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This Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect Thanksgiving 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. The version we made was with canned sweet potatoes that have corn syrup and sugar added (!!) and then we proceeded to add more sugar. Needless to say it tasted good, but was more like dessert than a side dish.
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.
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 1/2 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 3/4 cup water. Place the lid on and close the valve. Hit the “manual” button and reduce it to 8 minutes. Quick release and drain.
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!
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.
Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole Print Recipe
- CourseSide Dish
- KeywordDairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo
| Prep Time |
| 30 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 30 minutes |
|
|
| Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole Print Recipe
|
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Layer
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup Golden Barrel Coconut Oil, melted
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
Pecan Topping
- 1 1/2 cups chopped raw pecans
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons Golden Barrel Coconut Oil, room temperature
Servings:
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 1/2 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 1/4 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.
Recipe Notes
Two other ways of making the sweet potatoes:
- 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 1/2 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 3/4 cup water. Place the lid on and close the valve. Hit the "manual" button and reduce it to 8 minutes. Quick release and drain.
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21 thoughts on "Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole"
Melissa says:November 22, 2017
I see the insta pot recipe what about just a regular crockpot? Will a crockpot work too?
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- Jessica DeMay says:
November 22, 2017
Hi Melissa- that may work for the sweet potato layer. Put the sweet potatoes and water in the slow cooker and let cook until tender, about 3-4 hours, then mash with other ingredients (coconut oil, almond milk, etc.) and continue with the rest of the recipe. I hope that helps!
Reply
- Jennifer says:
November 23, 2017
Can’t wait to try this! Have you tried to pre make this? I’m doubling my recipe for 2 separate thanksgiving meals, one is today and one is Saturday. Should I make up until the topping, store until Saturday and then make the topping and bake? Trying to save myself as much time as possible!
Reply
- Jessica DeMay says:
November 23, 2017
Hi Jennifer- you can double the sweet potato mixture and store it until Saturday. Yes, just make the filling and don’t top until before baking. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have more questions.
Reply
- Kristen says:
November 23, 2017
Did you melt the coconut oil and then let cool to room temp?
Reply
- Jessica DeMay says:
November 23, 2017
Hi Kristen- no, I just give the coconut a good stir so there are no large pieces. It’s a little hard right now since it’s cold, but warming it and letting it cool would take a while. You want it to be the consistency of room temperature butter. I hope that helps!
- CC says:
December 13, 2017
This was so good! We will be having again for Christmas!!
Reply
- Jessica DeMay says:
December 14, 2017
Thanks, CC! I’m so glad you enjoyed it enough to make again. Thanks for the great feedback!
Reply
- Amanda says:
November 8, 2018
I am looking to make this for our Friendsgiving. We will have around 30+ people. Would doing a double batch be enough?
Reply
- Jessica DeMay says:
November 8, 2018
Hi Amanda- I don’t think a double batch is enough unless there will be so much food that you don’t think everyone will eat it. I’d say triple it to be safe. Hope everyone enjoys!
Reply
- Amanda says:
November 9, 2018
Thank you Jessica for your quick response! There will be a lot of food so I went with a double batch. I’m sure it will go quickly though – I can’t wait to dive in to this deliciousness!
Reply
- Anissa Hernandez says:
November 20, 2018
Hello!
Can you microwave the sweet potatoes instead of baking them in oven?Reply
- Anissa Hernandez says:
November 21, 2018
Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!
Reply
- Frankie Bea-Ayco CDC k says:
November 20, 2018
Do you have to mash I like mine lumpy just smash with fork. Is that ok?
Reply
- Jen says:
December 25, 2018
In the instant pot does the topping come out crispy like an over would?
Reply
- Jessica DeMay says:
December 26, 2018
Hi Jen- the Instant Pot is only for the sweet potatoes, it would still be topped and baked in the oven. I hope that helps. Enjoy!
Reply
- Chelsea says:
December 29, 2018
Have you tried this with any other flours? I don’t have almond on hand but I have coconut or tapioca flours, will either of these work?
Reply
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