Try our Buttery Whipped Sweet Potatoes, set to star in your next meal. This recipe turns simple sweet potatoes into a smooth and creamy side, perfect with any main dish.
Brown sugar, marshmallows, and molasses are so last year! Healthy is in and you're going to love this dish!
Jump to:
- How to Select Sweet Potatoes at The Market
- What You Need
- Equipment Needed
- Should I Roast or Boil Sweet Potatoes?
- How To Roast The Potatoes
- If You Want to Steam the Potatoes
- How to Whip The Sweet Potatoes
- Storage and Freezing
- How To Garnish Whipped Sweet Potatoes
- Key Takeaway
- What Goes with Whipped Sweet Potatoes
- FAQ
- Recommended
- Buttery Whipped Sweet Potatoes
The best Buttery Whipped Sweet Potatoes recipe is right here. A velvety and luscious side dish made with baked sweet potatoes for maximum flavor.
Although we prefer the taste of baked sweet potatoes, I have also included instructions for steamed sweet potatoes.
This Thanksgiving staple is seasoned with butter, pumpkin pie spice, real maple syrup, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. No sugar is added.
How to Select Sweet Potatoes at The Market
Sweet potatoes are available year-round, with their peak season in autumn. Select medium-sized potatoes with smooth skin and no blemishes, soft spots, or cracks.
Store sweet potatoes for up to two weeks in a cool, well-ventilated place, such as your pantry. Refrigeration can alter their texture and cause the natural starches to convert into sugar.
What You Need
- Orange sweet potatoes (white or purple sweet potatoes can be used too)
- Unsalted butter or olive oil
- Olive oil (if roasting the potatoes)
- Milk, cream, half and half, or almond milk
- Pure maple syrup
- Pumpkin pie seasoning (you can sub individual spices, see recipe card)
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, thyme, or sage leaves)
Equipment Needed
- Sheet pan with parchment paper
- Chef's knife
- Paring knife
- Handheld potato masher, handheld electric mixer, or standing mixer.
Should I Roast or Boil Sweet Potatoes?
Here are instructions for both roasting and boiling potatoes. Although roasting is my preferred method for this dish, there are times—Thanksgiving being a prime example—when the oven is in high demand. In such instances, boiling the potatoes by tossing them in a pot becomes a better option.
How To Roast The Potatoes
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) with the oven rack placed in the center position of the oven.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes and pat dry. Cut the potatoes into quarters, lengthwise. Place the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and season with a little salt.
- Roast the potatoes for 30 minutes or until tender.
If You Want to Steam the Potatoes
- Place a steamer basket in a large pot. Add some water to the pot, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer basket when it's inserted.
- Add the potatoes and cover.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Steam the sweet potatoes for about 10-20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your sweet potato pieces. They are done when they can be easily pierced with a fork or knife.
- When tender, drain the water.
How to Whip The Sweet Potatoes
No matter if you've baked or boiled your potatoes, start by peeling them and then whip them up with either a stand mixer or a hand-held mixer.
In a kitchen bustling with holiday preparations, a hand-held potato masher can be your best friend. With it, you can easily mash and whip the potatoes manually, requiring just about two minutes of your time.
Once the potatoes are peeled, scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Whip for two or three minutes until you achieve a smooth texture.
Next, incorporate the remaining ingredients and continue to whip for an additional minute. Season to taste.
Storage and Freezing
Store your mashed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze them in small portions for a month or two. Defrost as needed.
How To Garnish Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Arrange the sweet potatoes in a large serving dish.
Use a large spoon to glide across the top of the potatoes, forming broad, smooth areas along with some deeper impressions. Drizzle melted butter over the top and observe as it seeps into the crevices.
Then add one of the following over the butter:
- Chopped herbs are used as a universal garnish. The bright green color adds a vibrant and fresh look to almost every dish. If you have some fresh parsley or thyme in the kitchen, chop it into small pieces and scatter it over the top of your dish.
- Maple Syrup and Candied Pecans: Try drizzling a little more maple syrup on top instead of butter. Then, sprinkle some coarsely chopped candied pecans over it for an extra crunch and sweetness.
- Caramelized Onions: Golden-brown caramelized onions give the dish a sweet and crunchy topping.
- Crumbled Bacon: Adding crispy, crumbled bacon pieces on top of mashed potatoes can add a little crunch and a smoky flavor.
Key Takeaway
Irresistible Butter Whipped Sweet Potatoes have a silky-smooth texture. This dish combines sweet potatoes with butter, milk, maple syrup, and just a hint of pumpkin pie spice to create a delectable side dish.
Making these sweet potatoes on busy weeknights has become a cherished routine in my household.
To achieve the smoothest texture, use a KitchenAid stand mixer or a hand-held cordless mixer. Hand mixing is possible but requires more effort to reach that ultra-smooth consistency.
To garnish the dish, try fresh herbs, candied pecans, caramelized onions, or crispy bacon. Make it fun!
What Goes with Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Of course, sweet potatoes go with Thanksgiving turkey!
However, they can be eaten year-round. They are the perfect complement to a variety of main dishes, including marinated chicken breasts, pan-fried yellowtail snapper, and seared chuck steak.
Happy holiday to all of us in Key Largo, Florida.🌴
FAQ
Sweet potatoes are characterized by their tapered ends and smooth skin, which can vary in color from white to bright orange. In contrast, yams exhibit rough skin and typically have white flesh while having a cylindrical shape. Additionally, yams are starchier and drier than sweet potatoes, lacking the sweetness of sweet potatoes.
Whipped potatoes are created by vigorously blending potatoes using a mixer or whisk until they achieve a silky and smooth consistency. Typically, this whipping process introduces air into the potatoes, resulting in a light and airy texture. This stands in contrast to smashed or mashed potatoes, which tend to have a denser and more substantial texture and consistency.
Recommended
- Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Acorn Squash with Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Buckwheat Stuffing Recipe
- Oven Roasted Spaghetti Squash
- Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
- Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots
- Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
For breakfast, don't miss our Pumpkin Muffins! They're moist and packed with flavor!
Buttery Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Parchment Paper
- Chef's Knife
- Large spoon
- Handheld potato masher, stand mixer, or handheld mixer
- Rubber spatula
- 12" baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons milk (or whatever alternative milk you prefer)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- sea salt
- black pepper
- Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, thyme, or sage)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit with the oven rack placed in the center position of the oven.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes and pat dry. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into halves.
- Place the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. Season with a little salt. Place the potatoes face down on the sheet pan.
- Roast the potatoes for 30 minutes or until tender. When a knife is easily inserted into the potato, remove from the oven.
- When cool enough to handle, scoop the pulp out of the potatoes into a large bowl or mixing bowl of stand mixer.
- Mix the potatoes for 2 minutes, or until smooth. Add remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Scoop mashed potatoes into a baking or serving dish. Garnish with finely chopped parsley or thyme leaves.
Notes
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- Place a steamer basket in a large pot. Add some water to the pot, making sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer basket when it's inserted.
-
- Add the potatoes and cover.
-
- Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the water to a boil.
-
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer.
-
- Steam the sweet potatoes for approximately 10-20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your potatoes. They are finished cooking when easily pierced with a fork or knife.
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- When tender, drain the water and proceed with the recipe.
