Tropical Sweet Potato Boats

Travel to the tropics with these fun, festive, and extremely delicious twice-baked sweet potato boats featuring coconut and lime flavors.

I've made mashed tropical sweet potatoes before but have never added them back into their shells.

I'm not sure why it took me so long to do it, because these Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with a tropical touch are a fun way to feast your eyes, as well as your taste buds!

**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Tropical Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes is available at the end of this post. OR Click on the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.

The ingredient list:

**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

• Sweet Potatoes
• Coconut Milk
• Butter
• Fresh Lime Zest
• Salt and Pepper
• Coconut Chips

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• serrated knife
• paring knife
• cutting board
• potato masher
• wooden spoon or spatula
• tablespoon
• measuring cups and spoons
• citrus zester
• party umbrellas (optional)
• Hawaiian themed serving platter (optional)

Why this recipe works:

1. The sweetness of the sweet potato pairs wonderfully well with the coconut milk and lime zest.
2. They're really fun and festive.
3. They can be made in advance and reheated as needed.
4. They can even be frozen!
5. They're super easy to make!!
6. Only FIVE ingredients (salt and pepper don't count)

I don't often take my food photos outside but these Twice Baked Sweet Potato Boats with a tropical touch were kind of begging me to get them outside in the sunshine where their colors could "pop" and you could view them in all their glory.

We ate these twice-baked sweet potato boats last night for dinner along with some swordfish I purchased at Trader Joe's, and although we were in still in Illinois the tropical flavor of our dinner transported us all the way to Hawaii, but without the lengthy flight, or hefty price tag!

This post is proudly linked to Meal Plan Monday.

Can these sweet potato boats be made with fewer calories?

• If you're interested, you can cut back on the calorie content by using lite coconut milk and then skip the use of the butter and coconut chips.
• I've used both the lite coconut milk and the regular coconut milk when I've made the tropical mashed sweet potatoes, and you really can't tell any difference in taste.
• For this particular time when I made these, I used the regular coconut milk because that's what I had on hand in my pantry, but given the option, I probably would always prefer the lite option.

What are some of the health benefits of sweet potatoes?

• Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin C and A. Both nutrients are extremely valuable for promoting a healthy immune system.
• They're antioxidant powerhouses that help protect the body's cells against aging and disease.
• Sweet potatoes are anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is known to accelerate obesity,  type 2 diabetes,  heart disease, and cancer.
• For additional information regarding all the wonderful health and nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes, check out this article on Health.

The easy instructions:

• Cook 4 medium sweet potatoes until fork tender and allow to cool until they can be handled easily.
• I cooked mine in the microwave, but you can also use the oven or grill. If using the grill, please use indirect heat.
• Once the potatoes have cooled enough to handle, use a serrated knife to cut a top slice from each potato.
• Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the insides of the sweet potato, but leave enough of a shell so the potatoes retain their shape.

• Place all the potato insides in a bowl.
• Season the sweet potato with salt and pepper.
• Add the coconut milk to the potatoes along with fresh lime zest.

• Mash the potatoes until they're creamy.
• Season the inside of the potato boats with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the mashed sweet potato filling evenly back into the potato shells.
• Add additional lime zest over the top of each stuffed potato.

• Dollop a bit of butter on top of each potato and return the potatoes to the oven to heat through.
• Approximately 15-20 minutes at 350-degrees.
• Once the potatoes are removed from the oven, sprinkle them with coconut chips (optional), and garnish with colorful drink umbrellas and lime wedges (if desired).
• Serve hot.

Can these sweet potatoes be made on the outdoor grill?

Sure! Here's how to do it:

• Scrub the sweet potatoes well, and wrap them aluminum foil.
• Place them on a very hot grill and roast for 40-50 minutes (covered), or until the potatoes are soft.
• Cool them until they're easy to handle and then proceed with making the filling as instructed.
• To reheat them on the grill, wrap them loosely in foil again and add them to a medium hot grill for approximately 10 minutes, or until hot.
• Garnish and serve.

Delicious luau dishes to serve with twice-baked sweet potato boats:

• Hawaiian Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich for the Slow Cooker from Six Sisters Stuff

• The Best Ever Tropical Fruit Salad from The Slow Roasted Italian.

And for your luau dessert:

• Cinnamon Sugar Sand Dollar Cookies (pictured below)

"Cinnamon Sugar Sand Dollar Cookies are super easy to make and are the perfect way to celebrate summer."

• Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies (pictured below)

"Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies are just what you’re craving when you need a little something sweet, and a little something rich and buttery."

• Pink Lemonade Cookies (pictured below)

"Pink Lemonade Cookies are perfect for any summer party, or colorful celebration."

You are cordially invited:

The luau was by far one of the best parties we'd ever thrown.

It's so fun for me to relive it all again by sharing the photos.

Hungry for additional BBQ side dish recipes?

• Popular BBQ Recipe Roundup (pictured below)

A BBQ is just as much about the side dishes as it is about the main course. With the help of this BBQ Side Dishes recipe roundup, your BBQ menu will keep your family and friends very full, and extremely happy!

Below is the printable recipe card along with the nutritional information for today’s fabulous and fun bbq side dish for Tropical Sweet Potato Boats. 

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy potato side dish recipe with a tropical twist as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!