The Ultimate Healthy Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole: Gluten-Free & Low-Sugar for Your Holiday Table

Discover a healthier sweet potato casserole that’s wonderfully low in sugar, completely gluten-free, and grain-free, crowned with a delightful pecan cookie crumble. This delectable dish is perfect for sharing with family as a staple holiday side!

The holiday season, with its crisp air and festive spirit, always brings forth cherished traditions. For many, this means gathering around a table laden with delicious food, and for me, it often means music – perhaps a little earlier than some might expect! While my partner might playfully tease me about starting Christmas tunes before Thanksgiving, in the world of food blogging, we’re always a few steps ahead, anticipating the tastes and aromas that will grace your upcoming celebrations.

And when it comes to holiday meals, certain side dishes aren’t just accompaniments; they’re the stars of the show. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to a side dish that not only reigns supreme in flavor but also in its health-conscious design: my ultimate Vegan & Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole. This recipe is not just a dish; it’s a testament to how traditional comfort food can be reimagined to be both incredibly delicious and remarkably healthy.

This casserole is designed for ease, allowing you to whip it up in advance and impress your guests with minimal stress. All you need are a handful of wholesome ingredients, primarily a bounty of beautiful sweet potatoes, and a simple yet irresistible pecan cookie crumble for the topping. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates flavor, health, and the joy of sharing. Let’s get casserole-ing!

Why This Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Will Be Your New Holiday Favorite

You’re going to absolutely adore this sweet potato casserole as a nutritious and satisfying side for your entire family. If you’re anything like me, the words “sweet potato” alone probably had you hooked! But there’s so much more to love about this particular rendition. It strikes a perfect balance: lightly sweet, nutty, and wonderfully warm, enveloping your palate in cozy holiday flavors. Beyond its exquisite taste, this dish is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with a generous dose of Vitamin A, beneficial healthy fats from the nuts and coconut oil, and a touch of plant-based protein from the flaxseed and pecans.

Imagine tender, perfectly mashed sweet potatoes infused with pure maple syrup, a hint of fragrant cinnamon, and the delicate texture of shredded coconut. All of this is crowned with a crunchy topping of toasted pecans, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in every spoonful. What truly sets this recipe apart is its versatility and inclusivity: it’s naturally gluten-free, grain-free, entirely vegan, paleo-friendly, and thoughtfully low in sugar. This makes it an ideal choice for guests with diverse dietary preferences and lifestyles, ensuring everyone at your table can enjoy a delicious and guilt-free holiday treat.

Essential Ingredients for Your Vegan & Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole

Holiday family recipes hold a special place in our hearts, don’t they? Especially when they come in casserole form—the comforting, warm, and inviting “ugly sweater” of the food world, brimming with character and love. This particular Vegan & Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole is a healthier homage to my mom’s classic version, the one I grew up devouring. It was always, without a doubt, my absolute favorite Thanksgiving dish on our annual spread – the one I secretly hoped no one else would enjoy too much, so I could claim all the delicious leftovers for myself!

A few months ago, knowing I wanted to create a Flora & Vino-approved version for the blog, I texted my mom, “Recipe, please!” She promptly sent back pictures of her handwritten recipe on index cards, a truly nostalgic touch. Translating her beloved classic into a vegan, gluten-free, and low-sugar alternative was a delightful challenge, but the core essence remains. Here’s what you’ll need to create this healthier holiday masterpiece:

• Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show! Choose large, firm sweet potatoes for the best mash.
• Ground Flaxseed: This magical ingredient forms our “flax egg,” acting as a binder and adding healthy omega-3s.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: For creamy texture without any dairy.
• Coconut Oil: Adds a touch of richness and helps achieve that dreamy consistency.
• Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener, used sparingly to let the sweet potatoes shine.
• Dash of Cinnamon: For warmth and classic holiday spice.

That’s it for the base! Simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly special.

