Healthy Black Bean & Bell Pepper Sweet Potato Nachos

These fully loaded sweet potato nachos are packed with flavor and even check all the boxes for a balanced and satisfying meal or snack! Black beans provide protein, sweet potatoes for energizing complex carbohydrates and that delicious, melty cheese provides that satiety factor (you know, so you’re not rooting around in the cupboards afterwards). I’ve added bell peppers for a boost of color and Vitamin C and green onion adds a punch of flavor and freshness.  Enjoy this fun twist on a classic dish that the whole family will love – trust me you won’t regret it!

When I started experimenting with making my own sweet potato chips, I wanted to find some fun ways that we could enjoy them as a family – besides a snack (although they’re pretty good on their own too, dipped in this French Onion Cottage Cheese Dip). I was having one of those days where I didn’t feel like cooking a formal meal, so I decided to turn those chips into fully-loaded nachos. 

The registered dietitian in me decided to toss some beans on for protein, diced veggies for colour and fiber, and I mean, you can’t have nachos without cheese—which also provide more protein and satiating fats to create a balanced dinner (more balanced meal inspirations here). 

The result was delish and it was such a hit with the kids. I don’t think there was a crumb left. 

One of the things I love about this recipe is that you don’t have to make your own sweet potato chips to enjoy this recipe! It works equally well, in a fraction of the time, with store-bought chips. I also love that you can get creative with toppings or even have the kids dress them up with their favorite toppings. 

Main Ingredients to Make These Sweet Potato Nachos

Sweet potato chips: Using sweet potato chips to make nachos is a delicious and nutritious twist to the traditional nacho experience. You can bake sweet potato chips yourself or you can buy a bag of your favorite sweet potato chips at the grocery store. 

Shredded nacho cheese: You can’t have nachos without the cheese! I love buying pre-grated cheese nacho cheese at the grocery store (highly recommend with tex mex for some extra zest) or you can buy your fave block of cheese and shred it at home. These nachos are delicious with cheddar, jack, or mozzarella cheese. 

Black beans: These little guys are packed full of protein and fiber (more on that here) and I love how they taste with all the veggies. You can substitute for another source of protein like ground round or ground beef, shredded chicken, or crumbled tempeh. 

Veggies: I used bell peppers to add some fiber and crunch to the nachos. I also love adding corn or even diced zucchini if I’ve got it on hand. Paired with the green onion, avocado and black beans, it’s like getting a mini salad in every bite. Feel free to experiment with others! 

Avocado: I love topping nachos with fresh avocado and green onion. The avocado adds a creamy texture to the crunch of the chips and is a great source of nourishing fats!

How To Make These Crispy Chips

Nutritional Benefits (Nutrition by Addition)

Sweet Potatoes: Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse. These nutrients contribute to eye health, support the immune system, and provide a satisfying dose of dietary fiber. Add them into chili (like this delicious slow cooker turkey chili) or tacos for an extra boost of nutrition!

Black Beans: Black beans are a quick and easy source of protein, fiber, and minerals. In fact 1 cup of black beans contains 15g of protein and 15g of fiber. They’re also rich in iron (approximately 20% of your daily requirement), folate (about 65% of your DV), and magnesium (nearly 30% of your DV). These nuggets of nutrition help keep us feeling both full and satisfied while also keeping our blood sugars level in between meals. 

Avocado: Avocados are nutrient-dense, providing a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. They are particularly high in potassium, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C, B-vitamins (B5, B6, folate), and magnesium. They’re also a great source of nourishing fats, which provide that satiety factor when we eat. 

Recipe, Kitchen, & Time Saving Hacks

I’m always looking for time saving hacks when developing a recipe. Here are a few easy things you can do when making this recipe:

Meal prep the chips: If you’re making your own sweet potato chips, make a big batch of them and use them throughout the week. I love doubling the sweet potato chips and using half for the nachos and the other half for snacks throughout the week. They’re delicious with this high protein french onion dip!

Kitchen tools are your friends: I love using my kitchen tools to speed up the prep process. For this recipe I highly recommend using a mandoline to slice the sweet potato into uniform slices and using a food processor to grate a full block of cheese. Yep, you can grate a whole block of cheese in under 5 minutes using the shredding dish of your food processor. Use what you need and store the rest in a reusable storage bag or sealable container. 

Buy pre-made chips and pre-shredded cheese: You can save a lot of time in the kitchen by buying ready-to-go ingredients. If you don’t have time to make your own chips or don’t feel like shredding a full block of cheese, buy them pre-done! 

If you make these Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos, it would make my day if you would leave a comment and/or star rating below— I love hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @lindsaypleskot.rd so I can see your versions! It makes me so happy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens! Xo