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Crispy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe – Easy Thanksgiving Side with Brown Sugar

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This crispy sweet potato casserole features a creamy, cinnamon-vanilla sweet potato base topped with a crunchy brown sugar and pecan crumble. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish that’s comforting, nostalgic, and customizable for any dietary need.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 4–5 medium potatoes)
  • 1/3 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (for topping)
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for topping)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for nut-free)
  • Pinch of salt (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Peel and cube sweet potatoes. Place in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat for about 10-12 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well.
  2. Transfer drained sweet potatoes to a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher or electric mixer. Add milk, melted butter, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined and creamy.
  3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread sweet potato mixture evenly into the dish and smooth the top.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt for the topping. Add cold, cubed butter and mix with a pastry cutter, fork, or hands until coarse crumbs form. Stir in chopped pecans.
  5. Sprinkle topping evenly over sweet potato layer. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until topping is golden and crispy and the potato layer is set.
  6. Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow topping to crisp up.

Notes

For gluten-free, use almond or oat flour in the topping. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and plant-based milk. Nut-free option: substitute pecans with pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or omit. Let casserole rest before serving for maximum crispiness. Prep potatoes ahead for easier holiday cooking. If topping isn’t browning, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, Thanksgiving side, brown sugar topping, crispy casserole, holiday recipe, pecan topping, comfort food, easy casserole, gluten-free option, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/crispy-sweet-potato-casserole-recipe-easy-thanksgiving-side-with-brown-sugar/