Best Recipe for Sweet Potato Pie

Name: Homemade Sweet Potato Pie
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Ingredients: Homemade Pie Crust; or store bought pie crust; 1.5 lb about 3 large sweet potatoes (equal to 2 cups mashed); 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup milk (I used whole milk); 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs

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Get ready to wow family and friends with the best sweet potato pie recipe! With just 25 minutes of prep and simple ingredients, just writing about this pie makes my mouth water. You just have to try it!

Plus, this pie can be made with my homemade flaky pie crust or a store bought crust, you choose!

sweet potato pie slices in a glass pie dish, a dark teal towel, fork and white plate with a slice of pie on it in the background

You will love this Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

You may think of homemade sweet potato pie as an old-time recipe, but once you try this irresistible sweet potato dessert you’ll realize why it deserves a spot at the family table for years to come.

Old-fashioned sweet potato pie has been in families for generations, showing that simple is sometimes best.

As always, I have tested and tweaked my version of classic southern sweet potato pie until I feel excited about sharing it, knowing it would make the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner or an any time of the year dessert just the same!

a slice of sweet potato pie on a white plate with one bite taken out on a fork laying beside the pie on the plate. The plate is sitting on a dark teal towel and there is another plate with a pie slice and the glass pie dish of pie in the background

In this recipe, fresh sweet potatoes are roasted to perfection and then combined with warm spices, butter, milk and just the right amount of sugar to compliment the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. This smooth, creamy sweet potato pie filling is then baked in a buttery pie crust to golden brown pie perfection.

I love to use my homemade buttery pie crust recipe for this pie, but you can also use a store-bought crust. Keep reading for my extra tips and tricks!

ingredients for sweet potato pie arranged on a wood surface including whole sweet potatoes, milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, butter, eggs, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon

Southern Sweet Potato Pie Ingredients

This pie has rich sweet potato flavor, the right amount of sweetness, and a flaky crust making it a favorite recipe to make during the holiday season, or any time you get the craving! You just need basic pantry ingredients for this family recipe. Get the full recipe with measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

Homemade Pie Crust or store bought pie crust
Sweet potatoes
Unsalted butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Milk: I prefer to use whole milk for this recipe.
Nutmeg
Ground cinnamon
Salt
Vanilla extract
Eggs

four small white plates of sweet potato pie on a wood surface with a dark teal towel and forks

Best Sweet Potato Pie Variations

I can’t wait for you to try this pie recipe! It’s perfect as is, but here are some options:

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Pie: You can use a store-bought gluten free pie crust.
Mini Sweet Potato Pies: Use the sweet potato filling to make mini pies (baking times would vary depending on the size and type of crust used).
Coconut Sweet Potato Pie: Either mix shredded coconut into the filling or top of the finished pie with toasted coconut shreds to add a nutty and tropical flavor.
Maple Sweet Potato Pie: Substitute some of the sugar in the pie for maple syrup or drizzle maple syrup on top of the finished pie.
Ginger-Spiced Sweet Potato Pie: If you like a spicier, more intense flavor you can use ground ginger or freshly grated ginger in or on top of the pie.

a glass pie dish with sweet potato pie slices topped with dollops of whipped cream, with one slice being lifted out of the pie dish and a dark teal towel beside it

How to Make a Sweet Potato Pie

This is my favorite pie recipe to make during the Fall, and it’s a bonus that it’s so easy! A simple sweet potato mixture is baked in a buttery crust and the result is addictive! Keep reading for my best tips and tricks, and get the full recipe in the recipe card below.

Pie Crust

Follow our pie crust instructions to make a homemade crust. Once the crust is assembled and fluted in the pie pan, place it in the refrigerator while you prepare the pie filling.

Prep the sweet potatoes

three roasted sweet potatoes on a sheet pan covered in aluminum foil sitting on a wood surface

sweet potato that has been mashed in a food processor bowl sitting on a wood surface

Prep oven and sweet potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork or knife. This helps steam escape while they roast. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. This will make cleanup easier.
Cook potatoes. Roast the sweet potatoes in the oven for about 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender. You can check for doneness by inserting a fork or knife into a sweet potato; it should go in easily.
Cool sweet potatoes and remove skin. Remove the roasted sweet potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool for a bit until they are comfortable to handle. Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel the skin off the sweet potato flesh. The skin should easily come away from the flesh. Measure out about 2 cups of sweet potatoes and place in the food processor.

