Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (2024)

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Thanksgiving Day is a day that should be relaxing and full of delicious foods as you gather around the Thanksgiving table. However, meal planning for this big day can be stressful. This definitely isn’t the first holiday I’ve been scrambling to come up with side dishes that all of my guests will love.

After perfecting my new favorite holiday side dish, I’m finally be able to share with you a big winner at my holiday meal. Introducing you to my Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole. This is the best sweet potato casserole recipe I’ve enjoyed, and it’s a healthier version than the classic potato casserole. This will hands down be your new perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

Our sweet potato casserole is gluten-free and made with wholesome ingredients like roasted sweet potatoes, coconut milk, almond flour, and coconut sugar – no refined brown sugar or white sugar in this recipe!

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (1)

Table of Contents

Where’s the recipe?

Over here at My Crazy Good Life we not only like to create healthy recipes, but we try to make them as helpful and informative as possible. In this article, you’ll find ingredient information, detailed cooking instructions, recipe tips, and nutrition and healthy eating plan calculations.

If you’d like to get straight to the recipe, and bypass all the extra info, just scroll down to the bottom of the page where you’ll find the easy to print recipe card for thisHealthy Sweet Potato Casserole!

Ingredients in Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

  • Sweet potatoes: fresh sweet potatoes are a naturally sweet vegetable that is packed full of vitamins and minerals. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, like purple, orange, and white. I usually pick the orange variety for this recipe.
  • Coconut sugar: coconut sugar is a healthier alternative to brown sugar or white sugar.
  • Butter: I love the richness of butter in this recipe, but if you’d like to make this a vegan sweet potato casserole, you could use a vegan butter substitute like Earth Balance or coconut oil, though I’ve never tried it those ways.
  • Vanilla extract: you really want to make sure you get real, pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla.
  • Coconut milk: I like to use canned coconut milk for this recipe.
  • Eggs: Aquafaba can be used as an egg substitute if you are wanting to modify the recipe to be completely vegan. https://mycrazygoodlife.com/what-is-aquafaba/
  • Almond flour: I use almond flour to keep this recipe gluten free. If you don’t have almond flour, and don’t follow a gluten free diet, you could use whole wheat flour or oat flour – however I haven’t tried these substitutions personally.
  • Pecans: pecans are a great crunchy topping and add flavor to this recipe! In addition to being delicious, they’re also a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. If you have nut allergies, just omit the pecan topping from your recipe.
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (2)

How to Make Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole in the Instant Pot/Oven

  1. Cook your sweet potatoes. (see recipe tips)
  2. In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes using a potato masher. Then add ½ cup coconut sugar, ½ cup of melted butter, vanilla, coconut milk, and eggs, and stir to combine. You can mix by hand or with an electric mixer. Make sure all large chunks are visible.
  3. Grease a casserole or baking dish and then add the sweet potato mixture to the dish. Spread with a spatula to create an even layer.
  4. In a medium sized bowl, add a ¼ cup of melted butter and a ¼ cup coconut sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then mix in almond flour and chopped pecans. Stir until well mixed and crumbly.
  5. Sprinkle the pecan mixture on top of the casserole.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 350ºF for 30 minutes.
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (3)

Recipe tips

  • I love tocook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot, because they come out perfect every time and I can mash them right up! You can also bake, boil or use any other method that you prefer to get them cooked and mashable.
  • I prefer to use canned coconut milk, but you can also use almond milk.
  • If you’re following the 21 Day Fix and want more FIX approved Thanksgiving recipes, like green bean casserole, check outthis post.
  • Let the healthier sweet potato casserole cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container if any leftovers are remaining.
  • If you are looking to make this vegan – substitute out regular butter for vegan butter or use coconut oil. You can also sub out the eggs for aquafaba or chia seeds.

Healthy eating plans

21 Day Fix

Entire recipe = 12 servings

Casserole plus topping per serving:

1/2 yellow container, 3 sweetener teaspoons, 3 oil teaspoon, about 1/12 red container (I wouldn’t even count this), and about 1/2 blue container.

2B Mindset

This recipe counts as a Fiber Filled Carb (FFC) or a silly carb, so you’ll still want to eat it in moderation and within the limits of the program. But, it’s not off limits like some marshmallow varieties would be.

Weight Watchers

Points per serving, using unsweetened almond milk in place of the coconut milk

11 Blue Plan Points | 12 Green Plan Points | 10 Purple Plan Points | 2023 Points: 12 (when using unsweetened almond milk)

Looking for more healthy holiday side dishes?

