Buffalo Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These delicious stuffed sweet potatoes are at the perfect meatless meal with tender baked sweet potatoes filled with delicious buffalo chickpeas. Everything is topped with ranch dressing and green onions for a meal that's filling, tasty, and packed with plant based protein. 

I am always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy buffalo sauce and lately have been thinking about ways to make meatless versions of my favorite buffalo dishes. For example, I love making these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. They are the ultimate recipe for meal prep in my opinion. So swapping in chickpeas for the chicken was a no brainer and the results were delicious. It's super filling, packed with fiber, and so delicious. 

The key to this recipe is making sure the buffalo chickpeas are super flavorful.  Simply tossing them in buffalo sauce isn't quite enough.  To make them truly taste great, they need a touch of butter and some additional spices. This takes them from something simple to something special. 

Then all you need is sweet potatoes, the healthy base for this recipe. Bake them in the oven, microwave, air fryer, or slow cooker. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Serve as an appetizer: This recipe can be a meal by itself but is perfect as a side dish or appetizer. To turn it into an appetizer, slice the sweet potatoes into planks and serve the chickpeas on top. You can also make potato skins topped with the yummy buffalo chickpeas. 
• Use regular potatoes: If you are not a fan of sweet potatoes, feel free to use red potatoes instead. These taste just as delicious but do tend to be a little higher in carbohydrates.
• Turn it into a quesadilla: I love buffalo chicken quesadillas now and then. This recipe is the perfect healthy, vegetarian substitute. Add your sweet potatoes to a tortilla with your desired cheese. Personally, pepper jack cheese is my go-to for making quesadillas. Assemble, cook, and enjoy!

Are stuffed sweet potatoes healthy?

Meals topped in buffalo sauce are almost always unhealthy but luckily, this recipe is pretty low in calories. It also features immune-boosting ingredients such as:

• Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins, particularly A and B6, minerals, and fiber, which promotes a healthier digestive tract. They can also help improve your immune system.
• Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are high in protein and fiber. Due to its popularity from the health benefits specifically protein, chickpeas have become the most common substitute for meat in a vegan or vegetarian diet. It is fairly low in calories, making it one of the best protein-filled foods that help manage your weight.
• Green Onions: Green onions, or scallions, can make up a hefty percentage of an individual’s daily fiber intake despite being mostly water. While this vegetable is commonly used as a garnish and adds aroma to any dish, its health benefits are not as well known. The acidity and other naturally occurring chemicals in this zero-calorie vegetable have been used to fight infections and improve your immune system.

How to add more vegetables?

If you are anything like me, you are always looking to add more vegetables to a dish. This recipe is great for adding more veggies. Here are some ideas:

• Stick to a classic buffalo wing combination and add some diced carrots and celery on top. This adds both crunch and flavor to the dish.
• Add some spinach to the chickpeas and cook until it wilts.
• Chopped cauliflower is a natural choice for buffalo sauce. Saute it in a pan until it is tender and then add it to the chickpea and buffalo mixture.
• Zucchini also pairs well with sweet potatoes. Add sauteed zucchini or even some zucchini noodles to the dish.
• Another super easy way to add some veggies is simply adding some cooked cauliflower rice to the chickpea mixture.

Side Dish Ideas Buffalo Chickpea Sweet Poatoes

There are so many options for these sweet potatoes, but usually I like to reach for something with fresh vegetables or greens.

• Roast up some broccoli or cauliflower to serve on the side.
• Make a big green salad to serve on the side topped with some homemade ranch dressing.
• Make a healthy kale caesar salad to serve on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do these sweet potatoes last in the fridge?

These buffalo sweet potatoes can last in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to four days. Because of this, they are also a great option for meal-prep. Just leave the ranch dressing packed separately and add the green onions right before serving. 

How can I make this recipe vegan?

To make this recipe completely vegan, you have to start with the buffalo sauce. Most buffalo sauce is naturally vegan, but always check the label. Then simply swap the butter and ranch dressing for vegan options.

Can I use another type of bean?

These stuffed sweet potatoes will work with any type of beans including white beans, black beans, and pinto beans. If you aren't a fan of beans, you could swap in lentils instead of the beans. 

How to add more protein?

If you want to up the protein in this recipe, consider adding some vegetarian protein like tofu, tempeh, vegetarian crumbles, or vegetarian chorizo. For tofu and tempeh, cook them until crispy and then add in the chickpeas and buffalo sauce. You can also serve these with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top to add some protein. 

Looking for more sweet potato recipes?

• Grilled Sweet Potatoes
• Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
• Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potato
• Sweet Potato Toast