This Whipped Sweet Potatoes Recipe is easy and effortless to make, yet elegant and loaded with flavor! They are unbelievably fluffy and guaranteed to please! These mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect, delicious fall alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. And, this side dish recipe is easy enough for both weeknight dinners and your holiday table!
Update: This post was originally published in November 2017. I made edits to the post below to include more information about these easy mashed sweet potatoes. Plus, I added a recipe video to show you how quick and fuss-free these Sage Brown Butter Whipped Sweet Potatoes are to make right at home.
Hi, friends! So, things are about to get real. I just had to triple check my calendar, because even though I’m well aware of the fun fact that this year is flying by at warp speed, I didn’t believe my eyes when I saw that Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away. TWO WEEKS!! Seriously? How’d that happen?!
Hopefully if you are hosting turkey day dinner this year, you are starting to plan out your holiday menu. With that said, I feel like this is the perfect time to segue into talking about ‘taters. Last year, I mentioned that potatoes are an integral part of my holiday menu. I mean, a party just ain’t a party without some spuds, right?
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About these whipped sweet potatoes
Silky smooth, light and airy roasted sweet potatoes whipped with rich crème fraiche and studded with crispy, salty pancetta, earthy sage and drizzled with fragrant, nutty brown butter.
These whipped potatoes are rockin’ ALL the sweet and savory vibes, friends!
If you are looking for light, ultra-fluffy and decadent potatoes to add to your Thanksgiving table, look no further!!
On top of this sweet potato mash recipe tasting BEYOND delicious, it is also ridiculously easy to make! If you can turn on the oven and operate a food processor, you can make these spuds!
Speaking of the oven, you know how some mashed potato recipes come out bland and/or watery? NOT THESE!
Roasting the sweet potatoes brings out their natural sweetness and ensures moist, evenly cooked, airy (not watery) whipped potatoes!
FAQs: sweet potato mash
How to mash sweet potatoes without a mixer?
You can absolutely mash or whip sweet potatoes without a stand, or handheld, mixer!
In fact, I actually prefer to make these whipped sweet potatoes in the bowl of a food processor. I have found that using the food processor to whip sweet potatoes instead of a mixer results in a more evenly whipped, light and airy sweet potato.
How long will whipped sweet potatoes keep?
To store whipped sweet potatoes, make sure you follow the directions as written below and allow the potatoes to cool completely. Leftover whipped sweet potatoes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored mashed potatoes will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze sweet potato mash be frozen?
You can absolutely freeze mashed sweet potatoes, although their texture won’t be exactly the same once they are thawed and reheated.
To freeze whipped sweet potatoes, transfer completely cooled potatoes to a large, freezer safe zip-closure bag. Flatten the bag to get out as much air as possible before sealing closed and store the potatoes so they are flat (it will make them faster and easier to thaw). Store the whipped sweet potatoes in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating mashed sweet potatoes
Thaw frozen mashed sweet potatoes overnight in the refrigerator.
Once ready to eat, sweet potatoes can be reheated a few different ways.
- Stovetop: Transfer the sweet potatoes to saucepan and place them, covered, on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir the potatoes occasionally and cook until heated through. Add additional butter or seasoning as needed.
- Oven: Transfer the sweet potatoes to an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are heated through.
- Microwave: Transfer the potatoes to a microwave-safe dish and cover. Reheat at 50% power in 2 minute increments, stirring in between. The amount of time the thawed whipped sweet potatoes take to become completely heated throughout will depend on the amount of potatoes you are reheating and the strength of your microwave. (This is my least recommended method for reheating sweet potatoes.)
How to whip sweet potatoes?
These easy mashed sweet potatoes will be a lifesaver during the holidays! However, they also make the perfect side for weeknight dinners. Rich, creamy, dreamy and loaded with flavor, you will want to make this recipe again and again.
- Bake potatoes: Poke the potatoes several times with a fork and individually wrap each potato with 1 sprig of thyme in a sheet of aluminum foil. Transfer the pouches of potatoes to a baking sheet and roast in a 400-degree oven for about 1 hour, or until a thin skewer easily inserts into the potato with no resistance. Remove the potatoes from the oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.
- Meanwhile, cook the pancetta: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pancetta until crisp. Then, add in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Transfer the bacon to small plate and set aside. Drain the grease from the pan.
- Brown the butter: To the same pan, add the butter. Melt the butter, swirling the pan gently, until it turns pale golden in color, about 2-3 minutes. Add the sage leaves and fry until crispy, about 30-45 seconds. Remove the sage leaves to a paper towel lined plate. And then, transfer the melted butter to the bowl of a large food processor, or the bowl of a stand mixer (with whisk attachment).
- Whip potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and transfer them to the bowl with the butter. Add in the nutmeg, crème fraiche, ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Pulse or gently whip until incorporated. Add in the half-and-half, a heaping tablespoon at a time, and gently whip until combined. Stir in the crumbled sage, pancetta and garlic (reserve some for topping if desired). Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper, and consistency with more half-and-half.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl and top with crumbled reserved crispy sage and pancetta. Enjoy!
