Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Looking for a cozy side dish that brings warmth and sweetness to your holiday table? These creamy mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg are the perfect blend of comfort and flavor — a lighter take on candied yams everyone will love.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 2–2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (1-inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Instant Pot
- Add diced sweet potatoes to the Instant Pot with enough water to cover them.
- Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes, then let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Drain well, then mash with a masher, hand mixer, or stand mixer.
- Stir in butter, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
Air Fryer
- Place whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 35–50 minutes until soft.
- Remove flesh, add to a large bowl, and mash.
- Mix in butter, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Stovetop (Boiled)
- Add diced sweet potatoes to a pot with enough water to cover them by 1 inch.
- Boil for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender, then drain completely.
- Mash, then add butter, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Pro Tips
- For creamier potatoes, add ¼–½ cup of heavy cream, milk, or dairy-free milk.
- To avoid watery mash, drain potatoes fully or bake/air fry instead of boiling.
- Adjust sweetness: start with 1 tablespoon of sugar and add more to taste.
Nutrition Info (per 1 cup serving)
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 152 | 2g | 19g | 6g | 3g | 8g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimates and will vary depending on your exact ingredients. Always check with your preferred calculator for accuracy.
