Meet your new holiday favorite. This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole is creamy, warmly spiced, and crowned with a buttery pecan crunch that makes every bite taste like home. It is simple to prep, easy to make ahead, and always the first dish to disappear.
Why You’ll Love This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
- Maple-forward flavor with just the right warmth from cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Silky-smooth filling that sets perfectly without being heavy.
- Golden pecan streusel for irresistible crunch, or a classic marshmallow finish.
- Ideal make-ahead side for stress-free holidays and Sunday suppers.
- Easy to adapt for dairy-free, gluten-free, or nut-free guests.
Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients & Substitutions
- Sweet potatoes: 3 lb whole sweet potatoes, about 6 to 7 medium (1.4 kg). Sub: canned sweet potatoes or yams, well-drained, about 6 cups.
- Unsalted butter: 6 tbsp (85 g), melted. Sub: vegan butter for dairy-free.
- Pure maple syrup: 1/3 cup (80 ml). Use grade A dark for deeper flavor. Sub: 1/4 cup honey plus 1 tbsp brown sugar.
- Brown sugar: 1/4 cup (50 g) for the filling. Sub: coconut sugar.
- Milk or half-and-half: 1/2 cup (120 ml). Sub: full-fat coconut milk or oat milk for dairy-free.
- Eggs: 2 large, room temp, for a custardy set. Sub: 1 tbsp cornstarch plus 2 tbsp milk, or 2 flax eggs for softer set.
- Vanilla extract: 1 1/2 tsp.
- Cinnamon: 1 tsp; nutmeg: 1/4 tsp; fine sea salt: 1/2 tsp.
- Pecan streusel topping: 1 cup chopped pecans (110 g), 1/3 cup brown sugar (67 g), 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (40 g), 4 tbsp cold butter cubed (56 g), pinch salt, 1 tbsp maple syrup optional. Sub: oat flour for gluten-free, or rolled oats in place of flour for extra texture. Nut-free: use 1 cup oats or crushed pretzels.
- Marshmallow option: 3 cups mini marshmallows (about 150 g), if you prefer the classic finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
Preheat and Prep the Pan
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Roast method for best flavor: Pierce whole sweet potatoes with a fork and roast at 400 F on a foil-lined sheet pan until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Cool, peel, and measure 6 packed cups. Boil method for speed: Peel and cube, simmer in salted water until very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain well to remove excess water.
Mash and Season the Filling
In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes until smooth. Stir in melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until silky. Taste and adjust salt or maple to preference.
Make the Pecan Streusel
In a medium bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbles form. Drizzle in maple syrup if using and toss to coat.
Assemble the Casserole
Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the prepared dish. Sprinkle the pecan streusel evenly over the top.
Bake to Set
Bake at 350 F until the filling is set and the topping is golden and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. The center should look slightly puffed.
Optional Marshmallow Finish
If using marshmallows, remove the casserole at 25 minutes, scatter marshmallows over the top, and return to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until toasted. For deeper color, broil 30 to 60 seconds, watching closely.
Rest and Serve
Let rest 10 minutes to set clean slices. Serve warm.
Tips for Success
- Roast for richer flavor: Roasting concentrates sweetness and prevents watery mash.
- Dry the potatoes: If you boil, drain well and return to the hot pot for 2 minutes to steam off moisture.
- Room temp dairy and eggs: They blend more smoothly for a custardy texture.
- Do not overmix: Overmixing can make the filling gummy. Mash just until smooth.
- Watch the broiler: Marshmallows toast fast. Keep the oven door cracked and eyes on it.
Variations of Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
- Bourbon maple: Stir 1 to 2 tbsp bourbon into the filling for a classic Southern note.
- Nut-free crunch: Swap pecans for 1 cup oats or crushed pretzels mixed with 3 tbsp melted butter and 1/4 cup brown sugar.
- Dairy-free: Use vegan butter and unsweetened coconut milk or oat milk.
- Gluten-free: Use oat flour or a certified gluten-free flour in the topping.
- Spice it up: Add 1/4 tsp ground ginger or a pinch of cloves for warmth.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
- Roast turkey or glazed ham for holidays.
- Herb-roasted chicken or pork tenderloin on weeknights.
- Crisp greens like garlicky green beans or a simple salad with citrus vinaigrette.
- Tangy cranberry sauce to balance the sweet and savory.
- Beverages: spiced cider, light Pinot Noir, or sparkling water with orange slices.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Reheat whole: Cover with foil and warm at 325 F for 20 to 25 minutes. Uncover the last 5 minutes to re-crisp the topping.
- Reheat slices: Microwave 45 to 60 seconds, then pop under a toaster oven to re-crisp.
- Freeze: Assemble without marshmallows, wrap well, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
- Food safety: Do not leave at room temperature more than 2 hours.
Memories Made Around the Table
Every year my aunt would nudge this dish to the front of the buffet because she knew it vanished first. The maple aroma drifting from the oven still feels like a warm hug from those holiday afternoons.
FAQs
Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
Yes. Drain very well and pat dry. Use about 6 cups, then proceed with the recipe. Reduce maple syrup slightly if they are packed in syrup.
How do I prevent a runny casserole?
Roast the potatoes or steam off excess moisture after boiling. Measure 6 cups mashed, and do not add more liquid than listed.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Assemble without the topping, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the streusel and bake just before serving. If chilled, add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Absolutely. Reduce brown sugar in the filling to 2 tbsp and in the topping to 2 tbsp. The maple still shines.
What pan size works best?
A 9×13 inch dish yields about 8 to 10 servings. Two 8×8 inch pans also work for splitting and freezing.
Is there an egg-free option?
Yes. Use 1 tbsp cornstarch whisked into the milk or 2 flax eggs. The set will be softer but sliceable.
Final Thoughts
This Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole brings comforting sweetness, cozy spice, and a toasty crunch to any table. Make it once and it just might become your signature side.
Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crunch
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 Sheet pan for roasting
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 Pastry cutter (or use your fingers)
- 1 Large Pot optional, for boiling method
- 1 Colander optional, for draining
- 1 Foil optional, for lining sheet pan
- 1 Fork for piercing potatoes
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 lb sweet potatoes about 6 to 7 medium; or 6 cups mashed
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 0.33 cup pure maple syrup
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 0.5 cup milk or half-and-half
- 2 eggs large, room temperature
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp nutmeg
- 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
Pecan Streusel Topping
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 0.33 cup brown sugar
- 0.33 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter cold, cubed
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup optional
Optional Marshmallow Topping
- 3 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
Preheat and Prep the Pan
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Cook the Sweet Potatoes
- Roast method (best flavor): Pierce whole sweet potatoes with a fork and roast at 400°F on a foil-lined sheet pan until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Cool, peel, and measure 6 packed cups. Boil method (faster): Peel and cube, simmer in salted water until very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain well and steam off excess moisture.
Mash and Season the Filling
- Mash sweet potatoes in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until silky. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Make the Pecan Streusel
- In a medium bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbles form. Drizzle in maple syrup if using and toss to coat.
Assemble the Casserole
- Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the prepared dish. Sprinkle the pecan streusel evenly over the top.
Bake to Set
- Bake at 350°F until the filling is set and the topping is golden and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. The center should look slightly puffed.
Optional Marshmallow Finish
- If using marshmallows, remove the casserole at 25 minutes, scatter marshmallows over the top, and return to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes to toast. For deeper color, broil 30 to 60 seconds, watching closely.
Rest and Serve
- Let rest 10 minutes to set clean slices. Serve warm.