Courtney Cook Bales’ TikTok Video of Cheese-Stuffed Sweet Potato Goes Viral
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Courtney Cook Bales, a teacher and TikToker, has taken the internet by storm with her viral two-ingredient meal, a cheese-stuffed sweet potato. The simple yet delicious dish has captured the attention of millions of TikTok users and food enthusiasts alike. Bales shares videos of her everyday workday lunches, and her latest creation has sparked a trend on social media platforms such as TikTok.
Despite its unassuming appearance, Bales’ potato lunch has become a sensation online. The Georgia-based teacher initially shared a video of her lunch back in May 2025 as a way to connect with others authentically. Since then, her follower count has skyrocketed to 1.5 million, with her cheese-stuffed sweet potato video gaining significant traction across the internet.
Known for putting her own playful spin on traditional British farmworker dishes like the ploughman’s lunch, Bales’ latest creation features a sweet potato filled with German cheese. She first shared the meal on Nov. 13 and has since posted several variations, each racking up over 7 million views. Bales’ preparation involves baking the sweet potato at 300°F for 60-90 minutes and letting it sit in the oven for an additional 3 hours to achieve a syrupy texture.
In her viral videos, Bales demonstrates cutting a slab of Butterkäse cheese, a mild German cheese, with a spoon and stuffing it into the middle of the sweet potato before taking a bite. The hashtags #courtneycook and #sweetpotatoandcheese have seen a surge in posts, with hundreds of users replicating Bales’ lunch, including Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli.
Guarnaschelli joined the trend by stuffing a Japanese sweet potato with American cheese, giving credit to Bales for the inspiration. She praised the dish with a perfect “10/10” rating, describing it as a comforting meal. Even the cheese brand, Ammerländer, featured in Bales’ recipe, expressed its delight at the newfound popularity the viral video brought to their product.
Reflecting on her sudden internet fame, Bales expressed, “We are all navigating uncharted territories, and while opinions may differ, I choose to stay true to myself and inspire others to do the same.” She hopes that her videos will empower others to feel confident, joyful, and liberated in their food choices.
Amidst the online buzz surrounding her cheese-stuffed sweet potato, Bales remains committed to sharing her passion for simple yet delicious meals with her growing audience. As the trend continues to spread across social media platforms, it’s clear that Bales’ innovative culinary creation has captured the hearts and appetites of food enthusiasts worldwide.
In conclusion, the story of Courtney Cook Bales and her viral cheese-stuffed sweet potato serves as a testament to the power of social media in spreading joy and inspiration through shared culinary experiences. As food trends come and go, it is the creativity and passion of individuals like Bales that truly resonate with audiences seeking connection and delight in everyday moments.