Crafting a Deliciously Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

The beauty of this recipe lies in its thoughtful transformation from a traditional casserole, which often calls for ingredients like eggs, butter, and generous amounts of refined sugar. To make this sweet potato casserole entirely vegan without sacrificing any of the comforting qualities, I’ve made a few key substitutions that truly work wonders.

The Flax Egg Secret

For the eggs, which typically act as a binder, I’ve ingeniously swapped in a flax egg. This simple mixture of ground flaxseed and water gels up beautifully, creating a perfect plant-based adhesive that holds all that vibrant, jewel-toned sweet potato puree together. Flax eggs are not only excellent binders but also contribute healthy omega-3 fatty acids, adding an extra nutritional boost to your holiday dish.

Achieving Creaminess Without Butter

To achieve that signature creamy and dreamy texture without any dairy butter, I rely on unsweetened almond milk and a touch of coconut oil. These ingredients lend a rich, smooth consistency that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. If you prefer an oil-free version, simply omit the coconut oil altogether and add a bit more almond milk. The casserole will still turn out incredibly delicious and moist, proving that healthy choices don’t mean compromising on taste.

Natural Sweetness with Maple Syrup

When it comes to sweetness, sweet potatoes already live up to their name! So, for added sweetness, I’ve opted for a drizzle of pure maple syrup. This is entirely optional, of course, depending on your preference and the natural sweetness of your potatoes. However, if you’re serving this for family during the holiday season, a little extra natural sweetness can often “wow” your guests, especially those accustomed to more traditional, sweeter versions. Maple syrup provides a nuanced, caramel-like flavor that enhances the overall profile of the dish without being overly sugary.

Creating a Perfectly Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole Topping

The topping is often what makes a sweet potato casserole truly special, and my mom’s original recipe, like many classics, featured a crumble made with brown sugar, coconut, chopped nuts, flour, and butter. While delicious, I wanted to create a grain-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free version that still delivered on crunch and flavor. This is where a truly innovative ingredient comes into play, saving the day and elevating this healthy-fied casserole!

My secret weapon for the ultimate grain-free and gluten-free crumble? Sejoyia Vanilla Maple Coco-Roons. The moment I saw “coconut” listed in my mom’s original topping, I instantly craved these delightful cashew-coconut cookies. The thought of crumbling them over a warm sweet potato base sparked an epiphany: this culinary marriage simply *had* to happen!

These Vanilla Maple Coco-Roons create the perfect crumble base for this healthy casserole. They naturally provide a fantastic chewy texture, a hint of vanilla and maple, and make the topping effortlessly gluten-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free. To enhance the crumble further, I simply added a cup of roughly chopped pecans for extra crunch and a drizzle of pure maple syrup along with a dash of cinnamon to help everything stick together and deepen the festive flavors.

As the casserole bakes, the crumble transforms beautifully in the oven. The pecans toast to a golden perfection, releasing their aromatic oils, while the Coco-Roon pieces become fragrant and delightfully crisp. The result is a topping that is both textural and flavorful, complementing the creamy sweet potato base in every bite.

Serving and Storing Your Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

This Vegan & Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole is not just a dish; it’s a gift of flavor and health, perfectly suited as a quick, nutritious, and incredibly satisfying side for your entire holiday spread. I can’t wait to bring this very side-dish to my family’s Thanksgiving celebration this year!

Make-Ahead & Reheating Tips

One of the best features of this sweet potato casserole is how well it reheats, making it an excellent option for holiday meal prep. You can easily prepare the entire dish the night before, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. Before your big feast, simply pop it into the oven to warm through. This advance preparation will save you valuable time on the day of your gathering, allowing you to relax and enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.

If you find yourself truly pressed for time, there’s even a shortcut: you can skip the final baking time for the casserole entirely! Just enjoy the warm, baked sweet potato mash as is, topped with a raw, unbaked Coco-Roon pecan crumble. It’s still incredibly delicious and offers a wonderful contrast in textures.

