How to Make the Perfect Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter
Italian · Hard · 60 min · 4 servings
These pillowy homemade sweet potato gnocchi are pan-fried in nutty browned butter with fresh sage for an elegant and comforting Italian-inspired dinner. The natural sweetness of the potato pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized butter.
Why this recipe works
This Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 60 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 440 calories with 9g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 large sweet potatoes baked and cooled
- 1.5 cups all purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 large egg yolk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 leaves fresh sage
- 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Gnocchi Dough
Scoop the cooled baked sweet potato flesh into a bowl and mash until completely smooth. Mix in the egg yolk, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add flour and knead gently until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Do not add more flour than necessary.
Step 2: Shape the Gnocchi
Divide dough into 4 portions. Roll each portion into a long rope about half an inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into one inch pieces. Roll each piece over a fork to create the classic ridged pattern if desired.
Step 3: Boil the Gnocchi
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi in batches, dropping them in and retrieving them with a slotted spoon 30 seconds after they float to the surface. Transfer to a plate while you make the sauce.
Step 4: Brown Butter and Finish
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Add sage leaves and fry for 30 seconds. Add boiled gnocchi and toss to coat, cooking for 2 minutes until lightly crisped. Serve with Parmesan.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- all purpose flour → a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version
- fresh sage → fresh thyme or rosemary for a different herbal note
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding too much flour to the dough which creates dense heavy gnocchi instead of light pillowy ones
- Not working quickly enough with the soft dough which causes it to become sticky and unworkable as it warms up
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 440 calories, 9g protein, 70g carbs, 14g fat, 5g fiber.
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