Maple Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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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.

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.

plate of mashed sweet potatoes with butter

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.
ingredients for mashed sweet potatoes with maple syrup and thyme

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.

piercing whole sweet potatoes with a fork

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.

slicing sweet potatoes open with a kniife

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!

scooping sweet potatoes from a bowl

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!
white bolw of mashed sweet potatoes

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.

fork taking a bite of mashed sweet potatoes with butter

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.
bowl of mashed sweet potatoes with butter

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.

bowl of mashed sweet potatoes with butter and a sprinkle of thyme

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:

Plus add your favorite holiday sides, such as:

bowl of mashed sweet potatoes with butter and a sprinkle of thyme
5 from 1 vote

Maple Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These light and fluffy maple cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes are a not-too-sweet vegetarian Thanksgiving side dish you'll love.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

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.
Nutrition Facts
Maple Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 220 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 21mg7%
Sodium 89mg4%
Potassium 539mg15%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 21619IU432%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 67mg7%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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