Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These creamy dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes will become your new favorite holiday side dish. With just three simple ingredients, you’ll create a velvety smooth potato dish that even dairy lovers will rave about. Perfect for Christmas dinners, Thanksgiving feasts, or any night you crave comforting crispy potatoes without the dairy.
What You’ll Learn
Why These Are the Best Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes
Most dairy-free mashed potato recipes rely on vegan butter or olive oil, but we’ve discovered the secret to ultra-creamy texture: coconut cream. The natural fats in coconut cream mimic the mouthfeel of traditional dairy while adding subtle sweetness that complements the potatoes perfectly.
White sweet potatoes work particularly well here because:
- They have a milder flavor than orange varieties
- The texture is closer to russet potatoes
- They absorb flavors beautifully
- They create a beautiful neutral color that looks like classic mashed potatoes
Key Ingredients for Perfect Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes
Just three ingredients create magic in this recipe:
- White sweet potatoes – About 3 pounds, peeled and cubed
- Coconut cream – The thick part from a can of full-fat coconut milk
- Unsweetened almond milk – To adjust consistency
Why These Ingredients Work
The combination of coconut cream and almond milk creates the perfect dairy-free substitute for butter and cream. The coconut cream provides richness while the almond milk lightens the texture. Together they create mashed potatoes that are:
- Creamy but not heavy
- Flavorful but not overpowering
- Naturally sweet but still savory
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Potatoes
- Peel and cube 3 pounds of white sweet potatoes into 2-inch pieces
- Place in a large pot and cover with 1 inch of cold water
- Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil
- Reduce heat and simmer for 13-15 minutes until fork-tender
Mashing and Seasoning
- Drain potatoes thoroughly
- Return to pot and mash with a potato masher
- Add 1/2 cup coconut cream and 1/4 cup almond milk
- Season generously with salt and pepper
- Mix until smooth and creamy
Perfect Serving Suggestions
These dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes pair beautifully with:
- Roast turkey or chicken
- Holiday ham
- Vegetarian mushroom gravy
- Crispy roasted vegetables
For Christmas dinner, consider topping with:
- Toasted pecans
- Fresh thyme
- A drizzle of maple syrup
Why This Recipe Beats Traditional Mashed Potatoes
While traditional mashed potatoes have their place, this dairy-free version offers several advantages:
| Feature | Traditional | Dairy-Free Sweet Potatoes |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition | Mostly starch | Rich in vitamin A, fiber |
| Allergens | Dairy | Dairy-free, vegan |
| Flavor | Neutral | Naturally sweet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Orange sweet potatoes will work, though they’ll be sweeter and have a more vibrant color. The texture may be slightly different as orange varieties tend to be more moist.
For ultra-creamy results, use a hand mixer or food processor instead of a potato masher. You can also increase the coconut cream slightly and decrease the almond milk.
The coconut flavor is very subtle, especially when using white sweet potatoes. If you’re sensitive to coconut flavor, try using refined coconut cream which has no coconut taste.
Yes! These dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes reheat beautifully. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Ready to make these delicious dairy-free mashed sweet potatoes? The full recipe with exact measurements is below. Don’t forget to pin this recipe for your next holiday meal!
Creamy Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes OR Crispy Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes OR Christmas Dairy-Free Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 pounds white sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- ⅔ cups coconut cream
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- "Place the cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with 1 inch of water." "Prepare the Dough"
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water, then bring it to a boil. Preheat the Oven
- Lower the heat and simmer uncovered until the potatoes are fork-tender, checking frequently (about 13 minutes). Simmer the Potatoes
- Drain the potatoes and mash them in the pot using your preferred method. Corrected heading: "Prepare the Dough"
- Add the coconut cream and almond milk, then generously season with salt and pepper. Mix the Wet Ingredients
- Mix once more, taste, and adjust salt if necessary. Serve immediately. Reheat the Oven