  • My Healthy Thanksgiving Menu
  • Perfect Instant Pot Roast Turkey
  • Sweet Stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Vegan Cauliflower Stuffing
  • Mashed Cauliflower
  • Garlic Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
  • Dairy Free Butternut Squash Soup
  • Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
  • Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (4)

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (5)

5 from 4 ratings

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Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Created by: Becca Ludlum

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings

If you’re looking for a healthy casserole dish for your Thanksgiving dinner, look no further! You won’t miss the traditional marshmallow topping when tasting our crunchy pecan crumble that tops this mashed sweet potato casserole. So sit back, relax, and let us help you serve incredible and healthy food this holiday season.

Equipment

  • Baking Dish

  • Mixing Bowls

  • Instant Pot 6 qt

Ingredients

Bottom Layer:

  • 3 cups sweet potatoes boiled, peeled, and mashed
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup coconut milk or almond milk
  • 2 eggs

Optional: salt to taste

    Topping:

    • ¼ cup butter
    • ¼ cup coconut sugar
    • ½ cup almond flour
    • ½ cup pecans chopped

    Instructions

    • Cook your sweet potatoes. (see recipe tips) 3 cups sweet potatoes

    • In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes using a potato masher. Then add coconut sugar, melted butter, vanilla, coconut milk, and eggs, and stir to combine. You can mix by hand or with an electric mixer. Make sure all large chunks are visible. ½ cup coconut sugar, ½ cup butter, 1 tsp vanilla, ½ cup coconut milk, 2 eggs

    • Grease a casserole or baking dish and then add the sweet potato mixture to the dish. Spread with a spatula to create an even layer.

    • In a medium sized bowl, add a ¼ cup of melted butter and a ¼ cup coconut sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then mix in almond flour and chopped pecans. Stir until well mixed and crumbly. ¼ cup butter, ¼ cup coconut sugar, ½ cup almond flour, ½ cup pecans

    • Sprinkle the pecan mixture on top of the casserole.

    • Bake in a preheated oven at 350ºF for 30 minutes.

    Notes

    Recipe tips:

    • I love to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot, because they come out perfect every time and I can mash them right up! You can also bake, boil or use any other method that you prefer to get them cooked and mashable.
    • I like to use canned coconut milk, but you can also use almond milk.
    • If you’re following the 21 Day Fix and want more FIX approved Thanksgiving recipes, like green bean casserole, check out this post.
    • Let the healthier sweet potato casserole cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container if any leftovers are remaining.
    • If you are looking to make this vegan – substitute out regular butter for vegan butter or use coconut oil. You can also sub out the eggs for aquafaba or chia seeds.

    21 Day Fix

    Entire recipe = 12 servings

    Casserole plus topping per serving:

    1/2Y, 3 sweetener tsp, 3 oil tsp, about 1/12R (I wouldn’t even count this), and about 1/2B

    2B Mindset

    This recipe counts as a Fiber Filled Carb (FFC) or a silly carb, so you’ll still want to eat it in moderation and within the limits of the program. But, it’s not off limits like some marshmallow varieties would be :)

    Weight Watchers

    Points per serving, using unsweetened almond milk in place of the coconut milk

    • 11 Blue Plan Points | 12 Green Plan Points | 10 Purple Plan Points | 2023 Points: 12 (when using unsweetened almond milk)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 5111IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

    Make This Recipe?

    Make sure to follow on Pinterest @bludlum and on Instagram @beccaludlum

    Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (6)

    Becca Ludlum

    Healthy recipe creator, self-confessed food snob, and certified Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach. I create healthy recipes with minimally processed ingredients, but have never turned down a homemade brownie. ;)

    Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes? ›

    Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

    What is a healthy alternative to butter on sweet potatoes? ›

    For something smoky, tangy, and nicely salty, smear some plain Greek yogurt on your sweet potato, then layer with smoked fish, scallions, and briny capers. Roast whatever mushrooms you have until crispy. Thin some tahini, adding a little yogurt for creaminess. Or mix hummus and yogurt, and spread on your potato.

    Are canned sweet potatoes as healthy as fresh sweet potatoes? ›

    Unlike most other canned vegetables, which suffer significant nutrient loss during processing, canned sweet potatoes (yams) are just as nutritious as fresh. This simple recipe for mashed sweet potatoes, apples and honey calls for canned sweet potatoes and jarred chunky applesauce.

    How many calories in a sweet potato casserole? ›

    Sweet potato, casserole or mashed contains 235 calories per 250 g serving. This serving contains 5.9 g of fat, 4.2 g of protein and 42 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 19 g sugar and 4.8 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate.