Filling

mashed sweet potato, milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter in a food processor bowl sitting on a wood surface

Prep oven. Position your oven rack in the bottom ⅓ of your oven and preheat the oven to 425º.
Mash sweet potatoes and add ingredients. Process the sweet potatoes until they are smooth and free of lumps, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even blending. Add the softened butter, granulated sugar, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and vanilla extract to the food processor and pulse until creamy and well combined.
Mix in eggs. Add in the eggs, process everything until the mixture is smooth.

sweet potato pie filling being poured into a pie crust in a glass pie dish sitting on a wood surface

sweet potato pie ready to be baked in a glass pie dish sitting on a wood surface

Add mixture to pie crust. Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.
Bake pie. Place the pie in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then turn the temperature down to 350ºF and bake for 30-40 minutes.

slices of sweet potato pie on white plates topped with dollops of whipped cream, with a fork sitting beside the pie on the front plate and a dark teal towel underneath the plate

How Long to Bake Sweet Potato Pie

Total bake time for this sweet potato pie recipe is about 45-55 minutes. We start the pie at a higher temperature for 15 minutes, and then turn down the temperature and continue to bake for another 30-40 minutes. Oven times vary, so I suggest checking your pie for doneness using these tips:

To determine if the sweet potato pie is done, use one of these methods:

Visual Inspection: Look at the pie’s appearance. The edges of the pie should be set and slightly browned, while the center should be firm but not overly jiggly. It’s okay if the center has a slight wobble as it will continue to set as it cools.

Knife or Toothpick Test: Insert a clean knife or toothpick into the center of the pie. If it comes out clean with no wet batter sticking to it, the pie is done. If there’s still wet batter on the knife or toothpick, it needs more time in the oven.

Temperature Check: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pie. The sweet potato pie is done when its internal temperature reaches about 175-180°F (80-82°C). This method provides a precise way to ensure the pie is fully cooked.

Shake Test: Gently shake the pie. If the center jiggles excessively, it may need more time in the oven. A slight jiggle is okay, but it should be mostly set.

Allow the sweet potato pie to cool on a wire rack for a few hours or until it reaches room temperature. Refrigerate before serving for the best flavor.

a slice of sweet potato pie being lifted out of a glass pie dish with more slices of pie in it, all topped with dollops of whipped cream

How to serve this recipe for Sweet Potato Pie

This is the perfect pie to serve for Thanksgiving or at any other Fall family gathering. Or if you’re just really a sweet potato lover, have it any time of year, there are no rules when it comes to pie!

I recommend slicing the pie when ready to serve, and then topping each individual serving with any desired toppings.

Here are some of my favorite toppings for sweet potato pie:

Homemade whipped cream
Caramel sauce
Maple syrup drizzle
Pumpkin whipped cream
Chopped nuts
Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg

sweet potato pie in a glass pie dish with half of it unsliced and the other half with slices missing sitting on a wood surface

How to Store Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Store leftovers (if there are any!) in an airtight container or covered tightly in the the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You may leave this pie out for a few hours, but then it is important to refrigerate any leftovers so it doesn’t spoil.

Best Sweet Potato Pie FAQs

How do you thicken a sweet potato pie?

To thicken a sweet potato pie filling, you can use a variety of ingredients and techniques. You can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch or a tablespoon of flour with a small amount of cold water to create a slurry, and then stir it into the sweet potato filling before baking. This will help thicken the filling as it cooks. You should also ensure your sweet potatoes are well-mashed and relatively dry before adding them to the filling. Excess moisture can lead to a runny pie, so draining any excess liquid or blotting the sweet potatoes with a paper towel can help.

Why is my sweet potato pie dry?

If your sweet potato pie turns out dry, it could be due to a few different reasons. Here are some common reasons your pie may be dry:
Over-mixing: Over-mixing the filling can lead to a drier texture. Mix the ingredients only until they are combined to avoid overworking the sweet potato mixture.
Over-baking: Over-baking the pie can lead to dryness. Sweet potato pie should be cooked until it’s set in the center but still slightly jiggly. If you bake it too long, it can become dry and crumbly. Be sure to follow the tips above to check the pie for doneness.
Under-cooked or under-mashed sweet potatoes: Make sure you properly cook and mash your sweet potatoes. Roast them until they are soft and easily mashed. If they are undercooked or not mashed thoroughly, it can result in a dry pie.

Why is my sweet potato pie so dense?

Here are a few of the most common reasons your pie may turn out too dense:
Over-mixing: Over-mixing the pie filling can lead to a dense texture. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined to avoid an overly dense pie.
Over-baking: Baking the pie for too long can cause it to become dense and dry. Be sure to follow the tips above to check the pie for doneness.
Ingredient substitutions: Substituting ingredients in a recipe, especially key components like sweet potatoes, can affect the texture. Stick to the ingredients listed in the recipe for the best results.