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    Home » Recipes

    UPDATED: May 4, 2021

    Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl

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    A warm and nutritious Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl has all the fixin’s you love. This healthy lunch or dinner is loaded with grains, veggies, potatoes, and a creamy tahini dressing. It’s easy, affordable, and delicious!

    sweet potato buddha bowl closeup image

    Say hello to your favorite new meal that’s never boring. This Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl is loaded with sauteed veggies, warm potatoes, salsa, and a creamy tahini dressing. Incredibly versatile, you’ll have an easy time switching things up!

    Most of this recipe can be made way ahead of time, making it an excellent choice for easy weeknight meals, Sunday meal prep, or lunches throughout the week. All of the toppings are filling and have plenty of nutritional benefits, meaning you’ll be completely full and satisfied by the time you hit the bottom of the bowl. It’s low in oil, naturally gluten-free, and of course, vegan!

    This more-exciting-than-a-salad Buddha bowl is a must-try. If you love it, you’ll also want to try my Meditterenean Bowl or Green Power Bowl. 

    Jump to:
    • What is a buddha bowl?
    • Are buddha bowls healthy?
    • Preparing sweet potatoes
    • How to make these bowls
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • Meal Prep
    • Tips and tricks
    • More easy dinner recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    What is a buddha bowl?

    Buddha bowls are usually a colorful mix of plantiful ingredients. Every bowl has an assortment of small portions of different vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, protein, and dressing. They make for a creative snack or meal for vegans, vegetarians, or plant-focused eaters. 

    But what does the Buddha have to do with them? No, there’s no real religious aspects to these bowls. According to this article by Healthy Way, Buddha bowl’s are supposed to be so full of healthy ingredients that it resembles the round belly of the Buddha.

    Are buddha bowls healthy?

    For the most part, yes! You just have to pick the right ingredients. For maximum health benefits, always include a whole grain, lean protein, leafy greens, and a wide variety of vegetables.

    Sweet potatoes are the ultimate Buddha bowl companion because they’re rich in vitamin C and B6, which can increase cognitive health and brain function. They also support your eyesight, immune system (thanks to their levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A), and gut health.

    Preparing sweet potatoes

    Just like white potatoes, sweet potatoes can be prepared in a variety of ways. When including them in a large salad or grain bowl, I prefer to bake them in an oven or throw them in my air fryer. Here’s how I do it:

    • To bake: Place the cubed potatoes in a large bowl and dress them with your seasonings and oil. Toss well to fully coat, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes at 400ºF or until they’re done to your liking.
    • To air fry: Season the potatoes without the oil. Place them in the air fryer basket and fry for 8 minutes at 400ºF. Shake the basket to move the potatoes around, then fry for another 5 minutes or until fork-tender.

    How to make these bowls

    Once your sweet potatoes are cooked in the air fryer or oven, you can make the rest of the bowl.

    • Cook the onions and bell peppers on the stove or add them to the oven with the sweet potatoes.
    • Just before the veggies are done, heat brown rice.
    • Whisk together your dressing ingredients.
    • Then divide the veggies, rice, and beans into 4 bowls. 
    • Top with sliced avocado, salsa/pico de gallo, cilantro (if using), and dressing.
    ingredients for the sweet potato bowl

    Ingredients and substitutions

    The potatoes are the real star in this bowl. Dress them up however you like or use the seasonings I’ve suggested here:

    • Sweet potatoes - So bright and flavorful, plus full of nutrients and vitamins. Butternut squash would also make a great replacement.
    • Olive oil - Or use coconut oil.
    • Garlic powder, salt, and paprika - The perfect seasonings to bake into the potatoes. Mix these up however you’d like.

    Don’t forget the rest of the ingredients! Use whole grains as a base, then continue assembling the bowls with your potatoes and lots of other veggies and protein. Here’s what I suggest using:

    • Brown rice (or other grain of choice)
    • Black beans
    • Onion
    • Bell peppers (red, yellow, and/or orange)
    • Taco seasoning
    • Avocado
    • Salsa or pico de gallo
    • Cilantro

    To finish, drizzle on a creamy tahini dressing, vegan nacho cheese sauce, or hummus dressing.

    sweet potato bowls

    Meal Prep

    Save yourself some time during the week and do some meal prep so you can have the Buddha bowls ready in no time!