Tips for the best holiday sweet potatoes recipe
- The recipe below calls for 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, which is roughly 3 large sweet potatoes. But, the weight of 3 pounds is a rough approximation for the recipe! If you are a little light, or a little heavier on the potatoes, it is no big deal!
- While the recipe does use pancetta, you can absolutely substitute plain bacon if you would like! Simple proceed with the recipe as instructed replacing bacon for pancetta in the recipe.
- While I do recommend crème fraiche in this recipe, you can use full fat sour cream if you can’t find crème fraiche or simply don’t like it. If making the substitution, please be aware that crème fraiche is thicker, richer and less tangy than sour cream.
- The recipe below calls for half-and-half, but if you like richer potatoes, you can absolutely use heavy cream. The amount of half-and-half (or heavy cream) you use in the recipe will depend on personal preference and the desired consistency of your potatoes. I used 2 ½ tablespoons in mine.
- If you would like to drizzle the top of the whipped sweet potatoes with brown butter you can either reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the brown butter before adding it to the food processor, or you can simply make more brown butter.
- The recipe below serves 4-6, but can easily be doubled.
Put down the marshmallows, or whatever weird ingredients you add to your sweet potatoes, and give your potato side dish LIFE with these Pancetta & Sage Brown Butter Whipped Sweet Potatoes. Trust me, your Thanksgiving table DESERVES these ‘taters!
Until next week, friends, cheers – to terrific tubers!
Cheyanne
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More sweet potato recipes!
The best Whipped Sweet Potatoes recipe plus step-by-step video👇
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- baking sheet
- skillet
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Sweet Potatoes – cleaned (roughly 3 large potatoes*)
- 3 sprigs Thyme
- 3 ounces Pancetta – diced*
- 2 cloves Garlic – finely chopped
- 6 TBS Unsalted Butter
- 15 Large Sage Leaves
- 1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ Cup Crème Fraiche or Sour Cream*
- 2-4 Tablespoons Half and Half *
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bake potatoes: Poke the potatoes several times with a fork and individually wrap each potato with 1 sprig of thyme in a sheet of aluminum foil, folding the foil and crimping the edges to seal tightly. Transfer the pouches of potatoes to a baking sheet and roast for about 1 hour, or until a thin skewer easily inserts into the potato with no resistance. Remove the potatoes from the oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.
- Meanwhile, cook the pancetta: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pancetta, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until pancetta is almost crisp. Add in the garlic and cook, stirring, for another minute or until garlic is fragrant. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta and bacon to small plate and set aside. Drain the grease from the pan.
- Brown the butter: In the same pan you used to cook the pancetta, add the butter. Reduce heat slightly to between medium and medium-low. Melt the butter, swirling the pan gently, until the butter starts to turn pale golden, about 2-3 minutes. Add the sage leaves and fry until crispy, about 30-45 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sage leaves to a paper towel lined plate. (Reserve 4-6 sage leaves for topping and add roughly crumble the rest.) Remove the butter from the heat* and transfer to the bowl of a large food processor, or the bowl of a stand mixer (with whisk attachment).
- Whip potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and transfer them to the bowl with the butter. Add in the nutmeg, crème fraiche, ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Pulse or gently whip until incorporated. Add in the half-and-half, a heaping tablespoon at a time, and gently whip until combined. Stir in the crumbled sage, pancetta and garlic (reserve some for topping if desired). Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper, and consistency with more half-and-half.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl and top with crumbled reserved crispy sage and pancetta. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- The calls for 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, which is roughly 3 large sweet potatoes. But, the weight of 3 pounds is a rough approximation for the recipe! If you are a little light, or a little heavier on the potatoes, it is no big deal!
- While the recipe does use pancetta, you can absolutely substitute plain bacon if you would like! Simple proceed with the recipe as instructed, replacing bacon for pancetta in the recipe.
- While I do recommend crème fraiche in this recipe, you can use full fat sour cream if you can’t find crème fraiche or simply don’t like it. If making the substitution, please be aware that crème fraiche is thicker, richer and less tangy than sour cream.
- The recipe calls for half-and-half, but if you like richer potatoes, you can absolutely use heavy cream. The amount of half-and-half (or heavy cream) you use in the recipe will depend on personal preference and the desired consistency of your potatoes. I used 2 ½ tablespoons in mine.
- If you would like to drizzle the top of the whipped sweet potatoes with brown butter you can either reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the brown butter before adding it to the food processor, or you can simply make more brown butter.
- The recipe serves 4-6, but can easily be doubled!!
Nutrition
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I remember these potatoes fondly Chey! That pancetta, brown butter, sage combo is amazing! And I’m always more into sweet potatoes this time of year! Delicious!
Looks so creamy and rich tasting, might have to add this to the Thanksgiving menu!
