Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

This absolutely delicious homemade vegan sweet potato casserole recipe is here just in time for Thanksgiving dinner!

Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

Both vegans and non vegans will love this version of the classic Thanksgiving dish – and there’s one secret baking trick that makes all the difference.

Whether you’re a full vegan, a vegetarian, or an omnivore who’s simply interested in providing more healthy and plant based options at your holiday dinner feast, definitely give this recipe a try.

Also try this Vegan Cornbread Recipe

The Secret Baking Trick

Most traditional sweet potato casserole recipes call for steaming the sweet potatoes separately, then piling on a ridiculous amount of butter and sugar—shockingly up to a full cup of sugar in some recipes—and baking the casserole in the oven.

I think this is a huge mistake not only because it’s disgustingly unhealthy, but because it completely wastes the natural sweetness and flavor of the actual sweet potatoes.

The problem with leaning on fat and sugar as a crutch in baking is something I’ve mentioned before in my Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe.

It’s not challenging to make anything taste good if you use enough sugar, oil, or butter; but at the same time, the flavor will be disappointingly nondescript.

This is especially unfortunate with something like sweet potato casserole because you have such an opportunity to take advantage of the vegetable’s ability to sweeten dishes naturally if cooked correctly.

So that’s where the secret baking trick comes in:

DO NOT steam your sweet potatoes.

Leftover sweet potatoes? Make this Sweet Potato Salad

Seriously, don’t steam them.

Instead, you want to bake them in the oven at high heat, bringing out their natural sugar as they magically caramelize into an irresistible candy-like indulgence.

Yes, when cooked correctly, sweet potatoes can taste like candy. I beg of you, don’t waste that opportunity by steaming them!

You Might Also Like: Mushroom Gravy – 6 Ingredients

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

This healthier take on traditional sweet potato casserole is the perfect plant-based side dish for any Thanksgiving dinner.

I made the recipe a few weeks ago for a Friendsgiving brunch and went home with an empty casserole dish.

Other dishes at the Friendsgiving included homemade cornbread, roasted brussels sprouts, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars, seitan roast with mushroom gravy, vegan stuffing, lentil dahl, baked nut loaf, pumpkin cookie dough dip, Butternut Squash Soup, and a three layer spice cake with vegan cream cheese frosting.

Pretty safe to say, no one missed the turkey one bit!

How to make sweet potato casserole

To save time, I like to bake the sweet potatoes the night before, but it’s not required.

For the vegan casserole recipe, start by lining a large pan with parchment paper. Cut about 10 slits with a knife into each sweet potato, going about a third of the way into the potato with each cut.

Place the yams on the prepared pan and set it on the oven’s center rack. Now turn on the oven to 480 degrees Fahrenheit. (Do not preheat the oven.)

Bake for 30 minutes, then turn and continue to bake 10-40 more minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes, until the natural sugars begin spreading onto the paper, which means they are nice and caramelized.

Remove the sweet potato skins, and measure a packed 3 1/2 cups of sweet potato into a large bowl. Mash with the nondairy milk, sweetener, nut butter or oil, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8-inch pan, and spread the filling evenly into the pan. Top with the vegan marshmallows, if using. (I like Trader Joe’s marshmallows, which are gluten free and made with no gelatin.)

Bake 20 minutes, or until the casserole filling is hot and the marshmallows have browned. Serve hot. Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Also see: How To Cook Sweet Potatoes

More Popular Fall Party Recipes:

Deep Dish Cookie Pie

Sweet Potato Brownies

Applesauce Cake

Pumpkin Muffins