Homemade Sweet Potato Pie Recipe (2024)

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This sweet potato pie recipeuses vanilla pudding for the best ever flavor and texture. Learn how to make the best homemade sweet potato pie recipe from scratch! It’s one of our best potato recipes!

Sweet potatoes were never something I craved…that is until I started baking with them. Sweet potato bread has always been a favorite of mine, but lately I’ve been craving sweet potato pie.

If you’re looking for something a little different than pumpkin pie for the Thanksgiving and holiday season, try this best Sweet Potato Pie recipe.

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie Recipe (1)

Is sweet potato pie a dessert or side dish?

Sweet potatoes are often thought of as “healthy”, but when you bake with them, I’m sorry to say that sweet potatoes are not that great for you. Sweet potato pie is a dessert because of the amount of sugar that goes into the recipe.

Sweet potatoes do have many health benefits though (they are a great source of Vitamins A, C and B6) so hey…if you want to eat it as a side dish, go for it!

Do you use yams or sweet potatoes for sweet potato pie?

Yams that are found in US grocery stores are a type of sweet potato. True yams are often not found around the US except in specialty markets. US yams are higher in sugar content and get very soft when they bake.

Sweet potatoes are starchier and are better for cooking and frying because they keep their shape. Yams are great to use for sweet potato pies and other baked goods. You can use either for this recipe.

How to Make Sweet Potato Pie

  • The first thing you need to do when making a pie is prepare the crust. We love homemade crust and you can find all of our tips on making the best pie dough. If you’d like to take a shortcut, buy an unbaked refrigerated crust. We use a 9-inch pie crust.
  • Fresh sweet potatoes vs. canned sweet potatoes. You can use either for this recipe. Fresh sweet potatoes (or yams) will obviously mean a pie that tastes just a little bit fresher. If you choose fresh sweet potatoes, peel the potatoes, cut them in chunks, then boil them in water until they are soft. Drain the potatoes and mash until they are creamy. For canned potatoes, be sure to drain all of the liquid off of the potatoes before you mash them.
  • We like to use an electric mixer to blend the sweet potatoes and sugar together. This allows the potatoes to get completely mashed so your sweet potato pie is smooth.
  • Vanilla pudding and sweetened condensed milk both add to the flavor of this pie. You can use sugar free pudding mix if you’d like!
  • How long to bake sweet potato pie? This pie will take about 40-50 minutes to bake. A knife inserted in the center of the pie should come out clean and the pie should seem mostly firm in the center.
  • Top with a dollop of whipped cream. You can decorate the whole pie with swirls of whipped cream if you’d like.

Recipe Variations

  • Love spices? Try adding a dash of freshly grated nutmeg, ginger or cloves. It will change the flavor slightly but tastes so so good!
  • Use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar if you’d like.
  • Need a dairy free dessert? Try using plant butter and sweetened condensed coconut milk.

Can you freeze sweet potato pie?

Yes, you can freeze sweet potato pie. It’s important to allow the pie to defrost slowly in the refrigerator or it may get wet and have moisture on top of the pie.

Another option is to make the pie crust and freeze it, then make the pie filling closer to the day you want to serve it. That will say some of the mess.

How long does sweet potato pie last in the freezer?

Sweet potatoes can be frozen for about 6-8 months. (source)

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie Recipe (3)

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie Recipe (4)

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

4.71 from 89 votes

The vanilla pudding in this sweet potato pie recipe makes for the best ever flavor and texture. Learn how to make the best homemade sweet potato pie recipe from scratch!

Servings 8

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Print RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 2 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup salted butter (very soft so it mixes in easily)
  • 1 small box instant vanilla pudding (dry mix..do not add milk!)
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 unbaked pie crust

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill a 9" pie plate with pie crust.

  • In a large bowl, blend sweet potatoes and sugar with a hand mixer.

  • Add one egg, then beat the mixture.

  • Add the second egg and beat again.

  • Add softened butter, pudding mix, condensed milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Mix well.

  • Pour into the unbaked pie crust and bake for 40-50 minutes.

  • Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack.