Now, THIS is my kind of Thanksgiving recipe. True confession time – I’m not a big fan of Thanksgiving dinner. BUT, I always looked forward to the sweet potatoes. My family usually prepares SP with brown sugar and marshmallows but I’m loving the savory notes to this recipe! My kinda side dish!
These whipped sweet potatoes look absolutely delicious Cheyanne! I don’t know why, but I’ve never thought to roast sweet potatoes before whipping them. They look super creamy. And the pancetta is an awesome addition!
What a beautiful presentation of sweet potatoes!! That pancetta and flavored butter is just what these sweet potatoes need!! Delicous! Take care.
I can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving. It’s crazy! Cheyanne, these potatoes look awesome. I saw them on facebook and have been meaning to come over here and check them out. I love cooking with pancetta, it’s got such an awesome flavor! And I am a sucker for heavy cream, I don’t remember the last time I used half and half! Oh gosh, and the brown butter an sage…this is the perfect holiday side dish!
These are the most festive mashed potatoes I’ve ever laid eyes on and I love that you whipped them! The color is gorgeous and that crisp pancetta is the perfect savory element for those sweet potatoes! The brown butter and sage are such a great touch and I’ve got to make these!
This looks incredibly creamy and the color is beautiful! We always have regular mashed potatoes with our holiday dinners, but I need to switch it up wit the addition of this sweet potato dish! The brown butter, sage and pancetta sounds amazing, Chey!!
Seriously. Thanksgiving snuck up like a ninja!! Holy moly, Chey – these potatoes look AMAZING! I’ve been tired of my same ole same ole sweet potato recipe for the holidays – I’m going to make these instead!
So much better than a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows. Your savory versions sounds great and I’ve pinned the recipe.
Oh, boy! This look so yummy!
Cheyanne, no kidding – this year has gone by way way too fast! Two weeks till Turkey day – and Christmas is right on it’s heals! And, to make matters even more cray cray, my daughter suggested we put the Christmas tree up today -say whaaattttt??? I don’t wanna have Christmas zoom by too – though, lets be honest, I don;t seem to have mad-time-slowing-down skills – yet! 🙂
Buuuuuttt…. onto this delicious savory spin on sweet potatoes – wow! So loving the pancetta and herbs in this – I’d attempt to eat this without a spoon at your table but I might frighten your guests! Hoping your weekend is wonderful friend! Sorry I’ve been a stranger – but am so glad I stopped by and feasted (my eyes) on this!!!
XOXO
Yes. I’m with you here, Chey! The year has almost gone. I refuse to accept this sad fact. Where can I complain? Since we cannot do anything about this, the only one thing left is at least to enjoy the season (and food!) I do love sweet potatoes, but I always prefer savory versions. This one, with sage, pancetta, and browned butter, is the perfection!
Potatoes are a must at our Thanksgiving table too and I so love how you have transformed sweet potatoes into this amazing and elegant side dish! Pancetta is always a good idea and the sage and brown butter additions just take these so over the top in the best of ways! Bring on the holidays – I’m ready now! Have a great weekend my friend! XO
This is just gorgeous, Cheyanne! The thing I love about thanksgiving are all the gorgeous side dish – and this one is perfect and such a pretty color. And a big NO to marshmallows. I’ve had some sweet potatoes where the host has added orange juice and marshmallows – not good!
Definitely I am going to make this! So delicious! Look at that color!
Oh my! You and I are on the same page this week! I have a whipped sweet potato dish in store for next week! This is gorgeous and how I love these flavors! Cheers! xoxo
I wish there was a pause button in life to slow down time just a little! These sweet potatoes are calling my name! YUM! I’m normally not a fan of the mashed kind, but I definitely think I would devour these. Love the pancetta and sage in here, so creative! I need this for the holidays. Pinned! Have a great weekend!
I’m having a heart palpitation over the impending holidays. I really think time is actually moving faster and it has nothing to do with me just getting older. . .or that’s what I’m telling myself :). These potatoes have to be the best Thanksgiving side EVER! Brown butter and sweet potatoes? You know I’m in 1000%. Have a great weekend, girlie!
I totally agree Chey! How is it already two weeks from Tgiving?! I wish a could grab a spoon and reach into my screen and gobble up some of these sweet potatoes. They look amazing! You know my love for that crispy pancetta, sage and brown butter combo, so I’m all in! Bring on Thanksgiving!
That whole marshmallow/sweet potato thing is totally not a thing in Canada. I’ve never had that in my life! But, this? This I can get down with! Love me some brown butter and the smell of it is amazing! And then crispy pancetta added to the party? Yum! Perfect for the dinner table this holiday season! I bet the leftovers of this one are delicious too! Cheers to a great weekend, girl!
A perfect way to enjoy sweet potatoes! I’m getting all in the mood. And my Thanksgiving was over a month ago 🙂
My sweet potato puree has never looked this creamy! And with pancetta and brown butter, I seriously would lick the whole bowl clean!