Name: Sweet Potato Butter
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Ingredients: 1 large sweet potato (¾ cup, mashed); 1 stick salted butter; 1/3 cup honey; ⅛ teaspoon table salt; Optional additions (See notes)

Jump to Recipe

Finally, a sweet potato butter that's actually made with BUTTER! We took honey butter up a notch by blending in caramelized sweet potatoes, perfect for spreading on warm biscuits, cornbread, waffles, ravioli, and so much more!

A homemade biscuit in a custard cup, next to a blue floral plate with a biscuit half, spread with sweet potato butter. A butter knife, two sticks of butter and a spring of fresh thyme are in the background.

Have you ever gotten excited about apple butter or pumpkin butter, just to find out there isn't actually BUTTER in it?!

This phenomenon of making a fancy fruit puree and calling it "butter", simply because it can be spread onto bread is maddening. So I decided to make my own with ACTUAL butter in it.

Sweet Potato Butter FAQ

What is sweet potato butter used for?

It's perfect for spreading on warm buttermilk biscuits, waffles, and avocado toast, or melted over ravioli, gnocchi, roasted vegetables, or oatmeal.

You could even use it to make sweet potato buttercream frosting for a carrot cake.

Is it good for you?

Because sweet potato is blended in, there are fewer calories per tablespoon than plain salted butter: only 64 calories per tablespoon vs. 100 calories per tablespoon, respectively. However, it still is a calorie-dense food, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.

Does it need to be refrigerated?

Yes, it does need to be refrigerated because this particular recipe contains actual butter. It cannot be canned like traditional sweet potato butters or apple butters.

Sweet potato butter inside a glass hinge-lidded Mason jar, sitting on a blue floral plate.

How long does it last in the refrigerator?

I've kept mine in an airtight glass container for about a month in the refrigerator. It's just as delicious as the day I made it!

Can you freeze it?

Yes, it freezes very well! Freezing the butter is a great way to enjoy it mindfully without having to worry about finishing an entire batch.

The Dietitian's Nutrient Notes

Sweet potatoes are easily recognizable because of the rich yellow-orange color of their flesh, which turns darker as the sweet potato caramelizes during the long roasting time.

This yellow-orange color occurs because of pro-vitamin beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene is fat soluble, so the fat from the butter will help this nutrient be better absorbed.

Beta-carotene converts into Vitamin A in the body, helping support immunity, good vision and eye health, and healthy skin.

Now, this doesn't mean I'm saying to eat sweet potato butter and you'll have great eyesight and flawless skin. This recipe is high in saturated fat and should be enjoyed on occasion and at a mindful portion size.

Sweet potato butter in a glass Mason jar on a blue plate, with two halves of a biscuit sitting next to it. 2 sticks of butter and a cast iron skillet are in the background.

Bonus Tips

Tips for Roasting Sweet Potatoes

Line the baking sheet with foil to make clean-up simple
Rub the outside of the sweet potato with bacon fat or margarine to seal the potato skin during the baking process
Roasting the sweet potatoes at 400°F for 60-80 minutes allows the flesh to caramelize, releasing the potato's sweetness

Sweet Potato Butter Variations

Think of this recipe as a baseline version; it's delicious in its simplest form, but there is definitely space for flavor combinations.

Whether you're looking to go sweet, or savory, there are tons of options.

Sweet

Try swapping the honey for maple syrup or molasses
Love that Texas Roadhouse butter? Try adding cinnamon & a pinch of nutmeg.

Savory

Fresh thyme, my personal favorite
Rubbed sage, which makes it perfect for melting over butternut squash ravioli
Onion powder or roasted garlic
Tahini or miso for an earthy, grounded flavor

Homemade Food Gifts

This sweet version of a compound butter makes for a beautiful, unique gift, especially around the holidays. Bring it as a hostess gift with a loaf of cornbread or a pan of biscuits.

Sweet potato butter in a hinge-lidded glass Mason jar, sitting on a blue plate next to a halved biscuits. A pan of biscuits in an iron skillet, 2 sticks of butter, and a gold butter knife lie in the background.

Whether you're spreading it on warm biscuits or melting it over butternut squash ravioli, I hope you enjoy my take on sweet potato butter.

Calling all butter lovers: Looking for more flavored butter recipes? Check out my Hazelnut Basil Pesto Butter-- perfect for pesto pasta, shrimp scampi, and garlic bread.

If you're searching for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, check out these crispy Biscoff Butter Cookies or my indulgent Italian Almond Cake.

All my love & a little butter,

Olivia Sokolowska, MBA, RD

Sweet Potato Butter

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Finally, a sweet potato butter that's actually made with BUTTER! We took honey butter up a notch by blending in caramelized sweet potato. It's perfect for spreading on warm biscuits, cornbread, waffles, ravioli, and so much more!

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato (¾ cup, mashed)
1 stick salted butter
⅓ cup honey
⅛ teaspoon table salt
Optional additions (See notes)

Instructions

Bake the Sweet Potato

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a small baking sheet or oven-safe dish with foil.

2. Using your hands and a small bit of bacon fat or margarine, lightly coat the outside of the sweet potato with fat until the whole potato is completely greased.

3. Place the sweet potato on the foil-covered baking sheet or dish and bake for 60-80 minutes, until you start to see a dark, caramelized syrup oozing from the potato. Remove the pan from the oven & allow the potato to cool.

Blend the Butter

4. Once the sweet potato has cooled, peel off the skin and measure out ¾ cup of sweet potato flesh.

5. In a food processor, add the sweet potato flesh, butter, and honey, and sprinkle in the salt. Process until fully combined. Depending on the temperature of the butter, you may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl several times to make sure all ingredients are fully combined.

6. Transfer the sweet potato butter to an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy it spread on warm buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, ravioli, waffles, and more!

Notes

Serving Size: 2 TBSP

Yield: 10 servings

*Optional additions: Fresh thyme, rubbed sage, onion powder, tahini, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, miso

Nutrition Information

Serving Size

2 TBSP
Amount Per Serving Calories 128Total Fat 8.8gSaturated Fat 5.5gSodium 107mgCarbohydrates 12.5gFiber 0.5gSugar 10gProtein 0g

Please note that nutrition information is a computer-generated estimate and should not be interpreted as a registered dietitian's advice. Nutrition facts calculations vary based on brands, products, and serving sizes.