These Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes with cinnamon and brown sugar are a delicious alternative to regular mashed potatoes.  Blend perfectly cooked sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and half and half to create the most flavorful sweet potato side dish to go along with just about anything.

Looking for more sweet potato side dishes? You can also try our Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes, or these Sweet Potato Fries.

A serving dish full of mashed sweet potatoes topped with butter.

Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

If you love sweet potatoes but have never tried mashed sweet potatoes then you are in for a real treat.  This recipe easily earns its spot next to regular mashed potatoes at the Thanksgiving dinner table.  This sweet potato mash is buttery, creamy, and has just a hint of cinnamon to compliment the brown sugar.

We have gone beyond simple instructions to provide you with tips on different ways to mash sweet potatoes, flavor variations, and substitutions as well as the best freezing and reheating methods.  Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think!

sweet potatoes cooking in a pot with water.

If you’re wondering what to make with Mashed Sweet Potatoes, be sure to try our Oven Baked BBQ ChickenOven Baked Chicken BreastHoney Mustard Chicken, or some of our favorites such as TurkeyCrockpot Rump Roast, or Kalua Pork.

How to Mash Sweet Potatoes

First, you’ll need to cook your sweet potatoes.  This can be done by either boiling (as demonstrated in this recipe) or baking your sweet potatoes at about 400 degrees for 45 minutes – 1 hour.  

Once they are cooked, you have a few ways to mash your sweet potatoes:

  • We highly recommend using a potato ricer if you want the lightest and fluffiest Mashed Sweet Potatoes.  They are inexpensive and easy to use and perfect if you like your smooth mashed potatoes.
  • You can also use a hand potato masher, which is probably the simplest method and great for lumpy mashed potato lovers.  This way, you can mash your potatoes directly in the pot or bowl and you have a lot of control over how chunky or creamy you want them.
  • A third method uses a standing electric mixer with a paddle attachment.  This is the fastest way, but be careful not to overmix, or you’ll end up with a gummy mess.  Gummy mashed potatoes are often the result of overmixing, so keep a close eye on them if you go this route.

Key Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes – you want to look for small to medium-sized sweet potatoes with copper, red or orange skin.  For this recipe, we recommend removing the skin.
  • Butter – you can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe or olive or avocado oil if you want to be a little healthier.  You’ll need some for mashing into the veggies and some for a garnish.
  • Half and Half – you can also use milk or heavy cream.
  • Brown Sugar – we like to use light brown sugar, but you can use dark brown sugar if you’d like a stronger molasses flavor.
  • Cinnamon – This is an optional but delicious flavor to add.
  • Parsley – if you add parsley as a garnish, you’ll want to be sure and use fresh parsley.
sweet potatoes cooked, drained and butter melting on top, using the potato masher to mash with brown sugar.

How to Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  1. Boil the sweet potatoes. Place the diced sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until fork tender.
  2. Mash. Drain, then return the potatoes to the pot and add in the butter, half and half, brown sugar, and about 1 teaspoon of salt. Mash sweet potatoes with a potato masher or potato ricer, getting out all of the largest chunks and mashing as chunky or smooth as you like.
  3. Serve. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired, then scoop the Mashed Sweet Potatoes into a serving dish.  Finish with a pat of butter and chopped parsley if desired.  Enjoy!
mashed sweet potatoes in a large pot.

Recipe Variations

  • Garlic and Herb Sweet Potato Mash – for a more savory version, try heating about 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a saute pan and adding 1-2 teaspoons of fresh minced garlic along with 2 tablespoons of your favorite herbs (we recommend sage, rosemary, and thyme).  Saute for about 2 minutes until fragrant, then mix into your Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
  • Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes – instead of brown sugar, you can add pure maple syrup for a different flavor profile.  
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bacon  – cook homemade bacon bits (or better yet, make a batch of Candied Bacon to chop up!) and sprinkle a generous amount over the top of your Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you need to boil sweet potatoes?

Cook the sweet potatoes in salted, gently boiling water until tender or about 20-30 minutes. You can use a fork to test to see if they are tender enough.  You should be able to slide a fork in and out of the potato without it sticking.

Can you freeze mashed sweet potatoes?

Mashed Sweet Potatoes freeze really well, as long as the fat content is high enough.  So make sure to add plenty of butter! 
In order to freeze them, be sure to cool them to room temperature before transferring to freezer bags. Press them so that they lay flat and freeze for up to 3 months.  That’s all there is to it!

mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl topped with butter and parsley.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

  • Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: cool them to room temperature before transferring to freezer bags. Press them so that they lay flat and freeze for up to 3 months. 
  • How To Reheat Sweet Potato Mash on the Stovetop:  Transfer to a small saucepan and reheat over low-medium, stirring occasionally and adding extra butter or a touch of milk if needed.
  • To reheat in the Microwave: transfer to a microwave-safe dish and reheat based on your microwave’s settings (either half-power, defrost… whatever works best).  Make sure to stop and stir occasionally and add butter as needed.
  • To reheat in the Oven: Reheating any type of mashed potatoes in the oven is simple if you already have it set at 350 degrees for something else.  Just put the frozen potatoes into a covered baking dish, place them into your preheated oven, and heat for about 30 minutes, or until warm.  Once warm, you can mix in any additional butter or milk that you would like.
4.20 from 5 votes

Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

Author The Carefree Kitchen
These mashed sweet potatoes make a wonderfully delicious alternative to regular mashed potatoes.  We blend perfectly cooked sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and half and half in order to create the most flavorful sweet potato side dish to go along with just about anything.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Yields8 people

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes, washed, peeled, and cut into 1" cubes
  • 3 teaspoons salt, (divided)
  • 1/4 cup butter, (plus 2 tablespoons for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup half & half
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Place prepared sweet potatoes in a large pot, add 2 teaspoons of salt, and cover with hot water.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until they are very tender and no longer stick to a fork when poked.
  • Once cooked, drain the water then return the sweet potatoes to the pot.  Add in the butter, half and half, brown sugar and about 1 teaspoon of salt.
  • Mash sweet potatoes with a potato masher or potato ricer, getting out all of the largest chunks and mashing as chunky or smooth as you like. Be sure not to overmix or it will get gummy.
  • Scoop the mashed sweet potatoes into a serving dish and finish with a pat of butter and chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing leftovers: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
Reheating:  Transfer to a small saucepan and reheat over low-medium, stirring occasionally and adding extra butter or a touch of milk if needed. 

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 851mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 33004IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
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These Mashed Sweet Potatoes are buttery and creamy with just a hint of cinnamon to compliment the brown sugar. They make a simple and delicious alternative side dish to regular mashed potatoes.

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