Sweet Potato Gnocchi is a flavorful and comforting twist on the traditional Italian gnocchi. Soft, pillowy, and slightly sweet, these gnocchi are made with mashed sweet potatoes, which bring a subtle earthy flavor to the dish, perfectly balancing the richness of the potato dough. Unlike traditional gnocchi, which often rely on white potatoes, sweet potatoes add a unique sweetness and vibrant color, making this version of the beloved pasta even more delightful.
The beauty of Sweet Potato Gnocchi lies in its simplicity. The dough is made with just a few ingredients — mashed sweet potatoes, flour, eggs, and a pinch of salt. The sweet potatoes make the gnocchi soft and tender, while the flour gives it the right amount of structure. The key to perfect gnocchi is in the delicate handling of the dough, ensuring it’s not overworked, which helps maintain the light, pillowy texture.
What sets Sweet Potato Gnocchi apart is the balance of flavors. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs wonderfully with savory sauces. Whether served with a rich brown butter sage sauce, a creamy garlic sauce, or a simple marinara, the sweet potato gnocchi creates a perfect balance between the sweetness of the potatoes and the savory flavors of the sauce. The gnocchi absorb the sauce beautifully, making each bite a comforting, flavorful experience.
These gnocchi are incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them as a main course, paired with roasted vegetables or a protein of your choice, or as a side dish to complement a larger meal. For those who enjoy a little extra crunch, consider roasting the gnocchi after boiling them to give them a crispy, golden exterior.
This homemade gnocchi recipe is not only a delicious alternative to traditional gnocchi but also a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your meals. It’s an easy yet impressive dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners, holiday meals, or any time you want to indulge in a comforting, flavorful dish.
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes medium, about 1 pound
- 1 cup all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 egg large
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and bake until tender, about 45 minutes.
- Allow sweet potatoes to cool, then peel and mash them in a bowl.
- Add flour, egg, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes and mix until a dough forms.
- Dust a surface with flour and roll the dough into long ropes, then cut into gnocchi pieces.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the gnocchi in batches until they float, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove gnocchi with a slotted spoon and serve with your favorite sauce.
Nutrition
I tried making this but the dough was too sticky. I added too much flour I think. Not sure what went wrong.
It sounds like you might have added too much flour, which can happen! Try going easier on the flour next time, and make sure your sweet potatoes are really well mashed. They should be moist to help with the dough consistency. Good luck!
I forgot the egg and it still turned out decent! Just a bit crumbly, but I added some cheese and it worked out.
Mine fell apart in the water. What did I do wrong?
This gnocchi recipe is a game changer! So easy and sooo delicious. Highly recommend it!
So easy! I made it with kids and they loved it. Will definitely make again!
I love the flavor! But where do I find that ‘slotted spoon’?
Not gonna lie, the instructions feel a little vague. Like how much dough should form? Also I boiled them too long once and they fell apart. Could be user error, but still…
Gnocchi? Is that fancy pasta? 🤔
Gnocchi is actually a type of dumpling made from potatoes, flour, and egg! It’s quite different from pasta. It’s delicious!
Can you use purple sweet potatoes instead? Would that work?
Ok but why do we preheat the oven first? Like, can’t you just microwave the sweet potatoes? (Not that I’ll change it, just wondering.)
You *can* microwave them, but you gotta watch the moisture. I’ve done it and sometimes the dough ends up sticky so I end up adding more flour. Oven is just more consistent, that’s why they say preheat.
Preheating’s basically so the sweet potatoes bake evenly right away—if you don’t, they can cook slower on the outside and not get that tender, mashable texture. Microwaving will work in a pinch, but it can make them a bit drier/wetter unevenly, and then the dough gets fussy.
Made these last night—so cozy. Mine took the full 45 min to get tender, but the dough came together nicely once I added a little extra flour. Floating = exactly the right cue. 10/10 with browned butter and sage.
Glad it worked for you! Browning the butter + sage sounds perfect for sweet potato gnocchi. 😊 Mine always takes a little longer too—45 min is never quite universal.
Could you use other types of potatoes? I’ve got some russets lying around.
Why do you have to bake the sweet potatoes? Just boil ’em for quicker results!
Baking gives them a better flavor and sweetness! Boiling can make them watery. Trust the process!
Who has time for all that baking? Boil them and get it done faster! 😂
This gnocchi recipe is super easy! I love sweet potatoes, and it had a lovely flavor. Will definitely make again!
I think 1 pound sweet potatoes is too little for 1 cup flour—mine looked dry at first and then suddenly sticky. Confusing recipe but edible.
Yeah, I’ve had that happen too—sweet potato size can really swing the moisture. I usually add flour gradually until it’s soft but not sticky.
Gnocchi is supposed to be soft! This was more like rocks! What went wrong???
Absolutely loved this gnocchi! So fluffy and delicious. Gonna make it again for sure! 😊
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites too! 😋
Why do people rave about this? Just tastes like dough to me.
Really? Gnocchi from sweet potatoes? Sounds weird.
Tried it but it was too sticky. I dunno if I measured wrong or what. Not making it again.
I love sweet potatoes but gnocchi? Nahhh, not for me. Tried it, won’t again.
Yum! 😍 Easy to make and delicious! Perfect with marinara sauce!
These were way better than I expected—sweet, pillowy, and not gummy. I used a little extra flour and it held up great.
Yes!! I’m so glad they weren’t gummy—sweet potato gnocchi can be tricky. Extra flour usually helps if the dough feels a bit sticky. What sauce did you use?
