This Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect holiday side dish. Smooth, creamy sweet potatoes with a sweet crunchy pecan topping that is gluten free, dairy free, and naturally sweetened.
Growing up we always had sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving. I think most people do- and it is usually packed with sugar.
This made-over healthier version is still sweet, but not over-the-top sweet. I used coconut sugar since it's low glycemic, more than honey or maple. It also has an amazing carmel-y brown sugar flavor. Real sweet potatoes take place of the canned kind. They are cooked and mashed with some coconut oil, almond milk, coconut sugar, and cinnamon. Then a couple eggs are added to help bind it all together. It feels nostalgic while meeting many dietary needs.
Sweet Potato Cooking Options
When making the sweet potatoes you have option on how to cook them. I really wanted to use my Instant Pot, but know not everyone has one so I went with the traditional stove-top. So here are the ways:
- Stove-top: Peel and cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. In a large pot cover them with cold water, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Cover and cook until fork tender- about 20-23 minutes. Drain and add back to pot.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 450° degrees. Wash potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Bake until soft and a fork easily goes through the center- about 1-1 ½ hours. Let cook enough to handle and slice in half. Scoop the inside out into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.
- Instant Pot: Peel and cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. Place in Instant Pot and add ¾ cup water. Place the lid on and close the valve. Hit the "manual" button and reduce it to 8 minutes. Quick release and drain.
Pecan Topping
Now lets talk about the star of the dish-- THE PECAN TOPPING!! Pure deliciousness! It gives a much needed crunch to the soft sweet potatoes. It is basically candied pecans and the most delicious topping ever! You will love how easy it is to make, just a mixture of chopped pecans, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and coconut oil. When it bakes it turns into irresistible clusters that are sweet and crunchy. Like a streusel topping and it's so good!
Make Ahead Option
This dish can be made partly ahead of time. The sweet potatoes can be cooked, mashed with all their ingredients and put in a baking dish then refrigerated. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge for at least 30 minutes, top with pecan mixture and bake. That should make your Thanksgiving so much easier! You can even have most of the pecan mixture ready by chopping the pecans and measuring out the almond flour.
You will love this version of the traditional side dish. It will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal.
Here are my other Thanksgiving recipes that you'll enjoy: Paleo Whole30 Mashed Potatoes, Paleo Whole30 Green Bean Casserole, Paleo Whole30 Cream of Mushroom, Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars, and Paleo Pumpkin Coffee Cake.
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Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Layer
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes about 3 large
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
Pecan Topping
- 1 ½ cups chopped raw pecans
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and get a out an 8x11 baking dish. This could also be made in a 13x9, but won’t be as thick.
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place them in a large pot, cover them with cold water and ½ teaspoon of salt and bring them to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until fork tender. 20-23 minutes.
- While sweet potatoes are cooking, make the pecan topping. In a medium bowl combine pecans, sugar, almond flour, cinnamon and salt. Add the coconut oil and mix until well combined. I find using my hands works best for this. The mixture should be the consistency of wet sand that will pack if you squeeze it into a ball.
- Once sweet potatoes are done, drain and add them back to the pot. Add in coconut oil and almond milk and mash until smooth. Add in coconut sugar and cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt and mix again.
- Stir in eggs and mix until completely combined. Use an immersion blender if desired.
- Scoop sweet potato mixture into the baking dish and top with pecan mixture. Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes:
- Oven: Preheat oven to 450° degrees. Wash potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Bake until soft and a fork easily goes through the center- about 1-1 ½ hours. Let cook enough to handle and slice in half. Scoop the inside out into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.
- Instant Pot: Peel and cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. Place in Instant Pot and add ¾ cup water. Place the lid on and close the valve. Hit the "manual" button and reduce it to 8 minutes. Quick release and drain.
Sharon says
What other oil can I use in place of coconut oil
Jessica DeMay says
Avocado would work well, ghee or a dairy free butter.
J says
Delicious
Made this for Thanksgiving, Will be making again.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, J 🙂
Darby says
Absolutely delicious!! I tried this last year and am making it again because it was such a hit. Love that it can be made the day before too!
K says
Made this last year and we can't WAIT to have it again for Thanksgiving AND Christmas! Thank you!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks! So glad you love it and will be making it again 🙂
Julie says
I was wondering what you thought about not making the sweet potato part creamed, just having it chunky would I still add those ingredients to it or just do the top crumble part?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Julie- I think that would be delicious! The casserole my mom made growing up was kind of like that. Chunks of sweet potatoes with a topping. Definitely worth trying. Hope you enjoy!