Easy Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones

These Easy Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones reinvent the classic afternoon tea treat into something heartier, more nutritious, and packed with complex flavors. The natural sweetness of roasted sweet potato balances beautifully with sharp cheddar and fresh chives, while a touch of smoked paprika adds depth. Perfect for brunch, as an accompaniment to soups, or packed in lunchboxes, these scones offer the ideal balance between comforting and sophisticated.

I first developed this recipe when looking for ways to use up leftover roasted sweet potatoes. Tired of sweet applications, I wondered how they’d work in a savory baked good. The result was so good that my test batch disappeared before it could cool completely. Friends now request them for potlucks, and they’ve become my go-to hostess gift during the holidays.

What makes these scones special is their incredible versatility. They’re equally delicious warm from the oven or at room temperature, can be made ahead and frozen, and adapt beautifully to different cheeses and herbs. The sweet potato keeps them moist for days, while the buttery crumb satisfies like traditional scones without being overly rich. Whether you enjoy them plain, split and buttered, or topped with avocado and eggs, they’re guaranteed to become a new favorite.

Why This Easy Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones?

Selling Points:

• Unexpected flavor combination – Sweet potatoes and chives create perfect sweet-savory balance
• Meal-prep friendly – Stay fresh for days and freeze beautifully
• Nutrient boost – Packed with vitamin A and fiber from sweet potatoes
• Crowd-pleasing – Equally good at brunch, with soup, or as appetizers
• Adaptable recipe – Works with various cheeses and herb substitutions

What You Need for Easy Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ¾ cup mashed roasted sweet potato (about 1 medium)
• ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
• ⅓ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
• 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)

Optional Add-ins:

• 2 tbsp cooked, chopped bacon
• ¼ cup diced caramelized onions
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• ½ tsp garlic powder

How to Make Easy Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones

1. Prep oven and pan: Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, and pepper.
3. Cut in butter: Using pastry cutter or fingers, work butter into flour until pea-sized crumbs form.
4. Add mix-ins: Stir in sweet potato, cheese, and chives until just combined.
5. Bind with buttermilk: Gradually add buttermilk, mixing until dough comes together (don’t overwork).
6. Shape: Turn onto floured surface, pat into 1-inch thick circle, cut into 8 wedges.
7. Bake: Transfer to sheet, brush with egg wash if using. Bake 18-22 minutes until golden.
8. Cool: Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Perfect Savory Sweet Potato Scones

• Cold ingredients are key – Keeps butter from melting before baking
• Don’t overmix – Leads to tough scones
• Roast sweet potatoes dry – Excess moisture makes dough sticky
• Freeze before baking – For flakier texture, freeze shaped scones 15 minutes first
• Grate frozen butter – Easier to incorporate evenly

Substitutions and Variations

• Dairy-free: Use vegan butter and cheese with plant-based milk
• Gluten-free: 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works perfectly
• Cheese options: Gruyère, feta, or pepper jack instead of cheddar
• Herb variations: Rosemary, dill, or green onions instead of chives

Make a Healthier Version

• Substitute half flour with whole wheat pastry flour
• Reduce butter to ⅓ cup and add 1 tbsp olive oil
• Use reduced-fat cheese
• Add 1 tbsp ground flaxseed for fiber

Closing for Easy Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones

These Savory Sweet Potato Scones redefine what a scone can be—heartier, more flavorful, and packed with wholesome ingredients. They bridge the gap between bread and pastry, offering the perfect vehicle for soups, eggs, or simply enjoyed on their own. The make-ahead convenience and crowd-pleasing flavor make them ideal for entertaining, while their nutritional profile means you can feel good about serving them anytime. One bite of these tender, flavorful scones, and you’ll understand why they’ve become my most-requested recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions for Easy Savory Sweet Potato Scones

1. Can I use canned sweet potato?
   Yes, but drain well and reduce added liquid.
2. How long do they stay fresh?
   3 days at room temp, 5 days refrigerated, or freeze up to 3 months.
3. Can I make them ahead?
   Shape and refrigerate overnight or freeze unbaked up to 1 month.
4. Why are my scones dense?
   Likely overmixed or used warm ingredients.
5. What to serve with them?
   Soup, eggs, charcuterie boards, or herbed butter.
6. Can I make them smaller?
   Cut into 12 wedges or use biscuit cutter—reduce baking time.
7. No buttermilk substitute?
   Mix ⅓ cup milk with 1 tsp lemon juice/vinegar, let sit 5 minutes.
8. Can I add meat?
   Diced ham or crumbled sausage work well (reduce salt if meat is salty).
9. How to reheat?
   350°F for 5-8 minutes or toast briefly.
10. Can I use pumpkin instead?
    Yes, but reduce liquid slightly as pumpkin is wetter.
11. Why chill before baking?
    Relaxes gluten for tender texture and prevents spreading.
12. Best way to store?
    Room temp in airtight container with paper towel to absorb moisture.

These Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones represent the perfect marriage of comfort and sophistication. The sweet potato lends natural sweetness and moistness that keeps them tender for days, while the sharp cheese and fresh chives provide bursts of savory flavor in every bite. What makes them truly exceptional is their versatility—equally at home on a brunch buffet, alongside a steaming bowl of soup, or as a grab-and-go breakfast. Unlike traditional scones that dry out quickly, these maintain their perfect texture thanks to the sweet potato, making them ideal for meal prep. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with different cheeses and herbs, these scones are guaranteed to become a staple in your baking repertoire.

Easy Savory Sweet Potato and Chive Scones

Recipe by Alexandra SaricolCourse: All Recipes

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

• ¾ cup mashed roasted sweet potato (about 1 medium)

• ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup chopped fresh chives

• ⅓ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)

• 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)

Directions

• Prep oven and pan: Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheet with parchment.
• Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, and pepper.
• Cut in butter: Using pastry cutter or fingers, work butter into flour until pea-sized crumbs form.
• Add mix-ins: Stir in sweet potato, cheese, and chives until just combined.
• Bind with buttermilk: Gradually add buttermilk, mixing until dough comes together (don’t overwork).
• Shape: Turn onto floured surface, pat into 1-inch thick circle, cut into 8 wedges.
• Bake: Transfer to sheet, brush with egg wash if using. Bake 18-22 minutes until golden.
• Cool: Let rest 5 minutes before serving.