Easy mashed sweet potatoes using the Instant Pot are a colorful and tasty alternative to the classic pale side dish. The electric pressure cooker transforms the dense tubers into soft and tender pieces that are easy to mash.
If you can’t get enough of these orange tubers, try my other delicious recipes for roasted sweet potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, and stovetop mashed sweet potatoes.
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The pressure built up in the Instant Pot elevates the cooking temperatures while using hot steam to soften the cells of the potato within minutes. The result is tender taters that can be made into a creamy puree. Sweet potatoes already have a plentiful amount of natural sugar, so I add warm holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to balance the taste. It’s like dessert in a bowl but without guilt!
All that’s needed for this pressure cooking technique is a few pounds of chopped sweet potatoes and water. Additional mix-ins are up to you, as this recipe makes for a versatile base to create a sweeter or more savory flavor.
Sweet potato size matters
With various types of sweet potatoes available at the grocery store, I recommend Garnet sweet potatoes. They have bright orange flesh that cooks up to be very sweet and moist. Other types like purple, Jewell, Japanese, Okinawa, and Hannah can be used. However, they may have a slightly different texture.
For quick and even cooking of the sweet potatoes, cut them into 1-inch pieces. Anything smaller, and they’ll crumble apart too easily.
Tips for pressure cooking
Insert the steamer basket into the bottom of the pot, then put the cut potatoes on top. Elevating the ingredient will allow the steam to cook the potatoes evenly. All you need is 1 cup of water for 2 pounds of sweet potatoes to get the pot up to pressure and properly cooked.
Getting the right texture
Using a potato masher, it’s important to mash the potatoes with butter. The fat helps to coat some of the starch particles so that the texture stays creamy but not gluey. If you want a smoother consistency, puree in a food processor for a few seconds. I use this technique for my sweet potato casserole recipe.
Additional mix-ins
While dispersing the seasonings more evenly as you mash, add the spices and salt with the butter to save you an extra step. For a lighter product, fold in some cream, milk, non-dairy milk, or coconut milk until the desired consistency is reached.
A drizzle of pure maple syrup or honey would also be tasty. For those with a sweet tooth like me, you can add a pinch or two of brown sugar.
This mashed sweet potato recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated right before serving on the stovetop or in the microwave. Using an electric pressure cooker is an efficient alternative to other methods. If you don’t have time to make baked sweet potatoes, this Instant Pot method is a great option.
More sweet potato recipes
Recipe Science
Pressure cooker time
Using the high-pressure setting, tender sweet potatoes that can be easily flaked with a fork cook relatively quickly. The high pressure of around 13 psi plus the steam heat can cook a whole unpeeled sweet potato in 15 to 16 minutes. For cut and cubed pieces, 10 minutes is plenty of time.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ground nutmeg, a pinch or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes – Add cut sweet potatoes and water into the Instant Pot. Make sure that the release valve is in the "Sealing" position. Place the lid on, turn and lock.
- Pressure Cook – Press the "Manual" button on the Instant Pot on high pressure, and then set the timer to 10 minutes using the "+" or "-" controls.It will take about 10 to 15 minutes for the pot to heat and build up pressure. You will see some steam release from the lid, and then the time will start on the display. Once the cooking time is complete, carefully quick-release the pressure from the pot by turning the steam release handle on the lid to the "Venting" position and then remove the cover.
- Drain Liquid – Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl.
- Add Seasonings – Add butter, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to the potatoes.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes – Mash using a potato masher until a smooth puree is created with some small chunks. Adjust seasonings as desired.
Equipment
Notes
- MAKE IT WHOLE30: Use Ghee instead of butter. Use sea salt instead of kosher salt.
- MAKE IT DAIRY FREE OR VEGAN: Use coconut oil or olive oil instead of butter.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Eliza says
Sorry, I just saw the list of ingredients and “peeled and cut” is specified. Forgive my oversight.
Eliza says
Am I correct in assuming the sweet potatoes are peeled before cutting into cubes?
I’m planning on making this for Thanksgiving and need to know.
Kris Washburn says
I made sweet potatoes this way for Thanksgiving and everyone that went for seconds took more sweet potatoes. Thank you Jessica. I have had my instant pot for 5 years and have never cooked sweet potatoes in it. This was a great way to cook them.