Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

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

The best vegan sweet potato casserole

Both vegans and non vegans love this plant based version of the classic Thanksgiving dish, and guests ask me for the recipe every time I serve it.

The casserole calls for just a few basic ingredients.

And one important secret baking trick makes this the best sweet potato casserole recipe you will ever taste.

Whether you are a vegetarian, fully vegan, or an omnivore who is simply interested in providing more healthy and dairy free options at your holiday dinner feast, definitely be sure to give this gluten free vegan sweet potato dish a try.

Also try this Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Tips for a better sweet potato casserole

Most traditional sweet potato casserole recipes call for steaming the sweet potatoes separately, then piling on a ridiculous amount of butter and sugar before baking everything in the oven.

Shockingly, many recipes contain up to a full cup of sugar even before adding a brown sugar streusel or marshmallow topping.

I think this is a huge mistake. Not only is it less healthy, it also 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 that, while anyone can make a recipe taste good if they use enough sugar, oil, or butter, 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 this is where the secret baking trick comes in: Do not steam your sweet potatoes.

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

Leftover sweet potatoes? Make Sweet Potato Salad

Step by step Thanksgiving recipe video

Above, watch the vegan sweet potato casserole video

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 fully vegan Friendsgiving brunch and went home with an empty casserole dish.

Other dishes at the gathering of friends included Vegan Mac And Cheese, roasted brussels sprouts, multiple Cauliflower Recipes, frosted Applesauce Muffins, baked nut loaf with mushroom gravy, and a Vegan Pecan Pie.

It is pretty safe to say that no one missed the turkey one bit!

The ingredients

To make a vegan sweet potato casserole recipe, you will need sweet potato, nondairy milk, salt, sweetener, ground cinnamon, ginger, and toppings of choice.

Sweet Potato – White, purple, or orange sweet potatoes work equally well here. And you may use Beauregard, Garnet, Jewel, or Japanese sweet potatoes.

I recommend choosing thinner sweet potatoes at the grocery store, because they bake more evenly.

Milk – Use your favorite dairy free milk, such as oat milk, soy milk, or rice milk. I am partial to coconut milk because it yields the creamiest texture.

Or go with unsweetened almond milk or cashew milk for a low calorie dish.

Spices – Ground cinnamon and ginger add Thanksgiving flavor to the vegan casserole. Salt compliments the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. You may also add a pinch of nutmeg or a teaspoon of orange zest.

Sugar – Choose any all purpose sweetener, such as pure maple syrup or agave, granulated sugar or unrefined coconut sugar.

For an added sugar free option, try xylitol or erythritol.

If you are making this sweet potato recipe to serve to vegan guests, it is important to note that honey is not vegan.

Optional ingredients – I love to add richness to the dish by stirring in just two or three tablespoons of plant based butter, almond butter, coconut oil, or tahini.

Vegan sweet potato casserole toppings

Old fashioned sweet potato casseroles are typically topped with either mini marshmallows or crunchy cinnamon pecan streusel.

However, you can also garnish your vegan Thanksgiving recipe with a layer of shredded coconut and pineapple, oatmeal granola, or almond or walnut pralines.

Or use the buttery crumble topping from this Vegan Coffee Cake.

For those who want to top their casseroles with mini, regular size, or jumbo marshmallows, Dandies and Trader Joe’s both offer marshmallows without gelatin.

Do vegan marshmallows melt?

Heat causes the gelatin in non vegan marshmallows to break down. Since plant based marshmallows contain no gelatin, they do not melt when heated.

This does not affect the deliciousness of the dish, so feel free to pile your recipe high with fluffy plant based marshmallows.

Or if you want a smooth melted marshmallow finish, you can do what I did and add both marshmallows and marshmallow fluff to the top.

Smucker’s marshmallow flavored spoonable topping is surprisingly accidentally vegan. Or you can make your own homemade Vegan Marshmallow Fluff.

A few other brands of vegan marshmallow fluff are available in health food and regular grocery stores. Look out for egg whites when you read the ingredients.

How to make vegan sweet potato casserole

First, gather all of your vegan casserole ingredients, and read through the instructions.

While it is not required, I like to save time by baking the sweet potatoes the day or night before.

For the best results, I highly recommend this tutorial on How To Cook Sweet Potatoes.

However, you may cook the potatoes in a microwave, slow cooker, air fryer or instant pot if you prefer.

Once soft and fully cooked through, remove the skins and measure a packed three and a half cups of sweet potato into a large bowl.

Mash well, then add the nondairy milk, sweetener, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and optional nut butter or oil and nutmeg.

Stir well, until the mixture is smooth and everything is evenly incorporated.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an eight inch baking pan or any pan similar in size to an eight inch one.

Spread the sweet potato filling into the pan, and bake on the center rack of the oven for fifteen minutes.

Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle on your marshmallows or toppings of choice.

Place the casserole pan back in the oven and continue to bake for another fifteen minutes or until hot and bubbly.

The sweet potatoes should look lightly browned and caramelized.

Serve hot, or let cool before covering leftovers and refrigerating for three to four days.

This casserole recipe can be frozen in an airtight container, although it will not have the same smooth and creamy texture. Thaw the frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the microwave or in a warm oven.

Serving suggestions

Naturally, the best way to serve sweet potato casserole is alongside all of the popular Thanksgiving fixings.

Pile your plate high with cranberry sauce, Vegan Cornbread, green bean casserole or steamed green beans, vegan stuffing, sautéed mushrooms, and mashed potatoes.

With both sweet and savory flavors, the tasty baked sweet potato dish is equally at home when served as a side dish or a Thanksgiving dessert.

Leftovers make a great breakfast the next morning!

The plant based and dairy free sweet potato casserole recipe is also a wonderful addition to any Christmas dinner menu or festive holiday family potluck.

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