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!
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
- 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
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.
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. 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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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:
- Can be swapped for vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative.
- Sweet potato skins may be left on but will make a more rustic, chunky, sweet potato mash
- For ultra-smooth sweet potatoes, blend with a hand mixer
- 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
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