Ultimate Skillet Sweet Potato, Apple & Bacon Hash: A Wholesome & Flavorful Breakfast or Brunch

Imagine waking up to the aroma of crispy bacon, tender sweet potatoes, and sweet-tart apples mingling with earthy herbs. This skillet sweet potato hash isn’t just a meal; it’s a vibrant symphony of flavors and textures designed to kickstart your day or elevate your weekend brunch. Packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients, it’s a truly satisfying dish that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.

For me, this incredible Sweet Potato Hash with Apples and Bacon was a culinary revelation. Before discovering this recipe, I wasn’t particularly fond of sweet potatoes. However, after trying it during my first Whole30 journey back in 2014, it became my absolute go-to breakfast for nearly six months straight. And honestly, it’s easy to see why I fell head over heels for it.

What’s not to love about a dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory? You get the comforting softness of perfectly cooked sweet potatoes, a delightful crispiness on the edges, and the juicy, slightly tart bite of fresh apples. Then comes the star: savory, richly flavorful, and irresistibly crispy bacon, all brought together with a hint of cinnamon, aromatic thyme, and earthy sage. Serve it with a perfectly cooked egg or two, letting that glorious runny yolk ooze into every bite, and you’ve got pure breakfast bliss. It’s a combination that truly “dies” for – it’s that good!

This recipe is the epitome of an easy, one-skillet breakfast, making it ideal for those leisurely Sunday mornings when you want something special without a mountain of dishes. It’s equally fantastic for hosting friends for brunch, offering a hearty and impressive dish that requires minimal fuss. Beyond weekend indulgence, this sweet potato hash is also a perfect candidate for meal prep. You can easily double the recipe and have delicious, nourishing breakfasts ready for the entire week, saving you time and ensuring you start each day on the right foot. Its comforting flavors and satisfying ingredients make it a versatile addition to any breakfast or brunch spread.

The flavor profile of this Sweet Potato Hash with Apples and Bacon is complex yet harmonious. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and apples is beautifully complemented by a whisper of cinnamon, which adds warmth and a cozy, autumnal feel. Savory thyme and earthy sage deepen the overall taste, creating a rustic and sophisticated blend of spices. And of course, there’s the bacon. Crispy, salty, and utterly delicious bacon, rendering its fat to create a fantastic cooking base and infusing every ingredient with its irresistible flavor. Let’s be honest, bacon makes everything better, doesn’t it?

Achieving Culinary Perfection: How to Make Sweet Potato Hash with Apples and Bacon

Crafting this delicious hash is simpler than you might think. The key lies in layering flavors and textures, ensuring each component is cooked to perfection before combining them for a truly cohesive dish. Here’s a detailed guide to help you create this breakfast masterpiece:

• Step 1: Crispy Bacon is Key. Begin by dicing your bacon into small pieces. In a sturdy medium skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Crispy bacon adds a crucial textural contrast to the soft potatoes and apples. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon, leaving behind the rendered bacon fat. This fat is liquid gold and will be used to cook the other ingredients, infusing them with incredible flavor. Set the cooked bacon aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease and retain its crispness.
• Step 2: Sautéing Aromatics and Apples. Into the hot skillet with the bacon fat, add your finely diced yellow onion, chopped apples (ensure they are diced into 1-inch cubes for even cooking), and a generous teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook this mixture until the onions become translucent and soft, and the apples begin to soften, usually about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. The cinnamon will bloom in the heat, releasing its fragrant aroma and coating the apples and onions beautifully. Once softened, remove this mixture from the pan and add it to the reserved crispy bacon. Set this combined mixture aside.
• Step 3: Preparing the Sweet Potatoes. Now it’s time for the sweet potatoes. If needed, add coconut oil or ghee to the pan to ensure there’s enough fat for the potatoes to brown properly. Once the oil or ghee has melted and is shimmering, add your peeled and diced sweet potatoes (also 1-inch cubes) to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring, allowing them to develop a nice sear on one side. Then, give them a good stir and cook for another 2 minutes. This initial searing helps build that desirable crispy exterior.
• Step 4: Achieving Tender, Golden Sweet Potatoes. Continue cooking the sweet potatoes, stirring them as needed every few minutes to ensure all sides brown evenly and they don’t stick or burn. The goal is to get them wonderfully soft on the inside with a golden, slightly crispy exterior. This usually takes an additional 5-6 minutes after the initial searing, totaling about 10 minutes of cooking time for the sweet potatoes. They should be fork-tender when done.
• Step 5: Bringing It All Together. Once the sweet potatoes are perfectly cooked, add the reserved crispy bacon, softened onion, and apples back into the pan with the sweet potatoes. Stir everything together to combine. Add your fresh sage and thyme. If you’re using fresh herbs, mince them finely. Stir again, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to warm through, for about 1-2 minutes.

