SWEET POTATO APPLE CASSEROLE

I can’t tell you how much I love this sweet potato apple casserole! It’s been a staple at our Thanksgiving table for years, and I’m excited to share this lightened-up take on the classic sweet potato casserole. This cozy, comforting casserole combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and apples with a touch of maple syrup and warm spices for a balanced flavor that’s just right, not overly sweet.

We kept it on the lighter side by using applesauce for a hint of natural sweetness, making it a healthier holiday side dish without sacrificing taste. And, of course, we topped it off with a layer of golden-toasted marshmallows for that irresistible finishing touch. I hope this healthy sweet potato casserole brings as much warmth and joy to your holiday table as it does to ours!

Why You Will Love This Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

• This sweet potato casserole is a healthier version of the traditional! We have significantly reduced the sugar content, using only two tablespoons of sweetener.
• Applesauce adds a delicious hint of apple flavor and natural sweetness to this sweet potato casserole!
• This sweet potato casserole is balanced! It’s delicious without being overly sweet.
• It’s finished with the classic marshmallow topping!
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan.

What Is A Sweet Potato Casserole?

This sweet potato casserole is a must-have Thanksgiving side dish that combines creamy, mashed sweet potatoes with warm spices for a cozy, comforting flavor. Our healthy sweet potato casserole recipe is lightened up with no butter or oil, using a touch of unsweetened applesauce for natural sweetness and a hint of apple flavor. With less added sugar and a blend of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, this dish captures all the classic flavors without being overly sweet. It’s a delicious addition to any holiday table!

Ingredients Needed

• Sweet Potatoes: Use 3-3.5 pounds of sweet potatoes.
• Milk: Use unsweetened vanilla almond milk or your milk of choice.
• Maple Syrup: Sweeten this sweet potato casserole with maple syrup, sugar-free maple syrup, or honey.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Add pumpkin pie spice for a warm and cozy flavor.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds delicious flavor.
• Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce. It adds natural sweetness and a subtle apple flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Add vanilla extract for added flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Add salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
• Marshmallows: Top this sweet potato casserole with mini marshmallows.
• Pecans: As an option, add chopped toasted pecans for even more flavor and some crunch.

Preparing The Sweet Potatoes For Your Casserole

There are a few different ways to cook sweet potatoes before mashing, so choose the method that works best for you. For this recipe, we boiled them.

Boiling: Peel and chop the sweet potatoes, then place them in a pot of boiling water. Boil for 15-20 minutes or until tender, then drain well.

Roasting: For a richer flavor, try roasting. Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until soft.

Baking Whole: For a simpler method, bake the sweet potatoes whole. Poke a few holes in each potato to allow steam to escape, then bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Once cooled, scoop out the flesh with a spoon and discard the skins.

Microwave: Microwaving sweet potatoes typically takes five to ten minutes, depending on the size and thickness. For small and medium sweet potatoes, they take about 5-7 minutes, and for large sweet potatoes around 8-10 minutes. To microwave, pierce each sweet potato a few times with a fork, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and cook on high. Start with 5 minutes, then check for tenderness by inserting a fork. If it needs more time, continue in 1-minute increments until soft.

After cooking, mash the sweet potatoes until smooth and continue with this recipe as directed.

How To Make Sweet Potato Apple Casserole

Step 1: Wash, peel, and chop the sweet potatoes into even-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size.

Step 2: Add the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes to a large pot. Fill the pot with cold water and salt the water with 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of salt.

Step 3: Bring the sweet potatoes to a boil. Once boiling, cook them for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender.

Step 4: Drain the boiled sweet potatoes in a strainer.

Step 5: Add the drained sweet potatoes back to the pot. Then, use a potato masher to mash the sweet potatoes.

Step 6: Add the milk, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, applesauce, vanilla extract, salt, and pepper to the pot.

Mix to combine these ingredients.

Step 7: Lightly spray a 9×9 baking dish with oil. Then, transfer the sweet potato mixture to the baking dish.

After that, sprinkle the mini marshmallows and optional chopped pecans on top.

