Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Homemade Maple Granola (DF, GF)

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The holiday season is the perfect time to create delicious and healthy dishes that everyone will love. One of my favorite recipes during this festive time is a delightful mash of sweet potatoes topped with crunchy homemade granola. It’s easy to make and loaded with flavors and nutrients. If you’re searching for a simple yet stunning sweet potato recipe for your holiday table, then look no further!

JUMP TO RECIPE

The ultimate Thanksgiving vegetable side dish that’s both nutritious and indulgent. Yes, please! This Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Homemade Granola recipe combines creamy, buttery sweet potatoes with a crunchy, cinnamon-spiced granola topping. It's a delicious twist on the classic sweet potato casserole that’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests.

Whether you’re hosting the holiday feast or bringing a dish to share, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that doubles as one of the best Thanksgiving sides.

Bonus: it’s simple enough to whip up for easy weeknight dinners, too!

Why You'll Love This Recipe.

Versatile: Perfect for holiday spreads or a cozy weeknight meal idea.

Nutritious: Packed with fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats, yet low in added sugar. I chose to use a pistachio granola here because pistachios are full of hormone supporting minerals and anti-inflammatory fats.

Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness and ingredients to your taste. Try cutting the oats with shaved almonds for a lower carb side dish or make it dairy free with the plant milk of your choice

Ingredients.

For the Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes. No peeling or chopping needed. Roast sweet potatoes with the skin on, and watch how easily it peels off after baking.

• Peanut Butter. A healthy fat alternative to butter and keeps the recipe dairy free for those that need it. This recipe tastes just as good with Almond butter or Sunbutter.

• Maple Syrup. A light amount of maple syrup adds sweetness without compromising nutritional quality. You could substitute brown sugar.

• Milk of choice. I love Elmhurst Cashew milk for baking rich and creamy dishes.

• Spices. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger bring warm fall flavors.

• Cornstarch or Arrowroot Starch. This is added as a final step to create mashed sweet potatoes that are creamy and thick. 

For the Homemade Granola

• Oats. Oats are at the core of any easy granola recipe. 

• Pistachios. Chopped pistachios offer a satisfying crunch on top of the creamy whipped potatoes. I love when I can sneak pistachios into any dish for a boost of hormone balancing nutrients.

• Coconut Oil. Coconut oil helps the oats to crisp up. You don’t want to skip this step. 

• Maple Syrup. A light amount of maple syrup adds sweetness without compromising nutritional quality. You could substitute honey.

• Vanilla Extract. Vanilla offers a robust flavor profile

• Pumpkin Pie Spice. The best spice blend for sweet fall baked goods and sides.  

• Salt. Just a touch to balance the sweet flavors.

Subs and Variations?

Extra sweetness. drizzle a bit of maple syrup over the granola before serving.

Extra texture. Add raisins, shaved almonds, pecans, or coconut flakes to your homemade granola mix.

Why This Dish is Perfect for Thanksgiving.

Combining two crowd favorites—mashed sweet potatoes and a crunchy homemade granola recipe—this dish is a fun, modern take on the traditional sweet potato casserole. Plus, it’s one of the easiest vegetable side dishes to prepare, making it an excellent choice for busy holiday kitchens.

This easy sweet potatoes recipe also pairs beautifully with turkey, stuffing, and all your favorite holiday dishes. Add it to your list of Thanksgiving side dishes for a healthy, satisfying option that everyone will love.

Pin or save this recipe now so you can enjoy it for all your holiday gatherings. If you try it, let me know- leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram with your creation!

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Make it ahead: Prepare the mashed sweet potatoes and granola separately, then assemble just before serving to keep the topping crunchy. You can prepare the pistachio granola up to a week in advance.

Mashed with Maple Granola Crunch

Makes 5-6 servings.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• 3 Sweet Potatoes, washed & patted dry

• 1/4 cup milk of choice (I use Elmhurst Cashew milk)

• 1 Tbsp peanut butter

• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

• 1/4 tsp vanilla

• 1/8th tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ginger

• 2-3 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder

Maple Granola

• 1 cup oats

• 1 cup pistachios, finely chopped (or mix of pistachios, almonds, & pecans)

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted

• 1.5 Tbsp maple syrup

• 1/8 tsp vanilla

• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (+ more for topping)

• 1/8 tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 420F. Poke a hole in either side of each sweet potato.

• Step 2: Place sweet potatoes on a greased sheet pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until they pierce easily with a fork. Flip halfway through.

• Step 3: Allow sweet potatoes to cool slightly and use your fingers to gently remove the skins. Save the skins for a healthy dog treat!

• Step 4: Use a fork or potato masher to mash potatoes. Add milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Use a hand mixer to whip potatoes and create a smooth, creamy texture.

• Step 5: While the potatoes are still warm, add cornstarch or arrowroot powder, 1 tsp at a time. Stir slowly after each tsp until potatoes thicken to the desired consistency. For mine this was 2 tsp cornstarch.

• Step 6: Transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to a serving dish and smooth the top with a spatula.

Maple Granola

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 F

• Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, add oats, chopped nuts, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, salt and mix well.

• Step 3: Spread granola in a thin layer across a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway through. Granola should be crisp, but not burnt.

• Step 4: Sprinkle the cooled granola evenly over the mashed sweet potatoes.

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Serving Suggestion:

Serve warm as one of your easy Thanksgiving sides or enjoy as a yummy vegetable side dish any time of year!

Weeknight meal suggestion: Roast chicken, roasted Brussels sprouts, and Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Product Links:

My favorite stainless steel mixing bowls with lids for easy storage.

Re-useable silicone ziplock bags

FAQ's

How long can I store mashed sweet potatoes?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can I make this nut free?

Yes! You can replace peanut butter with sunflower butter and make granola with a combination of oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and coconut flakes.