Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

This recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes is a healthy, easy side dish that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish to prepare. With variations for seasonings, these velvety, creamy mashed sweet potatoes are a perfect complement to endless entrees.

No Instant Pot? Use my recipe for Stovetop Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Sweet Potatoes are one of my favorite things to make in the Instant Pot. From Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes to Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chili to these creamy, dreamy mashed sweet potatoes, I just love how perfectly the pressure cooker cooks sweet potatoes.

Notes on Ingredients

This is a basic recipe for mashed sweet potatoes, but I have provided options for adding unique flavors to the Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

• Sweet Potatoes: Any size of sweet potatoes will work, as you will be peeling and cubing the potatoes prior to pressure cooking. Remember, just like when making Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, it is crucial to cut your sweet potatoes into evenly-sized cubes so they cook evenly.
• Cooking Liquid: Use store-bought or homemade vegetable broth, chicken stock, or water. Apple Juice is another great option and works really well if you are preparing these mashed sweet potatoes to use as baby food or for a sweeter side dish.
• Salt: Unless you are on a sodium-free diet, I strongly recommend adding a bit of kosher salt to the sweet potatoes before pressure cooking. This will help to enhance the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes.

How to Make Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

While this recipe is incredibly simple to make, if you are unfamiliar with cooking in an instant pot or the functions of your instant pot, be sure to start with How to Use an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes.

• Wash, peel, and cube the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
• Add the cubed sweet potatoes, along with the cooking liquid of your choice, and salt to the inner pot.
• Place the lid on Instant Pot, be sure the venting knob is sealed or the lid is locked and set the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure using the manual or pressure cook button.
• Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally for at least 5 minutes. This will help prevent starch from spewing out of your venting knob.
• After 5 minutes, you can opt to do a quick release of any remaining pressure OR allow the pressure to release naturally on its own. For this recipe, it will not change the results.
• After the pressure has been released, open up the inner pot, and using a handheld potato masher, mash the sweet potatoes into the cooking liquid until velvety and smooth.

Ways to Flavor Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

This is a very basic recipe for mashed sweet potatoes, and while delicious on its own, you may be interested in trying out one of the following flavor combinations for your sweet potato mash.

• Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Add 2 teaspoons minced jalapeno and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika to cooking liquid before cooking. Be warned--These will be SPICY!
• Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes: After cooking the sweet potatoes, add ¼ cup milk and 1 tablespoon butter and mash until creamy.
• Sweet Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Use apple juice or water as the cooking liquid. Once cooked, add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg and mash as directed. Top with chopped nuts if desired.
• Apple Cider Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Use apple cider as your cooking liquid and flavor with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg before mashing. 
• Tex-Mex Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Replace salt with 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning. When mashing, add up to ¼ cup of sour cream to add tang to the sweet potato mash.
• Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Add 1 tablespoon of bourbon into the cooking liquid before cooking sweet potatoes. Season with a bit of cinnamon if desired.

Storing Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Leftover mashed sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Alternatively, freeze the instant pot mashed sweet potatoes in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. 

If you are using the mashed sweet potatoes as baby food, I recommend portioning out the cooled mashed sweet potatoes into ice cube trays. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and place it into the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen solid, pop them out and store them in plastic freezer bags.

More Instant Pot Side Dish Recipes

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
• Instant Pot Green Beans
• Instant Pot Baked Beans
• Instant Pot Risotto

If you enjoyed this recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.