    Make these ingredients in advance:

    • Roast or air fry the sweet potatoes
    • Cook the rice (or other grain)
    • Roast or saute the other veggies
    • Make the dressing and store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Tips and tricks

    • Customize your bowl by adding all of your favorites. The toppings and dressing can easily be adjusted to fit any style or preference. 
    • Want to add more protein? Add some tofu steaks, tofu crumbles, more beans, or tempeh on top.
    • Make it spicy! Include sliced jalapenos, season the potatoes with a little cayenne, and balance it out with a squeeze of lime juice over the finished bowl.
    • Is it best hot or cold? Buddha bowls taste great whether they’re served warm or after they’ve chilled in the fridge for a day or two. This makes them an excellent choice for when you need a grab-and-go lunch.

    More easy dinner recipes

    If you love how easy this recipe is, make sure you check out my other dinner recipes that will save you tons of time:

    • This Chickpea Thai Quinoa Salad is SO easy to make and the peanut dressing is addictive!
    • My Buffalo Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is ready in no time and is filled with veggies for a healthy take on mac and cheese.
    • This Southwest Quinoa is one of my favorite meal prep recipes. It can be made in no time by using pre-cooked quinoa.
    • My Butternut Squash Curry is a healthy and comforting meal filled with veggies.

    This Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl recipe not only offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures but also serves as a nutritious meal that can easily fit into a balanced diet. For those looking to enhance their intake of vital nutrients, incorporating the best greens supplements into one's daily routine can complement such wholesome dishes. By doing so, individuals can ensure they are receiving a spectrum of vitamins and minerals that support overall health, making meals like this Buddha Bowl both a tasty and smart choice for well-being.

    📖 Recipe

    Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl

    Author: Mary Ellen Valverde | VNutrition
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Course dinner, lunch
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 418 kcal
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    Ingredients
      

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    • 2 medium sweet potatoes chopped into 1” pieces
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil not needed if air frying the potatoes
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon paprika

    Bowls

    • 1 medium onion sliced
    • 2 red, yellow or orange bell peppers seeded and sliced
    • 1.5 cups brown rice (or other grain of choice) cooked
    • 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed, low sodium if needed
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
    • 1 avocado sliced
    • salsa or pico de gallo
    • clinantro optional

    Creamy Tahini Dressing

    • ⅔ cup tahini
    • ⅓ cup water more if needed
    • 4 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 tablespoon hot sauce optional
    • 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce if you don't need GF
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder

    Instructions
     

    Oven Directions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
    • Add chopped sweet potatoes, 1 TB of oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a bowl and mix well. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes (or until the sweet potatoes are done to your liking).
    • Add onion and pepper to another sheet pan with oil and taco seasoning and bake for 15 minutes.
    • Just before the veggies are done, heat brown rice in a pan or microwave
    • Whisk together the tahini dressing ingredients.
    • Add ¼ of the veggies, rice, and beans into 4 bowls.
    • Top with sliced avocado, salsa/pico de gallo, cilantro (if using), and dressing.

    Air Fryer Directions

    • Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Season chopped sweet potatoes with, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Put them in the air fryer and air fry for 8 minutes. Shake the basket and air fry for about another 5 minutes (or until sweet potatoes can easily be pierced with a fork).
    • Add onion and pepper to a pan with oil and taco seasoning and cook for about 5 minutes or until the veggies are done to your liking.
    • Just before the veggies are done, heat brown rice in a pan or microwave
    • Whisk together dressing ingredients.
    • Split the veggies, rice, and beans into 4 bowls.
    • Top with sliced avocado, salsa/pico de gallo, cilantro (if using), and dressing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 12gFat: 13gFiber: 16gVitamin A: 16678IUVitamin C: 102mgCalcium: 116mgIron: 3.5mg

    PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.

    Mary Ellen
    Mary Ellen

    Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. 

    Mary Ellen
    Website |  + postsBio

    Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them.Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. 

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