Build-Your-Own Sweet Potato Bar: A Cozy, Wholesome Family Snack or Side
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Time to Read: 6 min
Looking for a fun, healthy recipe for kids that feels festive but still packed with real-food goodness? This DIY Sweet Potato Bar is a cozy, customizable way to bring everyone to the table — whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner, prepping a family meal, or just need a warm, nutritious snack.
Using either baked or mashed sweet potatoes as a base, kids (and adults!) can build their own creations — from sweet to savory. Think mini marshmallows and maple drizzle on one end, and cheese and green onions on the other.
And because presentation matters, serve it all up in Ahimsa stainless steel plates and containers — sustainable, non-toxic, and stylish enough to make this family meal feel extra special.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Versatile: Sweet or savory — everyone gets what they crave.
- Wholesome: Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamin A, and natural sweetness.
- Interactive: Empowers kids to make their own choices and explore flavor combinations.
- Perfect for holidays: A fun twist on a classic Thanksgiving or winter side.
- Eco-friendly setup: Ahimsa stainless steel containers make prepping and serving easy and waste-free.
Build-Your-Own Sweet Potato Bar
5-10 min
45-60 min
3-4
Ingredients
Base:
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3–4 medium sweet potatoes (baked or mashed)
Sweet & Savory Topping Ideas:
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Mini marshmallows
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Chopped walnuts or pecans
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Sliced green onions
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Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
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Honey or maple drizzle
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Chopped apples or pears
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Cinnamon and nutmeg
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Shredded cheese
Instructions
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Cook the sweet potatoes:
Bake whole sweet potatoes at 400°F for 45–60 minutes until tender, or boil and mash for a smoother texture.
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Prepare the base:
Once cooked, place mashed or halved baked sweet potatoes into serving bowls, ramekins, or Ahimsa stainless steel bowls for a clean, elegant setup.
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Set up the bar:
Fill Ahimsa stainless steel containers with each topping option—the perfect way to keep ingredients separate and easy for kids to access.
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Create and enjoy:
Let everyone build their own bowl! Encourage kids to experiment with sweet or savory combinations.
Mealtime Essentials
Sweet or Savory? You Choose!
Sweet Combinations:
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Mashed sweet potato + Greek yogurt + chopped apples + cinnamon
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Baked sweet potato half + mini marshmallows + drizzle of maple syrup
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Sweet potato mash + chopped pecans + honey + pinch of nutmeg
Savory Combinations:
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Baked sweet potato + shredded cheese + green onions
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Mashed base + cottage cheese + pecans + a dash of black pepper
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Sweet potato + yogurt + walnuts + sprinkle of sea salt
Why It Works
This activity encourages kids to:
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Explore flavors — sweet vs. savory, creamy vs. crunchy
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Practice autonomy — they choose their toppings
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Enjoy nutritious ingredients — no refined sugar or processed snacks needed
It’s a comforting, creative, and balanced meal option that fits perfectly into the cooler months and holiday season.
Serving Ideas
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Holiday buffet addition: Add this bar to your Thanksgiving spread as a fun DIY side.
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After-school snack: Prep mashed sweet potato ahead of time, and let kids top it themselves.
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Family dinner: Perfect for picky eaters — everyone customizes their own bowl.
- Meal prep hack: Store cooked sweet potatoes and toppings separately in Ahimsa containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Sustainable Serving Made Simple
Using Ahimsa stainless steel bowls and plates turns this snack bar into an eco-friendly experience. Their durable, non-toxic design keeps foods fresh and warm, while making cleanup effortless — plus, they’re dishwasher-safe and plastic-free.
Store leftover toppings in Ahimsa containers and pop them in the fridge for easy reuse tomorrow. Nothing wasted, everything delicious.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
