Thanksgiving week in Boulder has a special kind of energy — crisp mornings, Flatirons dusted with early snow, students heading home, and kitchens across town warming up with hearty fall recipes. And this year, one dish is rising above the rest: Sweet Potato Crunch Bake.

This recipe is trending nationwide, blowing up on TikTok, showing up on Friendsgiving tables, and popping into early holiday menus. It’s everything Boulderites love — cozy, nutritious, inexpensive, and packed with Colorado-fall flavor. If you’re hosting, attending, or cooking solo, this is the dish that will disappear first from the table.

Whether you’re preparing a full holiday spread, feeding roommates, or keeping things simple but delicious, this Sweet Potato Crunch Bake is your Thanksgiving secret weapon.

Why Boulder Is Obsessed With This Recipe Right Now

In a town that loves comfort food with a healthy twist, sweet potatoes have always been a staple. Boulder shoppers already stock up on them at places like Whole Foods, Alfalfa’s, and the Boulder Farmers Market, but this year, the trend has exploded.

Here’s why this dish is everywhere:

• Colorado Fall Vibes:
Sweet potatoes, cinnamon, pecans, and warm spices taste exactly like November in the foothills.

• Wellness Meets Comfort:
It’s indulgent, but still fits the Boulder health-conscious lifestyle.

• CU Students Love It:
It’s a big-pan recipe that reheats beautifully — perfect for students cooking on a budget.

• TikTok & Pinterest Favorite:
National food creators have been pushing Sweet Potato Crunch Bake for weeks, sending searches skyrocketing.

Even better, it’s one of those dishes that looks gorgeous in photos — rich orange mash beneath a glistening pecan crumble. The 20-somethings love it. The families love it. And frankly, you’ll love it too.

(Here’s a fun read on why sweet potatoes have become a national wellness staple courtesy of the Cleveland Clinic, and another on the rise of Friendsgiving from Food Network.)

The Recipe: Sweet Potato Crunch Bake (Boulder Style)

Ingredients:

For the sweet potato base:
– 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
– 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or butter
– 1/3 cup maple syrup
– 1/2 cup oat milk or any milk
– 2 eggs (optional — leave out for vegan)
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– Pinch of nutmeg
– Pinch of salt

For the crunch topping:
– 1 cup chopped pecans
– 1/3 cup brown sugar
– 1/3 cup flour (or almond flour)
– 4 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil

Instructions

1. Boil the sweet potatoes until very soft — about 18 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth.
2. Mix in the maple syrup, milk, eggs (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Spread the mixture evenly in a buttered or oiled baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter to form the crumble topping.
5. Sprinkle the crunch mixture evenly across the sweet potatoes.
6. Bake at 350°F for 30–32 minutes until golden and bubbling at the edges.

Serve warm. Enjoy the compliments.

How to Give It a Boulder Twist

If you want to bring some local flair to your Sweet Potato Crunch Bake this Thanksgiving, try one of these Boulder-style upgrades:

• Add a drizzle of local Colorado honey
• Swap pecans for Colorado walnuts for a deeper, earthier flavor
• Mix in a splash of maple bourbon (a favorite among Boulder’s fall bakers)
• Top it with a sprinkle of toasted oats from the bulk section at Sprouts or Whole Foods
• Serve it with a side of fresh apples from the Western Slope

Little touches like this make the dish feel regional and rooted in the local food culture that Boulder is famous for.

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