Name: Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2-3 pounds sweet potatoes; 1/4 cup half and half; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoons salted butter; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

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There’s nothing like a side dish of mashed sweet potatoes sweetened with maple syrup. These creamy potatoes are perfect for holiday meals and weeknight suppers.

You can find sweet potatoes in many different forms on our site…in chili, in pretty swirls, baked in casseroles and even in bread. What we were lacking was a basic mashed sweet potato recipe, so that’s what we’re sharing today!

bowl of mashed sweet potatoes with butter

Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

When my kids request mashed potatoes, they are usually thinking potatoes of the white variety. Every now and then I surprise them with these lightly sweetened mashed sweet potatoes that will literally melt in their mouths. It’s hard not to love sweet potatoes when they are flavored with maple syrup and seasoned with a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Total comfort food!

Are sweet potatoes healthy for you?

We are often asked if sweet potatoes are healthier than white potatoes. Although sweet potatoes have more natural sugars in them than white potatoes, they are high in fiber and potassium. They have many health benefits so are often thought of as the “healthy” potato.

Do I need to peel sweet potatoes for mashing?

Yes! Peel the potatoes first, then cube them. Then boil them in water. This is the fastest way to make sweet potatoes. Sweet potato skin is a little tougher than white potato skin so you’ll want to be sure it is all peeled off.

collage of mashing sweet potatoes

How long does it take to boil sweet potatoes for mashing?

The exact amount of time it takes to boil sweet potatoes for mashing depends on the size of the cubes you cut. In general, plan 15-20 minutes of boiling time to get the potatoes to fork-tender.

What can I add to mashed sweet potatoes?

As with any mashed potato recipe, half and half cream and milk are excellent for the beautifully creamy texture. In this recipe we add maple syrup for a uniquely sweet flavor, plus a touch of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Use more of these spices if you’d like an extra flavor pop.

Other optional add ins:

honey
brown sugar
vanilla
white sugar

Can you make mashed sweet potatoes ahead of time?

Yes! Mashed sweet potatoes can be made in advance and reheated before serving. If you’re planning for a Thanksgiving or Easter meal, this is one of those great make ahead dishes. Keep extra butter and milk on hand in case you’d like to freshen up the flavor before serving.

How do you reheat mashed sweet potatoes?

Reheat mashed sweet potatoes by heating them in an oven safe casserole that you’ve covered with foil. Reheat at 375º Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes.

You can also reheat mashed sweet potatoes in the slow cooker on low heat. Add extra butter and cream if they start to dry out at all.

How do you make healthy mashed sweet potatoes?

This sweet potato recipe is one of the healthier ways to eat sweet potatoes. No marshmallows or brown sugar streusel here. If you’d like to, you can use unsweetened cashew milk instead of the cream. You can also reduce the amount of maple syrup if you’d like. Be sure to use 100% maple syrup to sweeten instead of maple flavored syrup.

Other Sweet Potato Recipes

For the fluffiest sweet potatoes, use a potato ricer! Find the one we have here.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

5 from 4 votes

There's nothing like a side dish of mashed sweet potatoes sweetened with maple syrup. These creamy potatoes are perfect for holiday meals and weeknight suppers.

Servings 6

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

2-3 pounds sweet potatoes
1/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons salted butter
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Fill a large saucepan with water and place on the stovetop over medium high heat to bring the water to a boil.
Peel 2-3 pounds of sweet potatoes.
Cut the potatoes in 1-1 1/2" chunks.
Once the water is boiling, place the potato chunks in to cook.
Boil for around 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Drain the water off the potatoes and place the potatoes in a large bowl.
Add the half and half, syrup, butter and seasonings. Use a hand mixer or a potato masher to mash the potatoes.
Serve warm.

Video

Notes

The calories shown are based on the recipe making about 5 cups of sweet potatoes, with 1 serving being ⅙ of the recipe. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**