1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. (For Instant Pot Instructions, see below!)
2. Place sweet potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 45 minutes (or until juice from the potatoes are oozing).
4. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
5. Meanwhile, saute minced garlic cloves in the olive oil over medium heart until fragrant and turning light brown. About 2 minutes.
6. Remove the skin from the sweet potatoes and mash (in mixer, with a masher or a food meal) to desired consistency.
7. Add salt, pepper, butter, thyme and the garlic and oil mixture to the sweet potatoes.
8. Mix until well combined.
9. Serve warm.

For Instant Pot

1. Add steam basket to Instant Pot.
2. Pour in one cup of water.
3. Place sweet potatoes in steamer.
4. Close and lock the lid on the Instant Pot.
5. Move the vent to “Sealing” position.
6. Set on Steam setting and program for 15 minutes.
7. When complete allow IP to depressurize for about 15 minutes.
8. Move vent to “Venting.”
9. Remove lid and go back up to step number 5.