    Are sweet potatoes more fattening than regular potatoes? ›

    Sweet potatoes contain more calories, carbohydrates and fat than regular boiled potato, but the regular potato had more protein. Perhaps unsurprisingly, boiled sweet potatoes contain more than 14 times the amount of sugar of regular boiled potatoes (11.6g compared to 0.8g per 100g).

    Can I eat sweet potatoes every day? ›

    If knowing the benefits of sweet potatoes has you ready to eat them regularly, you may be wondering if the adage “too much of a good thing” applies. While both our experts say eating a sweet potato a day is certainly healthy, they don't recommend more than that, since there are plenty of other vegetables to enjoy too.

    What tastes like butter but is healthy? ›

    The following foods have consistencies that are ideal for spreads, in addition to being tasty and nutritious:
    • Olive oil. Combine some olive oil with basil and pepper for a zesty spread.
    • Nut butter. Peanut and almond butter can easily be spread onto toast or crackers.
    • Cheese. ...
    • Avocado. ...
    • Hummus.

    What is a good carb substitute for sweet potatoes? ›

    Butternut Squash: Similar to sweet potatoes in flavor and texture, butternut squash is a good low-carb alternative. It contains less than 12 grams of carbs and is high in nutrients such as vitamins A and C, magnesium, and potassium.

    What can I put on my baked potato instead of butter? ›

    Try whipped butter or a spray or fat free spread, or drizzle on some olive oil. Fresh herbs, added to a low fat Ranch dressing can perk up that potato without all the added fat or calories. One of my favorites is just to add fresh salsa.

    Should I rinse canned sweet potatoes? ›

    Rinsing sweet potatoes of any leftover sugary film will uphold their integrity, giving you the most authentic sweet potato taste and texture. Most sweet potato recipes value the natural taste and texture of the yam first and foremost, adding sugar or seasonings separately instead of incorporating the canning liquid.

    Are sweet potatoes anti-inflammatory? ›

    The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes has been shown to fight inflammation, and eating them regularly can help ease joint pain and other symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. If you're looking for a delicious way to reduce inflammation, add some sweet potatoes to a salad or bake alongside protein!

    Can diabetics eat sweet potatoes? ›

    You can still eat sweet potatoes if you have diabetes, assures Huff. The fiber content in sweet potatoes, especially if you consume them with the skin on, can help reduce spikes in your blood sugar. Plus, how you cook your sweet potatoes can also help reduce the extent to which your blood sugar rises.

    How many carbs in a half cup of sweet potato casserole? ›

    Publix Sweet Potato Casserole (0.5 cup) contains 37g total carbs, 35g net carbs, 5g fat, 3g protein, and 210 calories.

    Does baking a sweet potato add calories? ›

    The nutrition facts for raw and baked sweet potatoes can be vastly different. One cup of raw sweet potato may contain 114 calories, 26.8 grams of carbs and 5.6 g sugar, whereas one cup of baked sweet potato may contain 180 calories, 41.4 g carbs and 16.9 g sugar. That's a big increase in carbs and sugars.

    How many calories are in 1/2 cup of sweet potato casserole? ›

    Family Size - Stop & Shop
    Nutrition Facts
    For a Serving Size of 0.5 cup (136g)
    How many calories are in Sweet Potato Casserole? Amount of calories in Sweet Potato Casserole: Calories 190Calories from Fat 54 (28.4%)
    % Daily Value *
    17 more rows

    Are sweet potatoes healthier cooked or raw? ›

    Although cooking sweet potatoes slightly reduces their beta carotene content according to some older studies, they still retain at least 70% of this nutrient and are considered an excellent source ( 33 , 34 ).

    Is it healthier to steam or bake sweet potatoes? ›

    Steaming is also one of the best ways to keep sweet potatoes' nutrients intact; their naturally high vitamin, potassium, fiber, and beta-carotene content won't be burned off in a steamer basket. Both boiling and steaming also keeps the potatoes' glycemic index down, meaning less of a blood sugar spike for you.

    What's the best way to eat sweet potatoes? ›

    Top 10 Ways To Enjoy Sweet Potatoes
    1. Bake, Roast, or Steam 'em! Pick a cooking method and enjoy!
    2. Mash 'em! ...
    3. Top Your Salad. ...
    4. Sweet Potato Fries. ...
    5. Grill 'em! ...
    6. The New Potato Salad. ...
    7. Sweet Potato Pancakes! ...
    8. Add a Twist to Your Sandwiches. ...

    How healthy is a baked sweet potato? ›

    Sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber to support your eye, digestive and heart health. They're generally safe to eat daily, especially if you eat them with calcium to prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones. There are so many fun and tasty ways to eat sweet potatoes.

    References

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