This was my first time making gnocchi and it went surprisingly well. I added a pinch of nutmeg because I’m that person lol—10/10 would try again.
I followed this pretty much exactly and they turned out pillowy and sweet. Baking the potatoes first really helps—no soggy dough for me. I did need a bit extra flour while forming the ropes, but that’s expected.
Sweet potatoes? Isn’t that too sweet for gnocchi? I prefer the regular kind. Doubt this recipe will convince me otherwise.
I thought the same too, but they taste amazing! You might be surprised if you give it a try.
These are the best gnocchi I’ve ever made! So soft and delicious.
Absolutely! I made them too and my family loved it! Can’t believe how fluffy they turned out.
I don’t know… sweet potato gnocchi? Isn’t regular potato better? Just sounds weird to me.
This sounds good but I’m not a fan of sweet potatoes. Any suggestions?
Quick and easy! I love sweet potatoes, so this was a win-win for me.
Do I really need to bake sweet potatoes? Can’t I just boil them?
Boiling will change the texture! Baking makes them sweeter!
Pretty solid base recipe. I used a little less flour at first (because sweet potato varies), and ended up with dumplings that were lighter than expected. Next time I’ll weigh my potatoes—mine were slightly larger.
I followed it exactly and the gnocchi fell apart in the water 😩. Maybe my sweet potatoes were too wet? Any tips would be appreciated.
This gnocchi recipe is great! Took me back to Italy! 😊
I agree! This recipe really captures the heart of Italian cuisine. Can’t wait to try it myself! 🍽️
Really? I found it a bit bland. Maybe I did something wrong? 🤔
Sweet potato gnocchi? Sounds fancy but actually pretty simple! It was fun making them with the kids.
Sweet potato gnocchi?? Sounds weird. But I tried it and my fam loved it! Who woulda thought? Lol!
This recipe was a disaster! My gnocchi dissolved in the pot. 😢
I’m so sorry to hear that! Gnocchi can be tricky. Maybe the dough was too wet? 🤔
I made this for dinner last night, and my family devoured it! Yummy 😋
Delish! I grew up eating this in Italy, tastes just like mama used to make! ❤️
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about oven-baked sweet potatoes doing the job for gnocchi, but it totally worked. Definitely will make again with sage butter.
Sweet potato gnocchi sounds way easier than the usual potato mess 😄 Glad it worked for you—sage butter is the perfect move!
Good gnocchi. Would eat again.
Wasn’t super impressed. The dough was sticky, and I ended up adding too much flour.
I tried this recipe and it turned out great! My kids loved it! Gonna make it again next week. 😊
I’m not a fan of sweet potatoes, but these were ok. I had to add extra flour, they kept sticking. Meh.
I don’t understand why people rave about sweet potatoes. They taste weird. Maybe this is good tho?
These tasted sweet (in a good way) but I think I overcooked them—some got mushy after they floated. Next time I’ll pull them sooner.
Why would u ruin pasta with sweet potato? Gnocchi is supposed to be made with regular potatoes! Sad.
These were amazing! I never knew making gnocchi could be so easy. The sweet potatoes gave it a unique flavor. Will definitely make again!
This was so easy and tasted amazing! I never thought I could make gnocchi at home. Definitely making it again!
Wow, I tried this and it was a mess! My gnocchi turned out flat and gummy. What did I do wrong? 😩
Glad you liked it! Gnocchi can be tricky, but sweet potatoes are a game changer! 🥰
Really easy to follow but mine turned out a bit gooey. Maybe I used too much flour?
Yeah, I think too much flour can make it gooey. Maybe try less next time! It worked for me.
I don’t know, mine turned out kinda sticky. Maybe I added too much flour?
These came out super fluffy! I used a little extra flour while rolling so they didn’t stick, and the flavor of the sweet potato is really nice. Great weekend dinner.
Mine usually stick too 😅 I always add extra flour when rolling. But sweet potato flavor is the best part—nice weekend dinner for sure!
Love hearing that! I always worry gnocchi will turn out dense, so “super fluffy” is a win. What sauce did you go with?
Yummy! Just sprinkled some cinnamon on top for something extra! 😋
Gnocchi in 8 minutes? This is a myth. It took me forever and I got flour everywhere. 😂
Gnocchi? More like no-chi. I don’t get the hype.
I don’t know, it turned out kinda mushy for me. What did I do wrong? Followed the recipe exactly. Pretty disappointed.
Maybe you added too much flour or overcooked the gnocchi? It happens, don’t be too hard on yourself!
Gnocchi?? Why not just buy them at the store?? Anyway, my mom would never make this, too much time.
Wasn’t sure about the egg but it turned out fine! Thanks!
Yummy in my tummy! 😋
Mine turned out a bit dense. I think I added too much flour because the dough felt sticky. Still tasted great though, just not super light.
Ugh, that sounds frustrating—dense gnocchi is usually a flour/overmix issue. If the dough felt sticky, you might’ve needed *just* a little extra flour, not a lot. Next time, try adding flour 1–2 tablespoons at a time and stop as soon as it comes together.
Wait—did you weigh the flour or just scoop it? I’ve totally overfloured before and they turned out like little rocks 😅 But hey, if it still tasted great, you can always serve them with a heavier sauce to make up for the texture.
I don’t know what gnocchi is. Is it a pasta? I like potatoes tho.
Gnocchi is actually a type of pasta made with potatoes! It’s super tasty, you should definitely try making it!