If you love sweet potatoes but want to give them a bold twist, you've got to try my Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash! The natural flavor of the potatoes, enhanced by a touch of brown sugar, pairs perfectly with smoky, spicy chipotle. The combo creates a rich, creamy side dish that’s full of flavor. It's the perfect balance of sweet and heat, making it a standout addition to any meal, whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a Thanksgiving feast.
First published July 14, 2017. Last updated November 12, 2024 for imrpoved editorial content.
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat chipotle sweet potatoes
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose sweet potato mash
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- This easy side dish has a creamy texture and it's not too sweet for those who prefer a more savory dish.
- We love these on our holiday table but they're easy enough for any cozy family meal.
- Whipping the sweet potatoes gives them a light, fluffy consistency that fairly melts in your mouth.
The spicy, smoky flavors in the chipotle in adobo help to balance the sweet flavors of the potato and brown sugar while the cream and butter turn the entire side dish into a decadent treat.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
This easy whipped sweet potato recipe is the perfect side dish for fall and a great alternative to white potatoes. They are very versatile - here are some of our favorite ways to change them up.
- Spread in a greased baking dish and top with marshmallows. The extra flavor from the chipotle in this classic sweet potato casserole is an amazing combination.
- Use brown butter instead of the butter called for in the recipe. Just melt it and let it turn a beautiful golden brown. See the video here.
- Cut back on the brown sugar and add Parmesan cheese and a pinch of rosemary for a savory flavor that's great with roast chicken.
- Use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon.
- Substitute the canned coconut milk for the heavy cream. *Note this isn't the milk replacement in your dairy section. It will be in a can in the Asian food section.
- Substitute cooked carrots for half the potatoes and use milk if you'd like to lighten this up.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Bake the sweet potatoes - check out this tutorial for details.
Cut in half and remove the flesh from the skin.
Add all ingredients to the large bowl of a stand mixer. You can also use a hand mixer, food processor, or potato masher!
Start with the paddle attachment on low speed then switch to the whip attachment on high speed until light and fluffy.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Use maple syrup for part, or all, of the brown sugar for an extra-rich flavor.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
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🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat chipotle sweet potatoes
Store leftover whipped sweet potatoes in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze these for up to 3 months.
Marye's Tip o' the day
If you've got a lot of potatoes to do whip them in batches. The consistency will be more even and you won't have sweet potato puree flying all over the room.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- You can make these in a food processor but they will not come out as light and fluffy as with my whip method.
- Make sure they are fork-tender and very soft before you try to use them in this recipe.
- Chipotle is a great addition but you can leave it out if you'd like them just plain. They're still delicious.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Most of what we get in the US are sweet potatoes. Yams are starchier and have a bark-like peel.
If you got a little too much liquid in the sweet potatoes the best way to thicken them up, in my opinion, is to stir in a tablespoon or two of plain mashed potato flakes. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed. Be sure to give them time to soak up the liquid before adding more.
If you boil them they'll soak up water and could make your finished dish watery. That's why I prefer to bake them for use in recipes.
You can. The skins are edible but make sure you've really scrubbed them before using.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
Cook the sweet potatoes quickly in the microwave. It takes about 5 minutes for 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes to be cooked through and tender.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose sweet potato mash
Here are 5 tasty ways to repurpose leftover mashed sweet potatoes:
- Sweet Potato Pancakes: Mix with eggs, flour, and a dash of cinnamon for fluffy, sweet breakfast pancakes.
- Sweet Potato Gnocchi: Combine with flour to make easy, pillowy gnocchi—perfect with brown butter sage sauce.
- Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie: Use as a topping for a savory ground meat and veggie filling—comfort food at its best. Check out this sweet potato chicken pot pie.
- Sweet Potato Hummus: Blend with chickpeas, tahini, and garlic for a creamy, smoky dip. Perfect for snacking!
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
There are a lot of different varieties of sweet potatoes and any of them will work in this recipe. I like to use the orange-fleshed ones because I think they have a richer flavor.
I love serving this classic side dish during the busy holiday season, whether it's on my Thanksgiving table or just a plain comfort food dinner!
It's so simple but it's the best sweet potato recipe ever when you want something quick and easy.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 5 pounds sweet potatoes, cooked
- 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo, mashed to a paste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes to an hour - or until done.
- Remove the sweet potatoes and allow to cool enough that you can handle them.
- Cut the potatoes lengthwise and scoop out the flesh into a large mixer bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and whip until smooth.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve hot with butter.
Notes
- If you've got a lot of potatoes to do whip them in batches. The consistency will be more even and you won't have sweet potato puree flying all over the room.
- You can make these in a food processor but they will not come out as light and fluffy as with my whip method.
- Make sure the sweet potatoes are fork tender and very soft before you try to use them in this recipe.
- Substitute cooked carrots for half the sweet potatoes and use milk if you'd like to lighten this up.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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Chipotle Sweet Potato Mash
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Marilyn says
This sound yummy.
Taylor Kiser says
This looks so delicious! I'm loving the addition of chipotle! Such a great way to enjoy sweet potatoes all year long!
Marye Audet says
Thanks Taylor! 🙂
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
These sound like my kind of sweet potatoes...I LOVE that smoky flavor of chipotles!
Marye Audet says
Oh I do too!