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Before you can bake a sweet potato pie that tastes like Grandma’s, you’ve got to start with the star of the show… The sweet potatoes! And not just any sweet potatoes, properly cooked sweet potatoes. Because the texture, flavor, and richness of your pie all begin with how you treat those roots.

In soul food tradition, we don’t cut corners. We build flavor from the ground up. Whether you’re roasting them to bring out their natural sweetness or pressure cooking for speed without sacrifice, the way you cook your sweet potatoes sets the tone for a pie that’s smooth, rich, and full of legacy. Let’s talk about how to do it right—the soul food way!

What Is The Best Way To Cook Sweet Potatoes For Sweet Potato Pie?

Cooking sweet potatoes for sweet potato pie

Unlike pumpkin pie, where folks often reach for the can, sweet potato pie is built from scratch, the soul food way. That means cooking your sweet potatoes until they’re tender, then mashing and mixing them into a silky purée that forms the heart of this iconic Southern dessert.

And with so many key steps in this process, it’s important to know what mistakes to avoid. Start with the right roots: Jewel or Beauregard sweet potatoes are the gold standard for baking—naturally sweet, rich in flavor, and perfect for pie. Want to know why? I break it all down in my post on the best sweet potatoes for sweet potato pie.

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes for pie?

When it comes to making sweet potato pie with real depth and flavor, roasting—or pressure cooking—is the way to go! Roasting sweet potatoes at 400 degrees F or higher allows the heat to break down the starches into natural sugars, giving you a richer, sweeter taste that truly shines in your pie filling.

Once roasted, simply scoop out the tender flesh, discard the skins, and blend the sweet potatoes with your soulful spices and a few classic ingredients. Mix until smooth, pour into your pie crust, and you’re on your way to a slice of Southern tradition baked with love!

Can you use the Instant Pot to cook sweet potatoes for sweet potato pie?

Cooking sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot for pie

🥄 Shaunda says: Want to save time and keep the soul in your sweet potato pie? Let the Instant Pot do the heavy lifting! This modern kitchen must-have brings the heat, breaking down starches into natural sugars for that rich, sweet flavor we love. And the best part? It cooks your sweet potatoes to perfection in just 12 minutes! No need to babysit the oven and roast for nearly an hour.

Ready to try it the quick-and-soulful way? Check out my Instant Pot sweet potato pie recipe for detailed instructions to guide you every step of the way.

Should sweet potatoes be soaked in water before baking?

No need, when you’re making pie, soaking isn’t part of the process. Just cook ’em and keep it movin’.

Do you need to bake sweet potatoes in foil?

Nope! For pie, there’s no need to wrap them. But feel free to line your baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup while the potatoes roast to perfection.

Cooking sweet potatoes for sweet potato pie

Do sweet potatoes get sweeter when baked?

Yes! Roasting at 400 degrees F or higher brings the heat that turns starch into sugar, making your sweet potatoes naturally sweeter and perfect for baking into pie.

Can you microwave sweet potatoes for pie?

Microwaving? Nah, don’t do it. It cooks unevenly and ends up taking more time with constant check-ins. Trust the oven or Instant Pot.

When to peel sweet potatoes for pie

Peel them after they’re cooked! Once roasted or pressure-cooked, the skins slip right off. Quick, easy, and ready for mashing.