The Best Gluten-free Sweet Potato Casserole

No Thanksgiving table is complete without the best gluten-free sweet potato casserole; it's a favorite side dish, year after year. A bed of creamy mashed sweet potatoes topped with gluten-free marshmallows is a heavenly combination.

When it comes to gluten-free side dishes for Thanksgiving, this sweet potato casserole recipe is a must-have. Who can resist deliciously fluffy mashed sweet potatoes with the right amount of sweet and savory goodness topped the way you like them?

I have added the classic marshmallow topping to this sweet potato casserole (my kids love it). However, a pecan or crumble topping works just as well. I have included details for a pecan topping variation.

Sweet potato casserole is one of those classic dishes that is a must-make for the holiday table, just like pumpkin pie, whether it is Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Jump to:

• Is Sweet Potato Casserole Gluten-Free?
• Sweet Potato Casserole: Side Dish or Dessert?
• Ingredients
• Alternate Pecan Topping
• How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole
• Tips For Making The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
• Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Sweet Potato Casserole
• Can I Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time?
• Storing Leftovers
• How to Reheat Sweet Potato Casserole?
• How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole?
• More Gluten-free Casseroles
• 📖 Recipe

Is Sweet Potato Casserole Gluten-Free?

Sweet potatoes, like regular potatoes, are naturally gluten-free. However, not all sweet potato casserole recipes are gluten-free. The problem usually lies in the topping.

Many sweet potato casseroles are topped with either non-gluten-free marshmallows or can contain flour if they have some sort of nut crumble topping. It is always a good idea to verify the ingredients with the person who cooked the sweet potato casserole to determine if it is gluten-free before consuming it.

Sweet Potato Casserole: Side Dish or Dessert?

There is great debate on whether sweet potato casserole is a side dish or dessert. The answer is going to depend on who you ask. For someone who grew up in the South, you would most likely get a funny look if you added this dish to the dessert table at Thanksgiving. It's definitely a side dish in our house, but it's always delicious, no matter how you serve it.

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes: You want to use red or orange-skinned sweet potatoes for this casserole. These are sometimes labeled as yams at the grocery store.
• Heavy cream and Butter: To make this gluten-free sweet potato casserole dairy-free, substitute the butter and heavy cream for dairy-free alternatives such as coconut oil and almond milk.
• Brown sugar: The light brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness. If you prefer your sweet potato casserole on the sweeter side, you can swap the brown sugar for regular cane sugar. You can also add more sugar if you want it sweeter.
• Eggs: The eggs in this casserole help bring it all together. You can leave them out, but note that the texture won't be as fluffy without the eggs.
• Vanilla: I have used pure vanilla extract in this recipe.
• Spices: You'll need nutmeg, salt, cinnamon, and ground ginger.
• Mini gluten-free marshmallows: Ensure you are using gluten-free marshmallows, or see below for an alternate topping.

Alternate Pecan Topping

I like to keep it simple, and what the kids like best when it comes to topping this gluten-free sweet potato casserole, so I tend to stick to mini gluten-free marshmallows. However, if you prefer something different, here is my other favorite way to top this casserole.

Pecan topping - Sweet potatoes and pecans taste delicious together, so topping this casserole with a pecan topping is a no-brainer.

• 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
• ½ Cup 1:1 Gluten-free Flour
• ½ Cup Brown Sugar
• ¼ Teaspoon Salt
• ¼ Cup Butter or Solid Coconut Oil

1. Combine the chopped pecans with the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, and salt together in a bowl.
2. Cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse sand.
3. Set it aside to top the casserole.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole

Step 1. Prepare Mashed Sweet Potatoes

1. Place the whole sweet potatoes onto a baking sheet and roast them for about an hour until they are tender.
2. Let the sweet potatoes cool long enough, and then remove the skins.
3. Place the peeled, roasted sweet potatoes into a bowl to mash.

Check out this easy way to cook sweet potato in Instant Pot - How to cook Sweet Potato in Instant Pot.

Step 2. Assemble the Sweet Potato Casserole

1. Combine the brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, butter, and spices with the mashed sweet potatoes.
2. Mix the sweet potatoes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Transfer the casserole filling to a baking dish.
4. Top with the mini marshmallows (or pecan topping) and bake.

Tips For Making The Best Sweet Potato Casserole

• Bake the sweet potatoes - When it comes to getting the most flavor into sweet potato casserole, you want to bake the potatoes instead of boiling them. Roast the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for about an hour or until they are tender. If you want your sweet potatoes to bake faster, wrap them in foil.
• Peel easy - Roasted sweet potatoes actually peel quite easily, but if you want to make it even easier, place them in the fridge to cool for about 30 minutes. The cold will steam the skins a little bit more, and the sweet potato's flesh will slide out.
• Test the spice and sweetness before adding the eggs - Roasted sweet potatoes get sweeter after they are baked. I find it important to test the level of sweetness and the spices of the casserole before adding the eggs to make sure they are balanced. If adjustments are needed, do it now so you aren't taste-testing raw eggs.
• Watch your marshmallows. - I like to wait and add the mini marshmallows in the last few minutes of baking. Adding them at the beginning can cause them to get overcooked and become crunchy instead of melted and gooey.

Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Sweet Potato Casserole

To make this sweet potato casserole dairy-free, replace butter with coconut oil or Earth Balance butter.

Replace the heavy cream with your favorite non-dairy milk, such as almond or cashew milk.

You also want to ensure that the marshmallows you buy are vegan and gluten-free.

Can I Make Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time?

To make this sweet potato casserole ahead of time, you have a few options.

• You can bake the sweet potatoes 1-2 days ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
• If you want to make this casserole completely ahead of time, you can also do that. Just make it, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to two days ahead of time. Then heat it up just before serving!

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep in the refrigerator.

How to Reheat Sweet Potato Casserole?

You can reheat this sweet potato casserole in a 350-degree oven until warm or warm it up in the microwave in 30-second increments.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole?

You can serve this favorite Thanksgiving side dish hot or warm. Or, if you have leftovers the next day, serve it cold!

This gluten-free sweet potato casserole is delicious paired with some gluten-free stuffing and gluten-free green bean casserole at Thanksgiving, no matter if you're serving ham or turkey.

More Gluten-free Casseroles

📖 Recipe