Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Egg

• It’s a complete meal in one pan. Less washing up means more time enjoying your coffee or relaxing. Everything from the potatoes to the eggs cooks in the same skillet, which also helps all those lovely flavors get to know each other.
• The texture is everything. We’re aiming for crispy, golden-brown sweet potato cubes that give way to a soft interior, paired with the creamy, rich yolk of a sunny-side-up egg. It’s a symphony of contrasts in every single bite.
• It’s incredibly versatile. Don’t have a red onion? Use a yellow one. Want to add some greens? Toss in a handful of spinach at the end. This recipe is a guideline, not a strict rulebook—make it your own!
• It feels indulgent but is packed with goodness. Sweet potatoes bring a ton of natural sweetness and vibrant color, making this dish feel like a treat while still being a genuinely nourishing start to your day.

Ingredients & Tools

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 500g), peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 4 large eggs
• For serving: Fresh chopped parsley or chives, hot sauce

Tools: A large (12-inch) cast-iron or non-stick skillet, a sharp knife, a cutting board.

The trick to a great hash starts with the potatoes—dicing them small and evenly is key for uniform cooking. And don’t skip the smoked paprika; it gives that incredible, almost bacony depth that makes this dish so irresistible. A little goes a long way!

Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Dice those potatoes evenly! This is probably the most important step. If your cubes are all different sizes, some will be mushy while others are still crunchy. Aim for a consistent ½-inch dice for the perfect texture throughout.
• Why a cast-iron skillet? It holds and distributes heat beautifully, which is essential for getting a proper, crispy sear on the potatoes without steaming them. If you’re using a non-stick pan, just be patient—let the potatoes sit without stirring too much to develop that golden crust.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. If your skillet is on the smaller side, cook the hash in two batches. Overcrowding will cause the potatoes to steam instead of fry, and we’re definitely going for fry.
• Room temperature eggs are best for frying. If you have a minute, take your eggs out of the fridge while you prep the veggies. A cold egg hitting a hot pan can sometimes cause the white to rubberize before the yolk is done to your liking.

How to Make Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Egg

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Simple Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette — The peppery arugula and sharp lemon cut through the richness of the hash beautifully, adding a fresh, light element to the meal.
• Buttery Avocado Slices — Adding some creamy, cool avocado on the side provides a lovely contrast in temperature and texture, plus it makes the meal even more filling.
• Toasted Sourdough Bread — You’ll want something to sop up every last bit of that egg yolk and any crispy bits left in the skillet. A thick slice of crusty, toasted sourdough is perfect for the job.

Drinks

• A Crisp Bloody Mary — The savory, spicy notes of a well-made Bloody Mary are a classic brunch pairing that stands up wonderfully to the smoky, hearty flavors of the hash.
• Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice — The bright, sweet acidity of orange juice is a timeless partner for egg dishes, offering a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.
• Hot Coffee or a Cold Brew — Honestly, is there any better pairing for a weekend brunch? The bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness of the potatoes perfectly.

Something Sweet

• Fresh Berry Parfait — After a savory meal, a light parfait with Greek yogurt, honey, and fresh berries feels like just the right amount of sweetness without being too heavy.
• A Warm Cinnamon Scone — The warm spices in a scone echo the smoky paprika in the hash, making for a very cohesive and comforting flavor journey from start to finish.
• Dark Chocolate Squares — A few squares of high-quality dark chocolate with your coffee is a simple, elegant way to end the meal on a sweet note.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Stirring the potatoes constantly. This is the number one reason hash doesn’t get crispy. You need to let the potatoes sit in contact with the hot pan to develop a crust. Resist the urge to stir for the first few minutes!
• Mistake: Adding the garlic too early. Garlic burns in a flash and becomes bitter. By adding it at the end, just before the eggs, you unlock its full aromatic potential without any of the bitterness.
• Mistake: Skipping the lid when cooking the eggs. Without a lid, the top of the egg whites will take forever to set, and you’ll risk overcooking the bottom of the hash. The steam is essential for perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs.
• Mistake: Not seasoning in layers. Season the potatoes when they go in, season the veggies, and then season the eggs. Building layers of seasoning ensures every component is perfectly seasoned, not just the surface.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Par-cook your sweet potatoes. If you’re really short on time or want to guarantee tender interiors, you can microwave the diced sweet potatoes for 3-4 minutes before adding them to the hot skillet. This drastically reduces the frying time and helps them get extra crispy.
• Tip: Get creative with add-ins. This recipe is a fantastic base. Try adding crumbled sausage, black beans, corn, or even chopped kale in the last few minutes of cooking. Leftover roasted chicken? Toss it in! I’ve messed around with all of these, and they all work wonderfully.
• Tip: Use a mix of potatoes. For even more complex texture and flavor, use half sweet potato and half Yukon Gold potato. The Yukon Golds get incredibly crispy and offer a more savory balance.
• Tip: Finish with a squeeze of lime. Right before serving, a quick squeeze of fresh lime juice over the whole skillet can brighten up all the flavors and add a surprising zing that really makes the dish pop.

FAQs

Can I make the hash part ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can cook the sweet potato hash (through Step 4) up to 2 days in advance. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the hash in your skillet until warm, then create the wells and cook the eggs fresh. This is a huge time-saver for busy mornings!

My potatoes are burning before they get tender. What did I do wrong?
This usually means your heat is too high. Sweet potatoes take a bit of time to soften. If they’re browning too quickly, reduce the heat to medium and add a tablespoon or two of water or broth to the skillet. Cover it for a few minutes to let the potatoes steam and finish cooking through, then uncover to let the water evaporate and crisp them up again.

Can I bake this in the oven instead?
You can! For a hands-off approach, spread the diced sweet potatoes, onions, and peppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toss with oil and spices and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, until tender and browned. Then, transfer the mixture to an oven-safe skillet, make wells, crack in the eggs, and bake for another 5-8 minutes until the eggs are set.

What’s the best way to get a runny yolk but fully cooked white?
The lid is your best friend here. The steam it traps gently cooks the top of the egg white. If you find the bottom is cooking too fast, you can also add a teaspoon of water to the side of the pan right before putting the lid on—the extra steam will help set the whites even faster without overcooking the yolk.

I’m not a fan of smoky flavor. Can I substitute the paprika?
Of course! The smoked paprika adds a distinct flavor, but you can easily swap it for sweet paprika, which is milder. Alternatively, try using a teaspoon of dried thyme or rosemary, or even a Cajun seasoning blend for a completely different (but equally delicious) flavor profile.