Sweet Potato Patties

This sweet potato patties recipe transforms simple mashed sweet potatoes into something extraordinary — golden, crispy on the outside and soft, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. It’s the perfect way to use up leftover mashed sweet potatoes, but honestly, they’re so good you’ll want to make fresh ones just for this recipe. They’re quick to make, bake up fast in the oven, and taste incredible with your favorite dip — especially my homemade herb mayo. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these easy sweet potato patties are hearty, satisfying, and guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Why I Love These Sweet Potato Patties

This is one of my go-to unique and crowd-pleasing sweet potato recipes. It’s simple, flavorful, and versatile enough to work for any meal of the day. You can use fresh or leftover mashed sweet potatoes — my sweet potato puree works great — combine them with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and spices, and bake them into crispy-edged patties that stay soft and fluffy inside.

What makes them special is that perfect balance of texture — lightly crunchy on the outside, creamy and tender on the inside. Even my five-year-old daughter can’t get enough of them, which makes this a true family-friendly recipe. They’re healthy, full of fiber and vitamins, and easy to customize with different herbs or cheeses.

They also pair well with almost anything! Serve them for breakfast with my million dollar bacon or a homemade McGriddle, or make them part of a comforting southern dinner with country fried chicken, southern meatloaf, or no bean chili. However you serve them, these healthy sweet potato patties bring a cozy and delicious flavor to any meal. 

Ingredients

For the sweet potato patties:

• 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes (240g or 1 ½ -2 medium): I like to use leftovers from my sweet potato puree
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ¼ cup bread crumbs
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• Olive oil

For the herb mayo dipping sauce:

• ½ cup mayo
• 1 tsp. mixed herbs

How To Make Sweet Potato Patties

Step 1: Prepare the mashed sweet potatoes

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you already have leftover mashed sweet potatoes, you can skip this step. Otherwise, peel and cube 1½ to 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 cup mashed). Boil them in salted water for 10–12 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain well and mash until smooth. It’s important to let the mashed sweet potatoes cool slightly before mixing — if they’re too hot, the mixture will become sticky and difficult to shape.

Step 2: Make the patty mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients —mashed sweet potatoes, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, breadcrumbs, and parmesan.

Stir everything together until a soft, uniform mixture forms. It should hold together when pressed but still feel moist. If the mixture feels too wet, add a tablespoon or two of extra breadcrumbs; if it’s too dry, add a teaspoon of olive oil or water.

Step 3: Shape the patties

Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then gently flatten it into a patty about ½ inch thick using your palms. Try to keep the size consistent so they bake evenly. If the mixture sticks to your hands, lightly oil your palms before shaping.

Step 4: Bake until crispy

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it with olive oil. Arrange the sweet potato patties in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one. I fit 6 patties on my baking sheet, but if it's larger, you can fit all 8.

Brush the tops with a small amount of olive oil for a golden, crispy finish. Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through to ensure both sides brown evenly. They’re done when the edges are crisp and the centers feel firm but still tender.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy

As soon as the sweet potato patties come out of the oven, mix the mayo and mixed herbs of your choice in a small bowl until combined. Serve warm with the mayo, or any dipping sauce you want, like this McDonald's breakfast sauce, this Wingstop ranch sauce, or this Alabama white sauce.

How To Store Leftover Sweet Potato Patties

• In the fridge: I typically like to make a double batch of this recipe because the healthy sweet potato patties are so darn good as leftovers. I'll store them in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a sealed bag in the fridge for about 4 days.
• In the freezer: To keep them longer, I'll put them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze them until solid. Once they're frozen like this, just transfer them to a freezer-safe bag - or air-tight container and freeze for 6 months.
• Reheating: I'll put the patties on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes until warm. For frozen, add another 10 minutes of reheating time. You can also microwave them for about 15 seconds, but I think the oven gives the patties a better texture.

Sweet Potato Patties FAQS

Can I fry these sweet potato patties instead of baking them?

Yes! While I love baking these sweet potato patties because it’s a healthier, lighter, and hands-off method, you can absolutely pan-fry them for an extra-crispy crust. Heat 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp on the outside. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil before serving. Pro Tip: Avoid crowding the pan — frying in batches keeps the temperature consistent and helps the patties crisp evenly instead of steaming.

Can I make these patties ahead of time?

Yes, these mashed sweet potato patties are great for meal prep! You can mix and shape the patties up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate them on a parchment-lined tray, covered tightly with plastic wrap. When you’re ready to cook, simply bake or pan-fry them as directed. You can also cook them completely and reheat later — they hold up well in the fridge or freezer.

Can I add other ingredients or flavors?

Definitely! This recipe is super flexible. Try mixing in finely chopped spinach, green onions, or shredded carrots for extra veggies. For more flavor, add smoked paprika, chili flakes, or cumin. If you like them cheesier, stir in an extra tablespoon of Parmesan or cheddar before shaping.

What should I serve with sweet potato patties?

These crispy sweet potato patties are incredibly versatile. Serve them for breakfast with fried eggs and avocado, or for lunch and dinner as a side to chicken, meatloaf, burgers, or chili. They’re also amazing on their own with dipping sauces like herb mayo, garlic aioli, or Greek yogurt with lemon and dill.

Sweet Potato Recipes To Try Next

If you're looking for some more delicious and easy sweet potato recipes, we have a bunch on the blog that you have to try next! Here are popular ones:

• Candied yams
• Sweet potato muffins
• Sweet potato pound cake
• Sweet potato hash browns
• Sweet potato biscuits
• Ruth Chris sweet potato casserole

Oh, even more recipes. Make sure to check out our Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. .