Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping is a must-have dish for holiday gatherings and special family dinners. The creamy, velvety base of mashed sweet potatoes, combined with the rich, buttery crunch of the pecan topping, creates an amazing balance of flavors and textures that everyone will love.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or simply want to elevate a cozy weeknight meal, this casserole is an easy way to add a touch of sweetness and warmth to the table. With just a few simple ingredients, you can transform sweet potatoes into a dish that’s both comforting and irresistible.

Brandi’s Key Ingredients

Why You Will Love This Recipe

If you are a fan of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg-spiced sweet potatoes, this is the perfect dish for you. The sweet potatoes are softened and blended with spices and then topped with a sweet crunchy topping and baked until warm.

How to Cook the Sweet Potatoes

Air Fryer:

Using the air fryer is my favorite method. I love to use my Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes recipe.

1. Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket.
2. Air fry at 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool.

Boil:

1. Peel the sweet potatoes.
2. Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water.
3. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat and cook the sweet potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Drain the sweet potatoes and let them cool.

Bake:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
3. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
4. Bake for approximately 60-80 minutes, or however long it takes until the sweet potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
5. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool.

Microwave:

1. Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork several times.
2. Place the sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and microwave them on high for about 5-8 minutes per potato, depending on their size and your microwave’s power. Rotate them halfway through cooking.
3. Check for tenderness by piercing the sweet potatoes with a fork. They should be soft and easily mashed.
4. Carefully remove the sweet potatoes from the microwave and let them cool.

What Type of Sweetener to Use

You can use light or dark brown sugar in the recipe. I like to use brown monkfruit sweetener because it’s zero-calorie and has zero carbs. It measures 1:1 like refined table sugar, which makes it really easy to convert recipes. You can use the same amount of table sugar noted in this recipe. No need to convert measurements.

How to Adjust the Sweetness

In general, I recommend starting with a small amount of sugar or sweetness and then continue to build from there.

Streusel Topping

A streusel topping is a crumbly mixture of butter, flour, sugar or sweetener, and often spices or nuts. It is commonly used as a topping for various baked goods. The opping adds a delightful crispness, texture, and a touch of sweetness to the dish. The key ingredients for the recipe are pecans, brown sugar (or sweetener), flour, and butter.

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole without Marshmallows

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Grease a 9×13 baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Combine mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, butter, vanilla, brown sugar or sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients.
4. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the baking dish.
5. Combine the pecans, flour, melted butter, and brown sweetener or sugar in a bowl and stir.
6. Top the sweet potatoes with the pecan mixture.
7. Bake.

Additional Toppings and Substitution Ideas

• Coconut Flakes
• Graham Cracker Crumbs
• Whipped Cream
• Maple Syrup
• Caramel Sauce
• Brown Sugar Glaze

How to Substitute Pecans

• Walnuts: They have a similar texture and provide a nutty flavor that complements sweet potato dishes well.
• Almonds: They have a slightly milder flavor compared to pecans but still offer a nice crunch.
• Hazelnuts: Hazelnuts can provide a rich and slightly sweet flavor when used as a pecan substitute. They have a distinct taste that can add a unique twist to your sweet potato casserole.
• Macadamia nuts: These are buttery and creamy, which can add a luxurious touch. They are an excellent substitute if you prefer a milder nut flavor.
• Pumpkin seeds: If you want to avoid nuts altogether, pumpkin seeds can be a great alternative. They provide a crunchy texture and a subtle nutty flavor that pairs well with sweet potatoes.

Texture

The texture is smooth, soft, and creamy with a sweet crunchy top thanks to the pecans.

Canned Sweet Potatoes

You can use canned sweet potatoes in the recipe with no adjustment to cook time. You may also enjoy my Quick Canned Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe.

How to Avoid Watery Casserole

Air fried or baked sweet potatoes work best because they haven’t been cooked in water so there is no risk of the dish turning watery.

If you’re using boiled sweet potatoes, ensure they are properly drained before mashing or pureeing them. Excess moisture from the cooking process can contribute to a watery casserole. Use a colander to drain the sweet potatoes well and let them sit for a few minutes to release any remaining moisture.

Be careful not to overcook the sweet potatoes, as this can lead to a higher water content. Cook them just until they are fork-tender, and avoid overboiling or overbaking, which can make them mushy and watery.

After baking, let the sweet potato casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set and firm up slightly, reducing the likelihood of excess moisture pooling.

Room Temperature Eggs

Room temperature eggs blend more easily with other ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, and spices. When eggs are at room temperature, they mix more readily with the other ingredients, resulting in a smoother and more uniform mixture. Cold eggs, on the other hand, can cause the mixture to curdle or result in small lumps.

How to Store

You can store the dish for 3-4 days tightly covered and sealed in the fridge.

Can You Make it Ahead of Time?

Since this will last in the fridge for 3-4 days you can definitely make it ahead of time. Save the pecan streusel ingredients and add those to the top before you plan to serve the dish.

Freezer Tips

If you’re freezing the casserole as a whole, transfer it to a freezer-safe dish or wrap it tightly with multiple layers of plastic wrap, ensuring there are no exposed areas. For added protection, you can place the wrapped casserole in a freezer bag or wrap it with aluminum foil.

You can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. After this time, the quality may begin to decline.

Pair With These Recipes

Southern Baked Ham with Pineapple
Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey
Baked Turkey Wings
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
Roasted Bone-in Turkey Breast
Boneless Turkey Breast
Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Thanksgiving Chicken
Eye of Round Roast Beef
Bone in or Boneless Prime Rib

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet Potato Cornbread
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Candied Sweet Potatoes
Purple Sweet Potato Recipe
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Healthy Sweet Potato Pie