If you love cozy, comforting flavors, you’re going to absolutely adore this Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe. It’s a sweet, buttery twist on a classic dish that’s perfect for holiday dinners or any time you want a luscious side that feels special but is super simple to pull off. I remember the first time I made these—they vanished in minutes, and my family kept begging me to whip them up again. Stick with me here, because this recipe is a total game-changer and I’m sharing tips to make sure yours turn out just as dreamy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sweet Potatoes: The electric mixer whipping creates an ultra-fluffy, silky filling that’s way better than plain mashed sweet potatoes.
- Perfect Crispy Skins: Spritzing the skins with olive oil and baking them crisp adds a delightful texture contrast that stole my heart.
- Marshmallow Magic: Toasted mini marshmallows turn golden and gooey on top, giving a nostalgic, dessert-like finish that’s just irresistible.
- Sweet and Savory Harmony: The maple syrup sweetens the filling naturally while flaky salt and warm spices keep things balanced and exciting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe is how a handful of simple, quality ingredients come together for big flavor. Each element plays a role—like butter for richness, maple syrup for natural sweetness, and spices that add cozy warmth.
- Sweet potatoes: Look for medium-sized, firm sweet potatoes—these roast evenly and fit nicely into a baking sheet.
- Unsalted butter: I prefer unsalted so I can control the saltiness in the dish myself.
- Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup, not the imitation kind, for the best flavor boost.
- Salt: Essential to balance out the sweetness and enhance the flavors throughout.
- Mini marshmallows: These melt and toast perfectly on top; regular-sized marshmallows don’t work quite the same.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: Just a sprinkle adds cozy warmth and depth—don’t skip the nutmeg if you have it!
- Flaky salt: A finishing touch—you’ll love the little bursts of crunch and contrast.
Variations
I love tweaking this Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m cooking for. Feel free to play around and make it your own!
- Add a bit of spice: Sometimes I toss in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to give an unexpected hint of heat that balances the sweet perfectly.
- Nutty crunch: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top add amazing texture and flavor contrast that my family can’t get enough of.
- Dairy-free option: Swap the butter with coconut oil and use a dairy-free marshmallow to make this suitable for friends with dietary restrictions.
- Maple bacon twist: For a savory upgrade, crumble some crispy bacon into the filling before baking—it’s pure magic.
How to Make Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes until Tender
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. Use a fork to poke a few holes all over each sweet potato—that helps steam escape and ensures even cooking. Place them on a rimmed baking sheet (lining with foil helps with cleanup). Roast for about 45 to 60 minutes, checking at around 45. You want the potatoes to be soft when you poke them with a fork, but avoid overbaking so they don’t get mushy.
Step 2: Scoop and Prepare the Filling
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle (I usually wait about 10 minutes), slice them lengthwise down the center. Carefully scoop out the soft flesh with a spoon, keeping the skins intact—this is your natural bowl. Here’s a little trick I learned: spritz the skins with olive oil and sprinkle a little salt before popping them back into the oven for 10-15 minutes. This crisps up the skins and adds divine flavor and texture.
Step 3: Whip the Filling for Silky Smoothness
Place the sweet potato flesh into the bowl of an electric mixer. You definitely can mash it by hand, but trust me—whipping it makes all the difference for fluffy, smooth filling. Add melted butter, maple syrup, and salt. Mix on medium speed until everything is combined and the texture is luxuriously creamy. This step gives you that luscious mouthfeel that elevates this dish from good to unforgettable.
Step 4: Assemble and Toast the Marshmallows
Spoon the creamy sweet potato filling back into the crisp skins, mounding it a bit if you like. Top each potato with a generous handful of mini marshmallows. Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the filling is warmed through and the marshmallows puff up and turn golden brown. Towards the end, keep an eye so they don’t burn—marshmallows go from perfect to charred fast!
Step 5: The Finishing Touch
Pull the sweet potatoes out, sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and nutmeg, and finish with a pinch of flaky salt. This finishing salt gives just the right bursts of flavor and contrast to the sweet, gooey topping. Serve hot and watch your friends and family swoon over these stunning Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes!
Pro Tips for Making Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Roast evenly: Try to pick sweet potatoes that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly and ready to scoop at the same time.
- Crisp the skins: Don’t skip brushing the skins with olive oil and salting before the final bake—this little extra step adds so much texture and flavor.
- Whip, don’t just mash: Using an electric mixer to fluff the sweet potatoes gives that dreamy texture that homemade just can’t beat.
- Watch your marshmallows: Keep an eye during the toast phase—they can turn from golden brown to burnt in seconds!
