Ah, the sweet potato. Few foods are more synonymous with Thanksgiving than sweet potatoes. Sure, there's the corn and green beans and rolls and turkey. But if you had to make a list of top 10 Thanksgiving foods in the USA, sweet potatoes would surely make the list.
And if you are searching for something a bit more inventive with sweet potatoes, this is worth a look. I am absolutely in love with anything coconut and that seems to be a "love it" or "hate it" thing, so if you love coconut and sweet potatoes, this Easy Amish Sweet Potato Balls recipe is for you!
Coconut, by the way, is not historically a big part of Amish culinary culture, but Amish bulk food stores do often stock coconut now (I bought some today, as a matter of fact, at an Amish bulk food store) and is finding its way into more and more recipes. An Amish woman in Geauga County, Ohio - the world's fourth-largest Amish settlement - gave me this recipe for Easy Amish Sweet Potato Balls and, wow, it is good. Definitely, a different way to serve sweet potatoes. I've seen street vendors selling these sometimes, but bringing them to your holiday meal is a super idea. One bite of these and you'll be in bliss.
I am absolutely in love with anything coconut and that seems to be a "love it" or "hate it" thing, so if you love coconut and sweet potatoes, this one is for you! If you don't love coconut, you can easily use crushed cornflakes, saltines, walnuts, or pecans. I'm wondering how graham crackers would do? Maybe worth a try!
Be careful not to melt marshmallows, only bake these for 10 to 15 minutes. For future reference, these freeze very well. Just prepare and when out of the oven, put them in a sealed freezer bag or container, and when ready pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes to warm them through and you've got yourself a nice side dish.
This recipe does only make about 8 sweet potato balls and that's not a lot for a large gathering. So you may want to double the recipe.
These wonderful golden brown weet potato balls have very simple ingredients that deliver a hint of sweetness without being overpowering. I mean this recipe is so simple it doesn't even call for an egg or flour. There some spices you could add for additional flavor, like nutmeg, cinnamon, or even cayenne pepper if you like. And if you have vegans at the Thanksgiving table, you can buy plant-based marshmallow substitutes. If you don't have foil to cover your pan, I always prefer parchment paper anyway. If you are cutting down on your sodium, you could eliminate the salt altogether. Or just put in a pinch. Sweet potatoes are such a super source of vitamins, protein, and potassium!
🍠 Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 /2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tabespoons melted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 8 large marshmallows
- 1 cup of crushed corn flakes,coconut, or pecans
📋 Instructions
- Mix all ingredients well in a bowl.
- Wrap a tablespoon of the mixture around a large marshmallow, packing it around the marshmallow with your fingers if you need to.
- Roll balls in grated coconut or crushed corn flakes or chopped pecans.
- Place balls into a greased casserole dish.
- Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Stick a butter knife into them to see if they are firmed up and done.
🍽️ More Amish Thanksgiving Sides
🖨️ Full Recipe
Amish Sweet Potato Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed and cooked sweet potatoes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 8 large marshmallows
- 1 cup crushed corn falkes,coconut, or pecans
Instructions
- Cook and mash sweet potatoes.
- Mix all ingredients well in a bowl.
- Wrap a tablespoon of the mixture around a large marshmallow, packing it around the marshmallow with your fingers if you need to.
- Roll balls in grated coconut or crushed corn flakes or chopped pecans
- .Place balls into a greased casserole dish.Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes
Genny
Kevin I just want to say I am arepublican and I hope and pray Democrats don't take the house or senate sir
This country is really going down since Biden got in office everything going up in price and usa interfering with other countries God help America with these democrats
Kevin I'm sorry to vent to you sir and I really enjoy your amish column and seeing both your girls growing
Kevin Williams
THanks, Genny, it is OK. At this point, I don't care which party wins, as long as elections are free and fair and respected, whichever party delivers that, I'm in!
P.J. Coldren
There are only two of us - can these be frozen BEFORE baking for possible future use?
Kevin Williams
Yes, they freeze quite well!
Celeste
This is a staple in my home for whenever we want a sweet treat that’s semi nutritious. I sometimes sub brown sugar for golden monk fruit sweetener for a sugar free option. I also add in a little vanilla bean paste and some cinnamon/nutmeg. Thank you for sharing this. Everyone LOVES them.