Topping Alternatives

If you have difficulty finding Coco-Roons in your local stores, don’t worry! You can often find them online on Amazon, or feel free to substitute them with your favorite grain-free cookie or simply create a homemade topping. A simple toasted cinnamon pecan crumble, made with finely chopped pecans, a touch of maple syrup, and a dash of cinnamon, would also be absolutely delightful here!

Recipe: Vegan & Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole

This healthier sweet potato casserole is low in sugar, gluten-free, and grain-free, complete with a crunchy pecan cookie crumble. It’s the perfect plant-based, healthy holiday side dish for any family gathering!

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Casserole Base

• 4–5 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean and halved
• 1 flax egg (1 TBSP ground flaxseed + 3 TBSP filtered water)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 TBSP coconut oil (or sub another TBSP almond milk if oil-free)
• 1 TBSP maple syrup (optional, for sweeter casserole)
• Dash of cinnamon

Pecan Cookie Crumble Topping

• 2 bags Sejoyia Vanilla Maple Coco-Roons, crumbled
• 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• Dash of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Lightly grease a separate casserole dish with coconut oil and set it aside. This will be for the assembled casserole.
3. Place the scrubbed sweet potato halves facedown in the parchment-lined baking dish. Bake them for approximately 30 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. Once cooked, carefully flip them over with a spatula and allow them to cool slightly, making them easier to handle.
4. While the sweet potatoes cool, prepare your flax egg: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of filtered water. Stir well and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to allow it to gel and thicken.
5. Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove their skins. Add the cooked sweet potato flesh to the mixing bowl with the prepared flax egg. Then, add the almond milk, the optional coconut oil, maple syrup (if using), and a dash of cinnamon. Mash them lightly with a fork until mostly smooth but with a little texture remaining.
6. Transfer the sweet potato mash to your prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer using a spoon or spatula.
7. In a small separate bowl, prepare the topping: combine the crumbled Coco-Roons with the roughly chopped pecans, 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, and another dash of cinnamon. Use your hands to mix and combine until it forms a sticky, rough crumble.
8. Evenly sprinkle the pecan cookie crumble topping over the sweet potato casserole layer.
9. Transfer the casserole dish to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potato mash is thoroughly warm and the Coco-Roon crumble is lightly browned and wonderfully fragrant. Keep a close eye on the dish during the last 5 minutes to prevent the topping from burning.
10. Serve the casserole warm directly from the oven. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving again.

More Vegan Thanksgiving Side Recipes to Complete Your Feast

Looking for more delicious and healthy plant-based options to round out your holiday meal? Here are some fantastic vegan Thanksgiving side recipes that pair wonderfully with this sweet potato casserole:

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Hazelnut Butter Sauce

• Dijon Tahini Green Beans

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Figs & Pecans

• Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes With Almond Butter Gravy

• Harissa Roasted Cauliflower With Cranberries & Hazelnuts

• Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad

• Butternut Squash Noodle Cranberry Salad

• Tri-Colored Roasted Cauliflower Salad

• Stovetop Cauliflower Rice Stuffing

• Low-Sugar Orange Cranberry Sauce

• Delicata Chickpea Bake With Almond Butter “Gravy”

• Pumpkin Cornbread Mini Muffins

• 2-Way Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce

• Candied Yams with Cacao Nibs & Pecans

I Want to Hear From You!

If you embark on the delightful journey of making this Vegan & Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, please let me know how it turns out! Your feedback is invaluable and helps me create more delicious and healthy recipes for you.

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review below so I can use your insights to continue crafting more “yums” for your kitchen. I love hearing about your cooking adventures!

Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to share your beautiful creations with our community. I can’t wait to see your holiday tables!

Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later, ensuring your meal planning is always inspiring.

Love this post and want more healthy, plant-based inspiration? Go to my homepage and subscribe to get delicious updates delivered right to your inbox!

XO Lauren

This post is brought to you by Sejoyia, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!