This hash recipe specifically calls for fresh herbs like thyme and sage, which impart a wonderfully bright and potent flavor. However, if fresh herbs aren’t readily available, dried herbs will work beautifully and are a perfectly acceptable substitute. In fact, while I adore fresh sprigs of thyme for their vibrant aroma and visual appeal, I’ve often found myself out of them when making this recipe for photographs. In those instances, I’ve used dried thyme from my spice cabinet, and the resulting flavor was just as rich and satisfying. Don’t hesitate to use what you have on hand!

For those mornings when you’re short on time but still crave a delicious, homemade breakfast, here’s a pro-tip for efficiency: practice the art of multi-tasking! While your sweet potatoes are softening and browning in the skillet, you can simultaneously start preparing your eggs and brewing a fresh pot of coffee. This approach allows you to have all components of your meal ready at roughly the same time, meaning you can dig into your warm, flavorful sweet potato hash as soon as it’s done cooking, without any unnecessary waiting.

What to Serve with Your Sweet Potato Hash with Apples and Bacon

This hash is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of additions to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. While it’s certainly filling and delicious on its own, here are some of my favorite ways to complete the meal:

• Eggs, Your Way: My absolute personal favorite way to serve this hash is with one or two over-easy eggs, ensuring a perfectly runny yolk. The rich, creamy yolk mixes into the hash with each bite, adding an extra layer of decadence and flavor that truly elevates the dish. For those who, like my husband, detest a runny egg, an over-hard egg or softly scrambled eggs are equally delicious alternatives that still provide that essential protein and savory complement to the hash.
• A Dash of Heat: For those who love a bit of a kick, a generous dash of your favorite hot sauce is a fantastic addition. Frank’s RedHot is my go-to, adding a tangy heat that brightens up the entire dish.
• Cheesy Goodness (Optional): If you’re not adhering to a Whole30 or dairy-free diet, a sprinkle of cheese — perhaps sharp cheddar or a melty Monterey Jack — melted over the warm hash would be absolutely divine. Remember, you do you! Customize it to your heart’s content.
• Fresh Garnishes: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives adds a touch of brightness and herbaceous flavor, as well as a beautiful pop of color. Sliced avocado also makes an excellent topping, providing a creamy texture and healthy fats.
• Beyond Breakfast: While designed as a breakfast or brunch item, this hash is hearty enough to be served as a light lunch or even a weeknight dinner. Pair it with a simple green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ultimately, this sweet potato hash is so robust and flavorful that it stands strong on its own. Omitting eggs or any other additions is perfectly fine if you prefer a simpler, yet equally satisfying, meal. It’s a dish that truly caters to your preferences.

Other Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy this hearty and flavorful sweet potato hash, be sure to check out some of my other delightful breakfast and brunch recipes that are perfect for any occasion:

• paleo pumpkin waffles – A healthier take on a breakfast classic, perfect for autumn mornings.
• cherry pistachio yogurt bowls – A fresh, light, and vibrant option for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
• whole30 blender hollandaise sauce – Elevate any breakfast with this creamy, rich, and Whole30-compliant sauce.