These dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving favorite around here. Sweet potatoes simmered with coconut milk then whipped up thick and fluffy, and drenched with a maple syrup-pecan mix. So special for the holidays, and I just love them so much!
Truth is, I didn’t always adore sweet potatoes.Maybe it was just the specific recipe that graced our Thanksgiving table growing up, but I have, uh, non-fond memories of a sweet potato + brown sugar + marshmallows situation. Probably because I expected marshmallows and brown sugar – not the sweet potato part.
In adulthood, it took me awhile to come around to sweet potatoes. I learned that when sweet potatoes were prepared more on the savory side, they were ohmygosh delicious – and soon enough, I was in love.
For some reason, I’m especially obsessed with them this fall. I recently shared this sweet potato noodle recipe, and I’ve got several more sweet potato recipes in the hopper. Serious sweet potato kick over here. But no marshmallows in sight, thankyouverymuch.
Interestingly (ironically?) though, once I learned I liked sweet potatoes by enjoying them in a more savory way, I also came around to sweeter, er, sweet potato dishes. No, I can confidently say I will never enjoy a marshmallow-and-sweet-potato-bake sans 1980, but sweet potato pie, for instance? That, I can happily do.
These Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes are kind of a happy medium between savory and sweet. The potatoes read as mostly savory, but the maple-pecan drizzle adds the element of sweet – in a good way.
Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes Ingredients
We’ve got:
- Sweet potatoes – of course!
- Coconut milk
- Pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, a tiny amount of ground cloves, and cayenne pepper (for an addictive touch of heat)
- Salt
- Pecans
How to Make Them
They’re a cinch to whip up (literally)! Simply simmer the sweet potatoes and a few cozy spices in coconut milk until tender.
Then, you whip it all up and serve!
Did you know that one of the problems with mashed sweet potatoes is that a lot of the flavor in sweet potatoes can get leached out into the cooking water, then tossed out? No thank you! Well this super easy method solves that problem, because you just whip the cooking liquid into the whole shebang. So much flavor!
I think these coconut whipped sweet potatoes make the perfect Thanksgiving side. They should pair nicely with just about anything, plus they’re vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, so they cover a lot of bases. Everyone’s happy! Sweet potatoes for all!
Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into approx. 3/4-inch cubes)
- 1 14-ounce can coconut milk*
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/16 teaspoon a generous pinch ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
Maple-Pecan Drizzle:
- 1/3 cup chopped raw pecans
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Place a large pot over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes, coconut milk, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Remove pot from heat and remove lid. Let cool until a bit safer to handle – I give it about 5 minutes.
- While the potatoes are cooling a bit, make the maple-pecan drizzle. Place the pecans and 1/3 cup maple syrup in a small saucepan and set over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until warm and bubbling, a couple of minutes (depending on your stove top). Remove from heat.
- Using a hand mixer, whip the potatoes, starting on low speed and then gradually increasing to high speed to help decrease splatter. Be careful! Note that if you have a non-stick pan, you may want to transfer the potatoes to a bowl first so you don’t risk getting any teflon in your potatoes. Teflon potatoes bad!
- Taste the potatoes and add more salt if desired. Scoop into a serving bowl and spoon the warm maple-pecan drizzle over the top. Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
With you all the way !
This sounds so flippin’ delicious, I’m going to try it tonight! If I don’t have a hand mixer though, do you think a blender on a low level would suffice?
Hmm, I think that it might bind up in the blender. I’d say just mash with a potato masher and they should still be terrific!
This was faaaaabulous. I didn’t have any cayenne pepper and I will def get some before I make next time. Wonderful dish and a new Thanksgiving and potluck favorite!!
Thanks Amanda, so glad you liked the recipe! Yes – the cayenne gives it just a smidge of addicting heat, but I also like them just fine without it too. 🙂
Would a stand mixer or immersion blender work for this recipe?
Stand mixer yes, but I wouldn’t do immersion blender – I think it would be too thick.
Delicious! Almost too sweet I think I could leave out some of the maple syrup in the drizzle. I am going to revise my annual sweet potato casserole/pie recipe this year with this one.
Love this recipe. I do it every thanksgiving for my GF/DF husband! It’s a big hit with everyone else too.
I’m keeping it 5 stars because it’s so good, but one thing to note: the prep/cook time isn’t accurate. Plan for an hour by the time you peel, chop, cook and blend! 🙂
Hi Kailey! I’m so glad this one is a winner for you and your family! Thanks so much for the feedback on prep/cook time. I’ll take a look at that and revise. 🙂 Appreciate it! Happy Thanksgiving!