By: Meredith Nguyen, L.Ac. Dec. 26, 2025
Winter has a way of slowing life down, nudging us toward warmth and comfort. In my family's kitchen, that means cozy butternut squash soups, veggie-filled stews, steamy cups of coffee...and soft, baked sweet potatoes. Yum.
I love how these simple ingredients not only look and taste great, but they do so much for our bodies. From the lens of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this recipe is especially beneficial during the cold winter months when our yang energy needs a little extra care. It's also qi-boosting, which means a gentle, gut-nourishing meal.
Keep reading to learn more...
Why I Love This Recipe: Let’s Talk TCM
There’s something about the hush of winter that makes me want to cook with more intention; to choose ingredients that feel like a warm hug for the body and soul. Lately, I’ve been returning again and again to baked sweet potatoes. The way they turn tender and golden in the oven, their sweet aroma filling the house. It's magic. In TCM, sweet potatoes are considered gentle, yet warming and grounding for the body. They specifically benefit the spleen and stomach—our centers for energy and vitality.
I love topping them with creamy yogurt. It might be cooling on its own, but paired with the sweet, warming notes of honey, it feels like the perfect yin-yang balance. Honey itself, golden and sweet, carries a quiet warmth that moves through the body, supporting and replenishing our body's energy, or qi. Sprinkling granola on top adds texture and a little crunch, grounding the softness of the potato and yogurt with earthy, nourishing grains. Use our Honey Oat Walnut Granola Crumble recipe here.
Then come the pomegranate seeds, like tiny rubies scattered across the plate. Their tart sweetness brightens every bite, and in TCM, they support blood and yin.
Cooking this way — slowly and thoughtfully — reminds me why I love these recipes. They are so much more than the meals we eat; they are nourishment for the seasons, for the body and the spirit. Each ingredient feels purposeful, each bite a little act of care for my body in the cold months.
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Breakfast Baked Sweet Potato with Yogurt + Granola Ingredients:
1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes, well-scrubbed
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 cup plain coconut yogurt, divided among bowls
2 cups honey oat walnut granola, warmed & divided among bowls
Why You'll Love This Recipe: Give Your Heart Some Love
Steady energy & blood sugar balance: Sweet potatoes offer complex carbohydrates and fiber, delivering slow-release energy and helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Rich in antioxidants: Pomegranate seeds and sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, helping to protect cells from damage and support immune health. They are also high in fiber.
Gut-friendly & protein-packed: Besides the digestive benefits of sweet potatoes, yogurt adds probiotics and protein, promoting healthy digestion and keeping you full and satisfied.
Heart-healthy fats & brain support: Granola contains nuts and seeds, providing omega-3s and healthy fats that support heart and brain health.
How to Make This Breakfast Baked Sweet Potato with Yogurt + Granola (Summary)
Slice sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and place cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 25–40 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized (time depends on sweet potato size).
Prepare homemade granola or warm up pre-made granola.
Top baked sweet potatoes with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola.
