Easy sweet potato spoonbread recipe with canned yams, fresh potatoes or leftovers is our favorite holiday side dish! Savory and sweet for Thanksgiving served with our Jiffy cream corn casserole every single year.

A glass dish showcases a baked spoonbread, partially scooped with a spoonโ€”a delightful sweet potato spoonbread recipe waiting to be shared.
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Sweet potato spoonbread is such a fun version of this classic dish. Made with either yams, leftover Instant Pot Sweet Mashed Potatoes or boiled from fresh it brings a bit more holiday flavors to a usually savory cornbread-like dish. (affiliate links present)

Easy Spoonbread with Sweet Potatoes

There are many names for this tender, full of flavor Southern Dish Often Made with Buttermilk and Cornmeal yโ€™all. You probably have a favorite one because that is what your grandma called it. Use that one my friend, it will bring back memories. ๐Ÿ˜‰

The base is similar to our No Egg Dairy Free Cornbread version but with Fall seasonings to really change the flavors to more of a sweeter side. If you love incorporating a new dish when guests come over for get togethers we have a fun corn pudding recipe for you here.

sweet potatoes casserole
Yams Spoonbread

So if I have leftover Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe with Canned Yams then I would use that instead of the first ingredient. I would say that equates to about 3 cups of mashed or so. Since that is already sweet I would cut the sugar a bit so it isnโ€™t overwhelming.

Ingredients

  • sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
    • or about 3 cups drained yams which wouldnโ€™t require boiling
  • Butter unsalted
  • Eggs acts as a binder
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Milk whole is best
  • Yellow cornmeal
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Sugar and salt
  • Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg and allspice
  • Buttermilk
  • 1/4 c butter melted

You want this to be TENDER, a cross between a thick pudding and Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Cake in a sense. Best way to test is with a toothpick and it is best when pulled out when wet crumbs are attached, not batter, but not dry either.

Recipe for Spoonbread

Often times if I am using fresh I will buy double to make this and our Potato Tart to serve with it. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐ F. Place the peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot of boiling water and cook over medium heat until they are fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain the sweet potatoes and transfer them to a mixing bowl.

Or if you made Crockpot Sweet Potatoes the night before you can save and have them ready next day to mash and make these.

How to Make Sweet Potato Spoonbread with Canned Yams

  • Mash potatoes cooked, or drained canned yams, until they are smooth in a large bowl. Add butter and mix until melted. In a separate bowl, slowly whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk.
  • Slowly pour the beaten egg mixture into the sweet potato mixture, stir.
  • In another bowl, combine the cornmeal mixture with baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
  • Gradually add the buttermilk to the dry ingredients and stir. Fold butter mix into the cornmeal batter.
  • Gently fold the cornmeal batter into the sweet potato mixture until incorporated. Pour into the greased baking dish, spreading out.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until it is set and golden brown. Inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with moist bits attached.

Remove corn pudding from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm as a side dish or a dessert. Itโ€™s delicious on its own or topped with a dollop of whipped cream or drizzle of maple syrup.

Golden-brown sweet potato corn pudding made from a classic spoonbread recipe sits in a glass dish, accompanied by a plate with butter and a checkered towel.

Can you make spoon bread with leftover mashed potatoes?

A great alternative if you want to make a dish faster, just drain a can of yams or use leftovers!! I have done both to make Sweet Potato Dumplings and literally the kids canโ€™t even tell the difference.

When I Bake a Sweet Potato at 400 and donโ€™t eat them all, next day let them sit on the counter then scoop out the middles and mash to make this.

Can spoonbread be made ahead of time?
A slice of delicious  spoonbread recipe, sits on a white plate with a pat of butter melting on top and a fork beside it.
A glass dish showcases a baked spoonbread, partially scooped with a spoonโ€”a delightful sweet potato spoonbread recipe waiting to be shared.
5 from 1 vote

Spoonbread Recipe

By The Typical Mom
Old fashioned sweetbread recipe with sweet potatoes or yams is here! A tender cornbread like side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas time.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Servings:
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Equipment

  • 1 9ร—9 pan
  • 1 pot to boil unless you already have mashed sweet potatoes or are using canned yams
  • 1 Bowl

Ingredients 

  • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, or about 3 cups drained yams which wouldn't require boiling
  • 1/4 c butter, unsalted
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 c milk, whole is best

Spoonbread Batter

  • 1 c cornmeal
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 c buttermilk
  • 1/4 c butter, melted
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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF and grease a 9ร—9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish. Set aside. Start by preparing the sweet potato mixture. Place the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot of boiling water and cook until they are fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain the sweet potatoes and transfer them to a mixing bowl.
  • ** You would skip this step if using canned yams, in that case drain and use about 3 cups worth. Mash in a bowl and you're ready for next steps.
  • Mash the cooked sweet potatoes until they are smooth and free of lumps. You can use a potato masher or a hand mixer for this step. Add 1/4 cup of unsalted butter and mix until the butter is completely melted and incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined.
  • Slowly pour the egg mixture into the sweet potato mixture, stirring continuously until everything is well incorporated. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, combine the yellow cornmeal, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
  • Gradually add the buttermilk to the dry ingredients and stir until you have a smooth batter. Now, fold the melted butter into the cornmeal batter, making sure it's well combined. Gently fold the cornmeal batter into the sweet potato mixture until incorporated. Pour batter into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the spoonbread is set and the top is golden brown. You can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with moist bits attached when it's done.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve your Sweet Potato Spoonbread warm as a side dish or a dessert. It's delicious on its own or topped with a dollop of whipped cream

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 312kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 75mg, Sodium: 306mg, Potassium: 369mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 8480IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 87mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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1 Comment

  1. I was glad to find this article. Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite foods so a good sweet potato recipe is always appreciated.