Step 8: Bake the sweet potato casserole at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet potato apple casserole pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes! It’s a delicious addition to a comforting meal for a Thanksgiving feast. Here are some of our favorite dishes to serve alongside this casserole.

• Turkey or Chicken: Roasted turkey or chicken is a classic option for Thanksgiving. The poultry balances the sweetness of the casserole and brings depth to the meal. We especially love serving this casserole for Thanksgiving alongside our turkey stuffing meatballs drizzled with homemade gravy.
• Ham: Cooked ham has a sweet and salty flavor that pairs perfectly with this casserole! It enhances the flavors without being overpowering.
• Green Beans: Serve it with a side of crispy green beans or a green bean casserole.
• Roasted Vegetables: We love serving this sweet potato casserole with a side of roasted brussels sprouts or air fryer carrots.
• Potatoes: Serve this casserole with a side of air fryer potatoes, cauliflower mashed potatoes, or cottage cheese mashed potatoes!
• Cranberry Sauce: The sweet and tart flavors of cranberry sauce complement this casserole.
• Stuffing: Serve it with stuffing, another classic side, for a warm, cozy, and savory flavor profile.

Expert Tips

• Start With Cold Water: For even cooking, place the sweet potatoes in a pot of cold water before bringing it to a boil. This gradual increase in temperature helps the sweet potatoes cook more uniformly.
• Buy Peeled and Chopped Sweet Potatoes: To save time on prep, use pre-peeled and chopped sweet potatoes instead of peeling and chopping them yourself. This convenient option keeps this recipe quick and easy.
• Pre-Cook Whole Sweet Potatoes: To save time when preparing this dish, bake the whole sweet potatoes in advance. When you’re ready to make the casserole, simply scoop out the inside and proceed with the recipe.
• Don’t Over-Mix The Filling: When mashing the sweet potatoes, mix just until smooth and combined to avoid a gummy texture. Over-mixing can release too much starch, which can in turn make the casserole dense.

Storage Instructions

To Store: Store leftover sweet potato apple casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

To Reheat: You can reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Or, reheat this casserole by placing it in an oven-safe dish and baking at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.

Variations

• Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitution: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can easily make your own! Simply use 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (instead of the 1/2 teaspoon called for in the recipe) along with 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
• Milk To Use: You can use your milk of choice. Some options are non-fat or 2% milk. Or, use plant-based milk such as almond, oat, soy, or cashew milk.
• Add Butter: We didn’t add any butter to this sweet potato casserole recipe! However, for added creaminess, add 1-2 tablespoons of light butter if desired.
• Sweet Potato Casserole Topping Variation: We kept the traditional sweet potato casserole topping and added mini marshmallows as well as chopped toasted pecans. For another option, add a pecan oat crumble topping instead.
• Sugar-Free Option: You can make this recipe sugar-free by using sugar-free maple syrup and sugar-free marshmallows. Or, omit the marshmallows altogether and choose a different casserole topping variation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Casserole Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the sweet potato filling and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking. Just make sure to add the marshmallows on the day of cooking.

How Long Does Sweet Potato Apple Casserole Last?

This sweet potato apple casserole will last up to four days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.

Can I Freeze Sweet Potato Casserole?

Yes, you can freeze this sweet potato apple casserole! Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Then, freeze it for 1-2 months.

Can I Add A Different Topping?

Yes! We went with the classic marshmallow topping for this sweet potato casserole! We also added chopped toasted pecans for crunch and flavor. You can customize your casserole by choosing your favorite topping: stick with just marshmallows, just chopped pecans, or create a delicious crumb topping made with oats, flour, melted butter, brown sugar, pecans, and a pinch of cinnamon. Whichever you choose, this sweet potato casserole is sure to be a hit!

Is Sweet Potato Casserole Vegan?

This sweet potato apple casserole can easily be made vegan. There is no butter in this recipe. Just ensure that you use dairy-free milk, such as almond milk. Also, use vegan marshmallows or omit the marshmallows.

More Recipes To Try Next!

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
• Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Air Fryer Red Potatoes
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
• Healthy Pumpkin Pie

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.