14 Things to Do With Leftover Sweet Potatoes

Get Creative and Free Up Fridge Space

Sweet Potato Muffins With Cinnamon Sugar Topping

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Got leftover mashed sweet potatoes taking up space in your fridge? There are plenty of clever recipe ideas for things to do with leftover spuds after your holiday dinner is over. Try these creative ways to reuse them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert.

  • 01 of 14

    Sweet Potato Breakfast Pancakes

    Sweet Potato Breakfast Pancakes

    marhero / Getty Images

    If you like pumpkin pancakes, wait until you try this sweet potato version. Lightly spiced with nutmeg, the fluffy flapjacks make a fabulous autumn breakfast or brunch treat with warm maple syrup drizzled over top. Or get indulgent by topping them with a big dollop of whipped cream.

  • 02 of 14

    Sweet Potato Croquettes

    Sweet Potato Croquettes

    Daniela White Images / Getty Images

    Mashed sweet potatoes are combined with breadcrumbs and a few other pantry ingredients, then molded for deep-frying until crispy and golden brown. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the tasty croquettes as a fun alternative to tater tots at brunch or dinner.

  • 03 of 14

    Sweet Potato Ice Cream

    Sweet Potato Ice Cream

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream with the delicious flavors of sweet potato pie! Use an ice cream maker to prepare this unique fall treat that's made with cooked sweet potatoes, baking spices, and classic ice cream ingredients.

  • 04 of 14

    Sweet Potato Pound Cake

    sweet potato pound cake

    The Spruce / Patty Lee

    Sweet potatoes and buttermilk go into the batter along with other baking ingredients to make this extra-tender bundt cake. Serve it to your book club, add a wedge to kids' school lunchboxes, or enjoy a slice with your afternoon cup of coffee.

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  • 05 of 14

    Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts

    Mashed Sweet Potato Donuts

    Bruce Law / Getty Images

    These wonderful doughnuts have a secret inside! Mashed sweet potatoes give the bakery-style treats a moist, dense texture, and a delicious flavor that is out of this world. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the batter, if you like, to lift the flavor.

  • 06 of 14

    Sweet Potato Waffles

    Sweet potato waffles

    The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Perillo 

    Sweet potato waffles are the perfect breakfast or brunch use for your leftovers. The recipe uses oat flour, so it's gluten-free, and they're cooked in a waffle maker. Served warm with your favorite syrup, it's a waffle your family will remember!

  • 07 of 14

    Sweet Potato Falafel

    Sweet Potato Falafel

    Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

    Use leftover mashed sweet potatoes to put a unique spin on falafel. It's a snap to prepare, but be sure to follow the instructions for chilling the formed balls before baking. Serve with tahini for dipping or tucked in a pita with hummus.

  • 08 of 14

    Sweet Potato Gnocchi

    Sweet Potato Gnocchi

    The Spruce / Molly Watson

    Gnocchi are delicious little pasta-style dumplings typically made with potatoes. Sweet potatoes add an extra boost of flavor and color to gnocchi to serve with your favorite pasta sauce. Bonus: the recipe freezes well for using later.

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  • 09 of 14

    Sweet Potato Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Sweet Potato Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

    Zaira Zarotti / Moment Open / Getty Images

    Mashed sweet potatoes are the start of this scrumptious layer cake studded with chopped walnuts. It's nicely spiced and finished with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting—a wonderful dessert for fall celebrations.

  • 10 of 14

    Turkey and Mashed Potato Croquettes

    Turkey and mashed potato croquettes

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Turn holiday leftovers into a winning appetizer or light weeknight supper with this genius recipe for turkey and mashed potato croquettes. Using mashed sweet potatoes adds extra flavor to the crispy bites. Add a little nutmeg to the croquette mixture, if you like, for extra spice.

  • 11 of 14

    Cheddar Mashed Potato and Ham Bake

    Cheddar Mashed Potato and Ham Bake

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Bake up a great-tasting family casserole with leftover mashed sweet potatoes, diced ham, and cheddar cheese. Canned cream of celery soup adds fresh flavor and extra creaminess to this easy weeknight supper.

  • 12 of 14

    Sweet Potato Muffins With Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    Sweet Potato Muffins With Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    These cinnamon and nutmeg-spiced sweet potato muffins are full of homey flavor, with a nice crunch from chopped pecans in the batter. But it's the fantastic cinnamon-sugar topping that takes the muffins from a tasty morning snack to party-worthy dessert.

    Continue to 13 of 14 below.
  • 13 of 14

    Dairy-Free Sweet Potato Pie

    Kosher sweet potato recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Use those mashed sweet potatoes in your fridge to fashion a delectable, dairy-free dessert. This recipe uses soy milk and skips on the butter, but doesn't skimp on taste or texture.

  • 14 of 14

    Pork and Mashed Potato Casserole

    Pork and Mashed Potato Casserole

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Leftover mashed sweet potatoes and pork loin are transformed into a hearty weeknight family meal via this easy casserole that cooks up in less than an hour. Frozen peas and carrots add color and nutrition to the tasty oven-baked dish. Top with cheddar cheese if you like.