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These are the perfect Maple Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes for Thanksgiving or any holiday celebration. They are buttery and fluffy with the best flavor from roasting the potatoes, then adding rich maple syrup and a hint of warm spices.
Table of Contents
- Best Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe for Thanksgiving
- Ingredients
- How to Make Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Tips for Success
- Other Ways to Cook Sweet Potatoes
- Can I Make this Recipe Vegan?
- Flavor Variations
- Storing and Reheating Extras
- Can I Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?
- Serving Suggestions
- Get the Recipe
- More Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes
Best Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe for Thanksgiving
These maple cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes are a family favorite Thanksgiving and holiday side dish at my house. They’re light, fluffy, and creamy, but not too sweet. Cinnamon adds a touch of warming spice to balance out the sweetness of maple syrup. Ultimately, these are the perfect sweet-savory pairing with turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing.
If you love the flavors of a nut-crusted sweet potato casserole, but want something a little lighter and less like dessert, this is a perfect middle ground. These sweet potatoes have a touch of added sweetness and delicious maple flavor that’s not overwhelming. And you only have to cook them once! Simply roast your whole sweet potatoes, peel them, and mash for a quick holiday side dish that’s mostly hands-off.
Plus, if you’re looking for some new ways to flavor or dress up your mashed sweet potato side dish, I’ve got you covered! Read on for easy ways to make this recipe vegan, to add some crunch or a bit of heat. This recipe has something for everyone at your holiday table.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make maple-flavored mashed sweet potatoes:
- Large sweet potatoes. Choose orange sweet potatoes or yams.
- Butter. Use unsalted, and let it come to room temprature before adding it to the potatoes.
- Milk. You can use any kind of milk you like.
- Maple syrup. Make sure it’s the pure stuff, not imitation!
- Cinnamon
- Thyme. I like to add fresh thyme leaves on top, but it’s optional.
How to Make Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Making whipped sweet potatoes is an easy and mostly hands-off process. After baking the whole potatoes, you’ll whip them with butter and maple syrup to a light and fluffy texture. Follow these simple recipe steps:
Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Prep the sweet potatoes: Using a fork or a sharp parking knife, pierce the skin of the potatoes all over.
Bake the potatoes: Place the potatoes on a baking sheet on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until you can easily pierce the potatoes with a fork.
Make the mash: Slice the potatoes open and scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Beat the potatoes with an electric hand mixer or mash with a potato masher until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve: If you like, top the potatoes with a pat of butter, and/or a sprinkle of pepper or fresh thyme leaves. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to make the best maple sweet potato casserole:
- Keeping the peels on the potatoes during roasting helps keep them moist so your mash is fluffy and smooth, not dry.
- Using real maple syrup will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. Anything labeled “pancake syrup” or “breakfast syrup” is an imitation of the real stuff.
- If you use an electric mixer to whip the potatoes, they get nice and light and fluffy. However, a potato masher will do the trick!
Other Ways to Cook Sweet Potatoes
I like the oven-roasting method of cooking sweet potatoes for this mash, but if you’re cooking these for Thanksgiving or another holiday, you may not have space in your oven. If that’s the case, use one of these five easy methods to make soft, tender sweet potatoes.
Can I Make this Recipe Vegan?
It’s easy to make this recipe vegan if you like. Simply use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of butter. And swap the milk with coconut milk or another unsweetened non-dairy milk.
Flavor Variations
Here are a few flavoring options to switch things up:
- Browned butter maple cinnamon whipped sweet potatoes: Start by browning the butter in a skillet on the stove. When it’s nice and caramel colored, remove the butter from the heat and use it as described in the recipe.
- Nutty mashed sweet potatoes: Sprinkle the top of the dish with toasted pecans or hazelnuts.
- Honey cinnamon sweet potato mash: Substitute maple syrup for honey.
- Sweet and spicy sweet potatoes: Add a dash of cayenne pepper with the cinnamon.
Storing and Reheating Extras
Store leftover mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To serve, reheat them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. You can also reheat them in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat. Just make sure to stir regularly to prevent burning.
Can I Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes?
Sure! To freeze, let the cooked sweet potatoes cool fully. Then place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months. Defrost the sweet potatoes overnight in the fridge and reheat as described above.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve creamy sweet potato mash with a pat of butter on top (try Cranberry Orange Butter!). It melts for added flavor in every bite. For an extra herby finish, sprinkle the dish with fresh thyme.
This dish has a place at any holiday table alongside classic main dishes like:
- Herb Roast Turkey
- Lemon Herb Crockpot Roast Chicken
- Air Fryer Ham
- Cranberry Garlic Crusted Prime Rib
Plus add your favorite holiday sides, such as:
- Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Gluten Free Stuffing
Maple Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter , softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons real maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- Additional butter for topping , if desired
- Fresh thyme leaves , optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Using a fork or the tip of a sharp knife, pierce the skin of the potatoes in several different places. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet on the center rack of the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until tender. Or use one of these other methods to make baked sweet potatoes.
- Slice open the potato and scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Beat with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve garnished with additional butter, if desired, and sprinkle of pepper or fresh thyme leaves.
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