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Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes are one of those sides that quietly save the day. They come together fast, mash like a dream, and can be flavored endlessly for a simple side dish you will never tire of.
Instant Pot "baked" sweet potatoes and Instant Pot mashed potatoes are staple sides I turn to on a regular basis. But when I want the sweet, earthy flavors of sweet potatoes in a creamy, fluffy consistency, this is the recipe I turn to!
Kristen's Key Tips for Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
For Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes that are always velvety and flavored just the way you like, pay attention to a few keys!
- Cut evenly. Cubing the sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces ensures they cook at the same rate and mash up beautifully.
- Flavor your way! I have provided suggestions for flavoring Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes AND using this recipe as a base for baby food or making sweet potato puree. It is endlessly versatile.
- Choose the right liquid for your flavor goal. Use water or apple juice for sweet preparation. Apple juice is especially great for a sweet touch, as it naturally boosts sweetness without refined sugar. And for savory mashed sweet potatoes, use water, vegetable broth, or chicken stock.
How to Make Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Whether you are are just learning how to use an Instant Pot or an Instant Pot pro, this section walks you through the step-by-step process to help ensure perfect results.
- Prep the sweet potatoes. Peel and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place into the inner pot along with liquid of your choice. 👉🏻Note on Liquid: Use 1 cup of water for a 3 or 6-quart Instant Pot and 1½ cups of water for an 8-quart Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook. Lock the lid on the Instant Pot, and use the manual or pressure cook button to set to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Release pressure. Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes. After that you can use the handle of a long utensil to knock the vent knob from the sealed to venting position. Remember to stand back to prevent yourself from the steam.
- Mash or puree sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are naturally creamy, so you can mash them by hand, use a mixer, or puree them without worrying about a gummy texture (a perk they have over russet potatoes). If you want fewer dishes, a simple hand masher works beautifully.
- Serve or flavor. Serve them plain, or dress them up with your favorite variation.(See below for suggestions.)
Flavor Variations
- Spicy: Add minced jalapeño and smoked paprika to the cooking liquid for heat lovers. Just a warning, it brings real spice.
- Extra Creamy: After cooking, mash with a splash of milk and a tablespoon of butter.
- Sweet + Cozy: Cook in apple juice or water, then stir in maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Apple Cider Mash: Use apple cider for cooking and season with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Tex-Mex: Season with taco seasoning, then mash with a little sour cream for tang.
- Bourbon Mash: Add a tablespoon of bourbon to the cooking liquid. Add cinnamon if you want a warm finish.
- Baby-Friendly: Cook in water or 100% apple juice and puree until smooth.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Ways to Serve or Use Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Not only are Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes a delicious side dish, but when cooked in water or apple juice alone, they can be used in any recipe calling for sweet potato puree.
- As a Side Dish: Mashed sweet potatoes pair beautifully with balsamic pork tenderloin, blackened mahi mahi, pork chops with apples, or air fryer chicken breast.
- In Recipes: Use plain mashed sweet potatoes as the base of sweet potato casserole, sweet potato pancakes, sweet potato biscuits, sweet potato oatmeal, sweet potato waffles, or even a sweet potato smoothie.
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes come together fast, mash like a dream, and can be flavored endlessly for a simple side dish you will never tire of.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1½ cups water, broth, or apple juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, optional
Instructions
- Wash and peel 3 pounds sweet potatoes, then cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place them into the inner pot along with 1½ cups liquid of choice and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
- Place the lid on Instant Pot and seal the venting knob or lock the lid. Using the manual or pressure cook function, set the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, you can opt to do a quick release of the remaining pressure OR you can allow for the pressure to release naturally on its own.
- Drain the potatoes, reserving the cooking liquid. Place the sweet potatoes back into the inner pot, and using hand-held masher, mash until creamy, adding some of the reserved cooking liquid until the right consistency has been reached. Alternatively, process cooked sweet potatoes in a food processor or blender and process with some of the cooking liquid until smooth.
- If desired, add butter, milk, and/or additional seasonings and continue to mash the sweet potatoes until they are creamy.
Notes
Storage: Leftover mashed sweet potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Cooking Liquid: Use water or apple juice for sweet preparation and water or broth for savory variations.
For Baby Food: Omit salt, cook in water (or 100% apple juice) and puree in blender or food processor until smooth.
Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Add 2 teaspoons minced jalapeno and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika to cooking liquid before cooking.
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.002gSodium: 319mgPotassium: 764mgFiber: 7gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 32176IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @amindfullmom or tag #amindfullmom!
I love smashed sweet potatoes and am making these tonight! I did notice your description and recipe summary say 10 minutes, but your directions state 12 minutes. I'm going with 10 because majority rules, but wanted you to know about the disparity.
Oh great catch Erika! I will fix now. 10 minutes is correct!! ENJOY!
I'm always looking for new ways to use my Instant Pot. I can't wait to try this!
I hope you enjoy Tayler!
Thanks for a great instant pot recipe!
You bet Taryn!