This dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes recipe was an original submissions by Mary Shivers for our March Madness recipe contest back in 2014. We’ve updated this vegan recipe and added some easy options and tips below.
This is a sweet and savory side that uses rich almond butter instead of dairy butter for creaminess. We think it makes a pretty tasty breakfast, too!
Tips: Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mix or Mash? Mary uses a hand mixer on low speed to keep from over blending. But you can go old school and use a fun sweet potato masher if preferred.
Which Sweet Potatoes to Buy? Look for sweet potatoes with copper skin and orange flesh. They cook up softer and fluffier than sweet potatoes with golden skin and paler flesh. Both types are technically sweet potatoes, but you might see the orange flesh sweet potatoes labeled as yams at your grocery store.
How Sweet is It? Sweet potatoes can vary in flavor, and you might like your mash more or less sweet. You can optionally start by mixing in just the maple syrup and then add the brown sugar to taste, using more or less as desired.
Thick or Softer? If you like a thicker mash, add the milk beverage as you mash until it reaches your desired consistency. For an extra touch of richness, you can add a tablespoon or two of coconut oil and reduce the milk beverage to 1/2 cup, or as needed.
Special Diet Notes: Mashed Sweet Potatoes
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian.
For nut-free, dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes, you can substitute sunflower seed butter, your favorite nut-free milk beverage, and omit the walnuts.
- 2 quarts water
- 2 teaspoons sea salt, plus additional if needed
- 8 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes (about 3 large)
- ⅔ cup plain almond milk beverage
- ⅓ cup creamy almond butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ firmly-packed brown sugar (can sub coconut sugar for less sweet)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup + ⅓ cup lightly toasted chopped walnuts, divided
- Bring the water and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a deep 5-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add the sweet potatoes and boil for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain.
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF and grease 8 8-ounce ramekins or 1 large casserole dish.
- Put the almond milk, almond butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Add the sweet potatoes and mix with a hand mixer on low speed until smooth. Taste test and add salt, if needed. Stir in 1 cup of the walnuts.
- Divide the sweet potato mixture between your ramekins or evenly spread it in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup walnuts on top.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until heated through.
For More Healthy Side Dishes, Get Eat Dairy Free!

13 Comments
Do you suggest covering it with foil while baking or leaving it open?
You don’t need to cover it.
Can you substitute all things almond with coconut. Coconut milk, coconut spread?
I can’t have almonds or cashews.
Thanks.
Hi Colette, yes, but I would add them as needed. Coconut butter (spread) is much richer than almond butter, so you might want to use less – or you might not! I assume you mean coconut milk beverage in place of the almond milk beverage. If you use coconut milk (original, canned) it will be much richer, so I would thin it.
Almond butter?? I NEVER would have thought of that! I love sweet potatoes and love this healthy twist!
I’ve never tried almond butter but it sounds great! I love sweet potatoes, so this is a staple all season long 🙂
I think it’s such a cool idea!
Mashed sweet potatoes are my favorite holiday side dish! This recipe looks AWESOME. Love that it’s dairy-free!
I just love the beautiful color of sweet potatoes! This is a great side dish any time of the year and especially for the holidays!
Just in time for the holidays! These sound delicious!
Perfect holiday side for those with allergies! Looking forward to giving them a try!
I love your recipes but the oil you use is really bad for you blocks up your arteries
Dianne, this recipe doesn’t contain any oil. But you are welcome to use your oil of choice in any recipe.