Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

This wholesome candy potato casserole is vegan, gluten-free, decrease in sugar and made with a crunchy oatmeal pecan topping. It’s the right aspect dish in your vacation meal.

Candy potato casserole has all the time been my favourite vacation aspect dish. Creamy candy potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar topping… it’s actually one of the best factor ever.

Rising up my mother made candy potato casserole 3 times a 12 months (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter) and I used to be all the time so pumped to have it. Utilizing my mother’s candy potato casserole recipe as a information I used to be capable of make a wholesome model that’s crammed with better-for-you substances.

My mother’s recipe makes use of canned yams, white sugar, white flour, eggs and butter. With a number of small tweaks I used to be capable of make a more healthy, EBF-approved model that also has all the flavour and texture of the basic model I grew up with. And let me inform ya, we’d even choose this model a tiny bit greater than my mother’s, however we’ll preserve {that a} secret!

I do know some of us choose a marshmallow topping as an alternative of the brown sugar topping. In case you’re workforce marshmallow, be at liberty to strive my basic candy potato casserole as an alternative.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Excellent combo – The combo of creamy candy potatoes with a crunchy pecan sugar topping = chef’s kiss!
Actual substances – It’s made with wholesome, real-food substances substances.
Nice aspect dish – It’s the right aspect dish for the vacations that everybody will love!
Gluten-free and vegan – No butter, eggs or white flour wanted.

Substances Wanted

contemporary candy potatoes – we’re utilizing contemporary candy potatoes as an alternative of canned to make a candy potato puree. When searching for candy potatoes, search for agency, unwrinkled skins with deep orange flesh.
flaxseed – it is a alternative for the egg in a daily candy potato casserole.
coconut oil – I like utilizing this as a alternative for butter. You’ll be able to sub this for vegan butter and even common butter if you happen to don’t want the recipe to be vegan.
maple syrup – that is added to the candy potato puree for an additional trace of pure sweetness.
coconut milk – I choose to make use of canned coconut milk as a result of it’s wealthy and creamy, but when wanted you possibly can sub it for almond milk, oat milk or common milk if you happen to don’t want this dish to be vegan.
vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt – key taste enhancers.
brown sugar – this provides sweetness to the topping and makes it completely crunchy.
pecans – pecans add a nutty taste and crunch to the topping. I personally love the combo of candy potato and pecans.
rolled oats – for the topping. Use gluten-free rolled oats if wanted. I exploit Bob’s Purple Mill gluten-free rolled oats.
almond flour or oat flour – this helps bind the topping collectively. Oat flour and almond flour each work nice.

Casserole Substitutions

Oil: In case you don’t have coconut oil, you possibly can substitute it with vegan butter, common butter (if not vegan), or one other impartial oil like avocado oil.
Milk: As an alternative of canned coconut milk, be at liberty to make use of almond milk, oat milk, or common milk if you happen to don’t want the dish to be vegan. Simply ensure the milk you select is unsweetened.
Sugar: Swap out the brown sugar for coconut sugar, or date sugar for a distinct sweetener choice. You may also use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener for a lower-sugar choice.
Nuts: You probably have a nut allergy, substitute the pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for the same crunch. For a distinct taste, you possibly can additionally use walnuts or almonds.
Flour: Common all-purpose flour or entire wheat flour can be utilized if you happen to don’t want the recipe to be gluten-free.

How one can Make Wholesome Candy Potato Casserole

Able to get began? Simply comply with these straightforward steps to deliver this cozy casserole to life.

Step 1: Peel and chop candy potatoes into chunks. Cook dinner in a pot of water for 15-20 minutes, or till fork-tender.

Step 2: Mix the pecans, oats, flour and brown sugar in a bowl. Minimize in coconut oil with a fork or knife till the combination is sandy.

Step 3: Add candy potato chunks to a big mixing bowl and mash utilizing a fork or potato masher.

Step 4: Spoon the candy potato combination right into a ready baking dish and sprinkle pecan crumble topping over candy potatoes. Bake at 350°F uncovered for 40-45 minutes

Brittany’s Ideas

Don’t overmix: When mashing the candy potatoes, keep away from overmixing to stop them from turning into gummy. Just a few lumps are okay and add to the feel.
Chill the coconut oil: In case your coconut oil is simply too smooth, toss it within the fridge first. Chilly coconut oil helps create that good crumbly, golden topping. Belief me, it’s value it for that crunch!
Chop evenly: Intention for similar-sized chunks so the potatoes prepare dinner evenly. Nobody likes biting into half-mushy, half-crunchy candy potatoes.

What to Serve with Candy Potato Casserole

Candy potato casserole is a wonderful vacation aspect dish and a private favourite for Thanksgiving dinner. Right here’s what I sometimes prefer to serve alongside candy potato casserole:

Important entree – This wholesome candy potato casserole pairs completely with a vacation most important like roast turkey or a comfortable, plant-based lentil loaf . The creamy, savory-sweet flavors make it a match for both choice!
Different sides – Candy potato casserole suits proper in with basic sides like, inexperienced bean casserole, mashed cauliflower, vegan cornbread, butternut squash quinoa stuffing, wild rice stuffing or cranberry sauce.
Salads – Add a contemporary, seasonal salad to steadiness the wealthy flavors. The casserole is scrumptious with my roasted butternut squash salad or kale and brussels sprout salad.
Roasted greens – Full your vacation plate with roasted veggies like maple roasted kabocha squash, roasted carrots or roasted root greens
Dessert – Wrap up the meal with a basic dessert! My wholesome apple crisp, pecan pie brownies, vegan chocolate pie or vegan pumpkin pie deliver the right candy ending to your vacation feast.

How one can Retailer Leftovers

Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. You’ll be able to reheat the candy potato casserole on the stovetop, within the oven or microwave.

I don’t advocate freezing it as a result of the consistency would seemingly change.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

How can I make this casserole forward of time?

I choose to prep the candy potato base, retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge after which prep the topping individually. On the morning you serve it, merely place the candy potato combination in a casserole dish, add the topping and bake because the directions counsel. If you need it to be totally cooked, you possibly can bake your entire casserole forward of time and preserve it within the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat, warmth the oven to 350°F and warmth for about 20 minutes, or till the casserole is heat.

How can I forestall candy potato casserole from turning into too watery?

Make certain that you drain the candy potatoes nicely after boiling and don’t add an excessive amount of liquid to the candy potato combination. In case your casserole nonetheless appears watery, you possibly can bake it a bit longer uncovered to permit a few of the extra moisture to evaporate.