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5
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Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Gluten Free Gluten Free Nut Free Nut Free
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise BustardLeave a Comment
Posted: 12/10/21 Updated: 12/10/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These easy mashed sweet potatoes are buttery and slightly sweet with an ultra-smooth and creamy texture! Made with 6 simple ingredients, they are quick to prepare and can be prepped ahead.

Every holiday table needs a mash of some kind - whether it’s parmesan mashed cauliflower, Instant Pot mashed potatoes, or these easy mashed sweet potatoes! 

mashed sweet potatoes in bowl with melted butter on top
Jump to... show
1 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
2 Recipe Video
3 ingredients Notes
4 Step by Step Directions
5 Recipe Tips For Success
6 FAQ
7 Serve It With
8 Storage + Reheating
9 More Holiday Side Dishes
10 Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

The classic combination of cinnamon, maple syrup, and butter is what keeps us coming back to this easy and delicious dish again and again. Kids and adults alike will love these easy sweet and savory mashed sweet potatoes! 

This low-maintenance holiday side dish is ready in 30 minutes. Best of all, you can prep these mashed sweet potatoes ahead of time and reheat them later - making them ideal for a holiday gathering or weeknight dinner.

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  • with cinnamon and maple flavors they are slightly sweet, buttery, and so luxurious 
  • you only need 6 simple ingredients and 30 minutes to prep them
  • you can make them ahead and reheat

Recipe Video

Watch the video below to see exactly how to make these mashed sweet potatoes. You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.

ingredients Notes

ingredients needed for how to make mashed sweet potatoes
  • Sweet potatoes - 2 lbs which was roughly 5 small sweet potatoes
  • Butter - to add a rich buttery flavor. You could swap for vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative. 
  • Salt - to bring out all the other flavors
  • Cinnamon - complements the sweet flavors and maple syrup
  • Maple syrup - adds some subtle sweetness without any refined sugar
  • Milk - adds creamy smooth flavor and texture. You can swap for non-dairy milk such as coconut or almond milk (unsweetened) if you prefer!

Step by Step Directions

peeled sweet potatoes chopped into large 2 inch cubes on wooden cutting board from above

Prepare

Peel sweet potatoes (if desired) and cut into 2-inch cubes.

Note -  sweet potato skins may be left on, but this will make a more rustic, chunky, sweet potato mash.

sweet potato chunks in steamer basket after cooking for mashed sweet potatoes

steam

Add 2 cups of water to a pot, then insert a steamer basket. Add the sweet potato cubes to the steamer basket. Cover, bring water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Cook time will depend on the size and quantity of your sweet potatoes.

When a fork inserts easily into the sweet potatoes, transfer sweet potatoes to a large bowl.

mashed sweet potato in a large metal bowl from above, with potato masher

Mash

With a potato masher, mash until smooth. Add the butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Continue mashing until butter is melted and spices are mixed in. Add the milk, and stir until smooth.

Tip - for ultra-smooth sweet potatoes, blend with a hand mixer


close up view of creamy mashed sweet potatoes on spoon

Recipe Tips For Success

  • Potato skin - for silkiest smooth sweet potato mash, you will want to peel the skins off. If you don't mind some lumps, you can leave the skins on.
  • Cooking method -  this recipe steams the sweet potatoes to preserve the nutrients, but if you don't have a steamer basket, you could boil them instead.
  • Doneness - make sure your sweet potatoes are nice and soft when you mash them, otherwise, they will not be as creamy smooth.
  • Hand mixer - if you want them extra smooth, you can use a hand mixer to blend them up.

FAQ

Can I turn this into a savory sweet potato mash? 

Yes, you definitely could do that! Check out our favorite simple cajun sweet potato mash recipe. We also sometimes mash with greek yogurt and garlic salt.

Can I freeze sweet potato mash?

This should work! After all, these enchilada stuffed sweet potatoes are one of my favorite freezer meals. Your sweet potatoes may end up slightly watery after thawing, but reheating in a pan should help that extra liquid to evaporate.

Can I cook this in the slow cooker? Instant Pot? Microwave?

Yes, yes, and yes! Cook your sweet potatoes whole, then remove the skin before mashing with the other ingredients in this recipe. Here are some resources for you:
• Perfect Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
• Ultra Creamy Crockpot Sweet Potatoes
• How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave
• How to bake sweet potatoes

wild rice pilaf on spoon

Serve It With

While we do love this as a weeknight side dish, here are some more holiday-worthy recipes that would also go well with it:

  • Brussels sprouts butternut squash gratin
  • Cranberry almond rice pilaf
  • Herb & garlic potato stacks
  • Crock Pot ham with spiced honey
  • Dry brined turkey
  • Shaved brussels sprouts salad with pomegranates

Storage + Reheating

  • Fridge - Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.  
  • Freeze - We have not tested freezing this recipe to store for meal prep, but it should work out! Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. When reheating, your previously frozen sweet potato may end up watery - but reheating in an open frying pan should help to evaporate some of the liquid.  
  • Reheat - Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove, adding extra milk as needed.
Multi-colored honey roasted carrots on a white plate

More Holiday Side Dishes

  • Whole roasted cauliflower 
  • Twice baked sweet potato casserole  
  • Make ahead honey roasted carrots 
  • Instant Pot mashed cauliflower 
  • Make ahead apple sage stuffing 
  • Creamy parmesan Instant Pot mashed cauliflower 

 

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

close up shot of mashed sweet potatoes with butter in a white bowl

Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Print Rate
These easy mashed sweet potatoes are buttery and slightly sweet with an ultra-smooth and creamy texture! Made with 6 simple ingredients, they are quick to prepare and can be prepped ahead.
4 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs sweet potatoes roughly 5 small sweet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons butter * see note 1
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup milk

Instructions 

  • Prepare - Peel sweet potatoes (if desired; * see note 2 ), and cut into 2 inch cubes.
  • Steam - Add 2 cups of water to a pot, then insert a steamer basket. Add the sweet potato cubes to the steamer basket. Cover, bring water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Cook time will depend on the size and quantity of your sweet potatoes.
    When a fork inserts easily into the sweet potatoes, transfer sweet potatoes to a large bowl.
  • Mash - With a potato masher, mash until smooth. *See note 3* Add the butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
    Continue mashing until butter is melted and spices are mixed in. Add the milk, and stir until smooth.

Tips:

  1. Can be swapped for vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative.
  2. Sweet potato skins may be left on but will make a more rustic, chunky, sweet potato mash
  3. For ultra-smooth sweet potatoes, blend with a hand mixer
Storage + Reheating 
  • Fridge - Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.  
  • Freeze - We have not tested freezing this recipe to store for meal prep, but it should work out! Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. When reheating, your previously frozen sweet potato may end up watery - but reheating in an open frying pan should help to evaporate some of the liquid.  
  • Reheat - Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove, adding extra milk as needed.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 141kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 164mg, Potassium: 403mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 16188IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 48mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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