Sweet Potato Apple Hash with Sage
Sweet potato apple hash is an easy one-pan recipe made with tender sweet potatoes, sweet apples and fresh sage. You only need 6 ingredients and about 20 minutes to make it, and the combination of sweet and savory flavors makes it just as good for breakfast or brunch as it is for a fall dinner or holiday side dish.
I’ve been making this recipe since at least 2015, and it’s become one of my go-to sides for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving and fall meals. I even gave the recipe to my sister when she didn’t cook very often, and she made it for Friendsgiving with no trouble and everyone loved it. The apples add sweetness, while the sage balances everything out and gives it that cozy fall flavor without making the dish feel heavy.
If you love sweet potatoes in a hash, try my sweet potato brussels sprouts hash next. Or if the apples are your favorite part, my apple brussels sprouts hash has that same sweet and savory fall combination. For another easy fall side dish, these maple mustard brussels sprouts are one of my favorites.
Ingredient spotlight
This is just a quick overview of some of the main ingredients. Please see the recipe card for the full ingredient list.
- Sweet potatoes: I usually leave the skin on because it makes prep so much easier. Just give the sweet potatoes a good scrub before cutting them into cubes. Any size sweet potato will work here.
- Apples: Choose an apple that holds its shape when cooked so you don’t end up with applesauce in your hash. Fuji, Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples are my favorites for this recipe.
- Fresh sage: Fresh sage adds so much flavor and a beautiful pop of color to the hash. It’s my first choice, but dried sage will work in a pinch. You can also use rosemary or thyme for a slightly different fall flavor.
Step by step instructions
Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes. 
Preheat a large cast iron skillet (or stainless steel skillet) over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Once hot, add the sweet potatoes and water and cover immediately. 
Allow the sweet potatoes to steam for 7 minutes on the stove. 
While the sweet potatoes are steaming, chop the apple into 1/2 inch pieces. I like so peel my apples but it’s not necessary. 
Finely chop the fresh sage leaves. I like to remove the very end of the stem then roll the leaves up together into a log. From here you can thinly cut the log into long strands, then run your knife over them to finely chop. 
After 7 minutes, remove the lid and add the olive oil. Stir well ensuring all the potatoes are well coated in olive oil. Cook 3 minutes. 
After 3 minutes, add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Cook over medium heat for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally so they potatoes don’t burn and start to stick. If you notice the potatoes starting to stick, you can turn down the heat or add more olive oil. 
If you notice the potatoes starting to stick, you can turn down the heat or add more olive oil. Once the apples are soft and the sweet potatoes are cooked through, serve hot.
Making this for a crowd?
If you’re doubling the recipe for a holiday, Friendsgiving or meal prep, I recommend using the oven instead of trying to fit everything into a skillet. Spreading the sweet potatoes and apples out on a large baking sheet gives them more room to cook evenly, and you don’t have to work in batches. I’ve included my oven instructions below.
Sweet Potato Apple Hash (20 Minute Side Dish)
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 small apples - fuji, pink lady or granny smith
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon. sea salt
Instructions
- Dice sweet potatoes into uniform cubes, about 1/2 inch each.1 pound sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat 2-3 minutes while chopped potatoes. Once hot, add potatoes and water and cover with tight fitting lid.1/2 cup water
- Steam the potatoes for 7 minutes with the lid on.
- Peel and chop apples while sweet potatoes are cooking.2 small apples
- Finely chop the sage while the potatoes are cooking.2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
- After 7 minutes, remove the lid and add 2 tablespoons olive oil to sweet potatoes, toss well to coat. Cook over medium heat 3 minutes.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- After the potatoes have cooked for 3 minutes with oilve oil, add the chopped apples, finely chopped sage, salt and garlic powder. Stir well.1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon. sea salt
- Cook for 5-7 minutes over medium heat, Stir occasionally to ensure sweet potatoes don't burn.
Recipe Notes
- Cut the sweet potatoes into similar sized cubes (½-inch) so they cook at the same rate.
- Use a large skillet with a well-fitting lid. The lid is important because the sweet potatoes steam during the first part of cooking.
- I prefer to peel the apples because the skin can stay a little firm once cooked, but you can leave it on if you’re short on time.
Nutrition Information
An easy way to add more vegetables
Sometimes I’ll add finely shredded kale when I’m serving this with dinner and want a little more color and another vegetable in the dish. Add the kale during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking with an extra pinch of salt. Make sure you shred it very finely so it has time to soften before serving.
Making a larger batch in the oven
If you’re doubling the recipe for a holiday, Friendsgiving or meal prep, I recommend using the oven instead of trying to fit everything into one skillet. Spreading everything out on a large baking sheet gives the sweet potatoes and apples plenty of room to cook evenly.
Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil and spread them out on a baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 10–15 minutes. Add the apples, fresh sage, salt and garlic powder, stir everything together, then return the pan to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
Oh my.. simply love this.. and amazing presentation
Yum! I love apple an sweet potato. Such a tasty combination!
This is lovely! I’m great at planning the meals, but I often slack on the side dishes. Salad is my default. I love how quickly this comes together. A great combination! I’m stopping by from Tasty tuesdays.
Yum! You seriously make the best sounding/ looking recipes! Love the apple twist in this!
We make sweet potato hash all the time but I’ve never tried it with apples and sage. Hello breakfast.
Don’t you just love what you can do with leftovers!! Must give this one a try :-)
Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
I LOVE sweet potatoes so much. It is such a shame that my boyfriend does not feel the same way!! I only make them on certain occasions.
Such a great fall dish. I actually pinned it:)
Favorite way to enjoy sweet potato is Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole. The more marshmallows, the better.
Well doesn’t this look just super scrumptious! Love the combo of sweet potatoes and apples- pinned for later so I can give it a try! :)
Now that is my kind of meatless Monday! I love sweet potatoes yummy yum!
this combo of apple and sweet taters has my heart <3 i love making roasted sweet potato wedges, they are the best!
Apple and potato perfection!!! Perfect fall side dish!
Yum! Apple and sweet potato is such a delicious combination. The perfect autumn meal :)
YUM. and considering that Alex and I are about to go apple picking (I hope, it is now supposed to rain during our trip), like to happen soon!