Video

Notes

Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the pie being cut into 8 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 291mg | Potassium: 352mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 5270IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 459

Keyword best potato recipes, sweet potato desserts, sweet potato pie recipe

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

Other Sweet Potato Recipes

  • Sweet Potato Bread
  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Sweet Potato Fries
  • Sweet Potato Puffs

Kitchen Tools Needed to Make Pie

  • Pastry Cutter: I use this tool all the time. It cuts butter into flour perfectly for streusels, crusts and other pastries.
  • Pastry Mat:This silicone mat keeps your cupboard clean and makes rolling out pastries so easy.
  • Cute Pie Plate: Because if you’re taking the time to make pie, serve it up in style!
  • Pie Crust Decorator Wheel: Makes beautiful edges to your pie!
  • Pastry Guide:Makes perfectly round crust, every time.

Other Pie Recipes

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

Many readers ask if they really need to soak the sweet potatoes before baking to get that great crunch. I've tried it both ways and found that soaking the sweet potato fries for about 30 minutes or so in plenty of cold water does help them crisp up a bit more.

What is the difference between sweet potatoes and yam pies? ›

From a culinary perspective, the biggest difference between sweet potatoes and yams becomes more apparent when they are cooked. Yams are starchy and dry, but sweet potatoes are fluffier and the right consistency for this rich autumn tart.

Does sweet potato pie raise blood sugar? ›

Sweet potatoes are a source of carbohydrates, which raise blood sugars,” says White. “People with diabetes can eat carbs but need to watch portions of foods with carbs.” What this means: Limit portions to half a sweet potato per meal or snack.

Is eating sweet potato pie good for you? ›

Consuming sweet potatoes in the right quantities can enhance brain function, support the immune system, and manage diabetes. This makes sweet potato pies a healthy choice to consume essential nutrients that are important for a healthy diet.

What is sweeter pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie? ›

Both sweet potato and pumpkin pies are American staples with a starchy custardlike filling. Pumpkin pie tends to be more heavy on spice, while sweet potato pie is typically sweeter and lighter. But the reasons why people choose one over the other often trace back to where they were raised and their race.

What is humble pie made of? ›

An umble pie is a pie filled with chopped or minced offal, especially of deer but often other meats, called umbles in Middle English, which derived from the word numble (after the Middle French nombles), meaning "deer's innards".

What's the difference between sweet potato pie and sweet potato casserole? ›

The difference is that sweet potato casserole can either have a toasted marshmallow top or a crunchy brown sugar/nut top and is made with brown sugar in the casserole. Sweet potato pie is made with white sugar, has nothing on top, but can be served with whipped topping.

Should I boil my sweet potatoes before baking? ›

Absolutely not. While many might choose to parboil the sweet potatoes before cooking for a shorter cooking time, we advise against it. Roasting sweet potatoes bring out their caramelized flavor yet leave the inside soft and custardy.

Do sweet potatoes taste better baked or boiled? ›

Even if you are making mashed sweet potatoes, they will taste better with oven-cooked potatoes. To bake sweet potatoes in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes clean and pierce each one all over with a paring knife. Bake on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet until tender, about 45 to 50 minutes.

Should sweet potatoes be peeled before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

Which sweet potato is the healthiest? ›

Sweet Potatoes and Health

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.

Why do pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie taste the same? ›

If you were to take a bite of both sweet potato and pumpkin pies, you'll notice that there are more similarities than differences. They're both made with eggs, vanilla, and milk (either whole or condensed), and they're both seasoned with warm spices including cinnamon and nutmeg.

Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? ›

How to Safely Feed Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog. Whether they're mashed, baked, or boiled, sweet potatoes are fine for dogs to eat as long as they're cooked, peeled, and plain. Again, avoid any seasonings or extra ingredients that may be included in “human food” recipes, such as butter, sugar, or salt.

What does sweet potato contain? ›

Sweet potatoes are nutritious, packing a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese into each serving. They also have anticancer properties and may promote immune function and other health benefits. Sweet potatoes are sweet, starchy root vegetables that are grown worldwide ( 1 ).

Does sweet potato pie contain milk? ›

Sweet potato pie is a Southern favorite and commonly found on the holiday dessert table. But it most often contains milk and butter, so it is not safe for those with dairy allergies.

What is the tradition of sweet potato pie? ›

Sweet potato pie is a traditional dessert, originating in the Southern United States. It is often served during the American holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas in place of pumpkin pie, which is more traditional in other regions of the United States.

References

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