If you’re new to the sweet potato recipe game, get ready to try the most satisfying, creamiest, mashed sweet potatoes on the planet! The combination of spices, maple syrup, brown sugar and butter makes this recipe absolutely irresistible and it’s bound to be a huge hit!
These creamy, buttery mashed sweet potatoes are a nice change from my much-loved instant pot mashed potatoes! Ultra-creamy and packed with flavor, these sweet mashed potatoes are seriously underrated in my book. Their deliciously buttery flavor makes them the perfect accompaniment to any main course.
I love to serve this sweet potato mash with the perfect porterhouse steak and some steamed vegetables for a super filling and wholesome family dinner!
How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Add sweet potatoes to the large pot of boiling salted water. Cook for 20-30 minutes until soft and tender.
- Drain and return to the pot.
- Mash or beat the potatoes until smooth, adding in the butter and letting it melt in.
- Add in the maple syrup .Mix and add brown sugar to taste.
- Add in some milk according to your desired texture.
- Serve!
Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
Sweet potatoes are actually a bit healthier than regular potatoes because they’re lower on the GI index and contain more fiber (although there’s not as much of a difference in the two types as people think).
This sweet potato mash will keep you full for hours and it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and an antioxidant called beta-carotene. Because sweet potatoes are low on the glycemic index, they keep your blood sugar levels steady by releasing sugar into your bloodstream gradually, which helps with regulating your weight and insulin levels!
However, when you add in all the sugar in this recipe…well… let’s just say that this is a version for special holiday meals! You can always simply cook and mash them with a little butter and the spices for a lower sugar version ( or hey, try some sugar substitutes!)
How Long Should You Boil Potatoes for Sweet Potato Mash?
Sweet potatoes actually don’t take very long to boil. The trick is to cut them into small chunks first, and they’ll only take about 20-30 minutes. You can check them after 20 minutes by poking them with a fork to see if they’re tender. If your sweet potatoes were stored in a very cold place or they’re a bit older, they might take a little longer, so always do the fork test to double-check.
To Peel or Not To Peel: That is the Question
Whether or not you peel your sweet potatoes before mashing is really down to personal preference. The skins soften when they’re cooking and they’re totally edible, just like “normal” potatoes! But if you’re going for a super smooth and creamy result then it’s best to peel them.
How To Mash Sweet Potatoes
How you mash your sweet potatoes all depends on the equipment you have available and the kind of texture you want. If you like a super smooth mash, always peel your potatoes and use a food processor to get them nice and silky soft. If you prefer your mash to be quite coarse in texture then you could use a fork instead. Or, for a more traditional mash like this one – use a potato masher or hand mixer so you have some chunks in the mash.
Happy cooking!
Love,
Karlynn
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 6 large sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons honey optional
- dash of nutmeg
- dash of cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk only if needed for consistency!
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and cook until they are soft and tender, anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size.
- Drain the sweet potatoes well and return to the pot.
- Using a potato masher or a hand mixer, mash or beat the potatoes until smooth, adding in the butter and letting it melt into the hot potatoes.
- Add in the maple syrup. Mix, then add in brown sugar to taste, you may not want them that sweet. If wanted, add in some honey to add another taste to it!
- Add in the milk if you need to, using more or less to achieve desired texture.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- You can adjust EVERYTHING in this recipe to taste! More or less butter, spices, syrup and sugar, everything can be made to your personal preference.
- You can use honey instead of maple syrup, or a little of each. It really comes down to what you love flavor-wise.
Nutrition
Don’t forget to PIN THIS RECIPE to your Side Dish board and remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!
Michelle says
About 30 years ago, a friend gave me a recipe for sweet potatoes that quickly became a family tradition, served at all holiday meals. My three children, who were very young at the time, all loved this recipe, one of the few dishes all 3 ever agreed upon. The sweet potatoes are cooked and mashed, as yours are, then orange juice, brown sugar, butter, pumpkin pie spice and the secret ingredient, bourbon, are added. Sprinkle coarsely chopped pecans on top and bake. Fantastic!
Kathy Baker says
This is almost exactly how I make my sweet potatoes. The only difference to my sweet potatoes is that I bake them with the skins on because I think they become a bit sweeter with a carmelized flavour. Everyone loves them that way, so I am the only one in the family allowed to make sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.
Karlynn says
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!