How to Serve Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish these with just a sprinkle of flaky salt and a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg—that combination brings out the maple’s sweetness and adds a cozy, fragrant note. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll toss on some toasted pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup right before serving for an extra wow factor.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with simple roasted chicken, glazed ham, or even a hearty vegetarian main like stuffed acorn squash. If you want to keep the meal cozy, a bright green salad with tangy vinaigrette helps cut through all that buttery sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve taken these to holiday potlucks where I plated each twice-baked potato on a small leaf of kale or collard greens for a rustic, festive feel. You can even serve smaller portions in halved baby sweet potatoes for a bite-sized hors d’oeuvre that’s sure to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I’ve stored leftover maple marshmallow twice-baked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They stay moist and flavorful, though the marshmallows lose a bit of their fresh-toasted pop. Still delicious reheated!
Freezing
You can freeze the filling and the skins separately before assembling, which helps keep textures nice. Just thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready, then assemble and bake with marshmallows. I found the marshmallows aren’t quite as melty after freezing, so I usually add fresh marshmallows on top before baking.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. I avoid microwaving because it makes the skins chewy and marshmallows gummy. If you want fresh marshmallows on top, pop them under the broiler for a minute or two after reheating.
FAQs
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Can I make this Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can roast and scoop the sweet potatoes a day ahead, then store the filling and skins separately in the fridge. Assemble and bake right before serving, adding the marshmallows only at the end. This makes it a great recipe for busy holiday dinners.
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Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini?
Mini marshmallows work best because they toast evenly and melt into small gooey pockets. Larger marshmallows might not melt through as nicely or could burn on the surface before melting inside. If you only have large ones, try chopping them into smaller pieces.
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Is there a vegan version of this recipe?
Yes! Use coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative instead of butter, and swap regular marshmallows for a vegan brand (there are several good ones available). Maple syrup and spices stay the same, so the flavor stays just as wonderful.
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Why do you use an electric mixer instead of just mashing?
Whipping the sweet potato flesh with an electric mixer gives you a much airier, smoother texture that ordinary mashing can’t achieve. It’s what makes the filling so luxuriously silky and light.
Final Thoughts
This Maple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe is one of those dishes that always feels like a cozy hug for your taste buds. I love it because it’s simple but elevated, sweet but balanced, and has this addictive texture combo of fluffy filling and toasty marshmallow topping. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a weeknight treat, I know these will bring smiles around your table. Give it a try—you might just find this becoming your new favorite sweet potato tradition!
PrintMaple Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Maple Marshmallow Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes are a delightful twist on a classic side dish. Sweet potatoes are baked until tender, then scooped out and whipped with butter, maple syrup, and salt for a silky smooth filling. Topped with mini marshmallows and a sprinkle of warm spices, then baked again to achieve a golden, melty topping with a perfectly crisped skin. A cozy, comforting recipe perfect for holiday dinners or any occasion.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
Maple Marshmallow Filling
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Seasonings & Garnish
- Cinnamon, for sprinkling
- Nutmeg, for sprinkling
- Flaky salt, for sprinkling
- Olive oil spray (optional, for crisping skins)
Instructions
- Preheat and Bake Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Poke a few holes in the sweet potatoes using a fork to allow steam to escape. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and Scoop: Allow the sweet potatoes to cool slightly so you can handle them safely. Slice each potato lengthwise down the center. Gently scoop out the flesh without breaking the skin, reserving the skin to be stuffed later.
- Crisp the Skins: Lightly spray the empty sweet potato skins with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Return them to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes to crisp up the skins, adding a delicious texture and flavor.
- Prepare the Filling: Place the scooped sweet potato flesh into the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the salt, melted butter, and maple syrup. Mix on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and well combined.
- Stuff and Top: Spoon the creamy sweet potato mixture back into the crisped skins. Generously top each stuffed potato with mini marshmallows.
- Final Bake: Bake the stuffed sweet potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are warmed through and the marshmallows are melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon, nutmeg, and flaky salt for added flavor and a beautiful finish. Serve warm and enjoy!
- Make Ahead Tip: You can bake the sweet potatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble and bake the final dish.
Notes
- Using an electric mixer to mash the sweet potato results in a silkier, fluffier texture compared to hand-mashing.
- Optional olive oil spray before baking the skins adds a delicious crispy texture to the potato skins.
- Make ahead: bake potatoes and store in the fridge to save time on the day of serving.
- For a vegan version, sub butter with a plant-based alternative and use vegan marshmallows.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg