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Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

This Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan topping (No Marshmallows) is creamy, nutty, and naturally sweetened with wholesome ingredients. It’s the perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish your family will request every year!
Course Side Dish
Keyword Thanksgiving side dish, Christmas side dish, vegetables
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

Topping Ingredients

  • 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened – Substitute: Use quick oats if you prefer a nut-free version.
  • ¼ cup butter melted but not hot - Substitute: Coconut oil or vegan butter for dairy-free.
  • ⅓ cup flour Gluten-free flour works well too.
  • ½ cup coconut sugar Substitute: Brown sugar or Maple syrup for a natural liquid sweetener (topping will not be crispy)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans Substitute: Walnuts or almonds.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Filling Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked sweet potatoes peeled
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ cup butter melted but not hot. Substitute coconut oil for dairy-free option.
  • ½ cup coconut sugar optional : substitute white or brown sugar

Instructions

  • Bake the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes, then pierce each several times with a fork. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until tender — about 40–45 minutes for small, 50–55 for medium, or 60–70 for large. Let cool, then peel and mash.
  • Lower the oven: Reduce heat to 350°F.
  • Mix the topping: In a large bowl, combine shredded coconut, butter, flour, sugar, pecans, and vanilla. Stir well until evenly coated.
  • Make the filling: In another bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Stir to blend. Pour into a greased baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Add the topping: Spoon the pecan mixture over the sweet potatoes.
  • Bake: Place on the middle rack and bake for 20–30 minutes or until golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.

Notes

Variations

  • Swap pecans for walnuts or omit nuts and use oats instead.
  • Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for a warm, spiced version.
  • Prefer marshmallows? Add a few on top near the end of baking for a half-and-half version.
  • Make it vegan by using coconut oil and flax eggs.