If you’re after a cozy, comforting side dish that feels like a warm hug from the inside, you’ll love this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe. It’s got that perfect balance of creamy sweet potatoes and a crunchy, flavorful crumble topping that will get your family asking for seconds (and thirds!). When I first tried this method, I realized just how easy it is to turn simple ingredients into something spectacular. Stick around, because I’m going to walk you through everything so your casserole turns out absolutely fan-freaking-tastic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food Perfection: Creamy sweet potatoes paired with a crunchy, herbaceous topping make this the ultimate holiday side.
- Easy to Customize: You can tweak nuts, herbs, and sweetness, making it your own in every batch.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare parts in advance and bring it all together when you’re ready to bake.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this casserole—it’s always the first dish to disappear.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe lies in simple, wholesome ingredients that play off each other beautifully. The nuts add crunch, herbs bring depth, and the sweet potatoes create that silky base we all crave. Shopping tip: go for fresh herbs and quality nuts for the best results.
- Sweet potatoes: Choose large, firm potatoes with smooth skins for the easiest roasting and sweetest flavor.
- Extra-virgin olive oil or melted butter: Helps mash the potatoes creamy and adds richness to the crumble.
- Milk: Adds creaminess; whole milk or your favorite plant-based milk works well.
- Ground ginger: A warm spice that complements the sweetness without overpowering.
- Sea salt and black pepper: Essential for balancing the sweet and savory flavors.
- Fresh sage leaves: Adds an earthy freshness, great for garnish.
- Rolled oats: Creates a hearty texture inside the crumble topping.
- Pecans and walnuts: Use chopped nuts for the ideal mix of crunch and flavor.
- Garlic clove: Just a hint to add a subtle savory note to the topping.
- Maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness and helps bind the crumble.
- Dried thyme and fresh rosemary: These herbs ramp up the savory complexity in the topping.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe is how easy it is to make your own tweaks and still get excellent results. Over time, I’ve experimented a bit — and you should too!
- Nut substitution: I often switch pecans for almonds or hazelnuts depending on what I have on hand; it’s always delicious.
- Vegan version: Swap butter with olive oil and use plant-based milk for a dairy-free casserole that still tastes incredible.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sweet potatoes for an extra warm fall vibe.
- Herb swap: Try sage alone or add thyme into the potato mixture for a different herbal twist.
How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes to Tender Perfection
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a baking sheet with foil (makes cleanup a breeze!). Use a fork to poke a few holes into the sweet potatoes—this helps steam escape so they roast evenly. Place them on the sheet and pop them in the oven for about an hour until they’re melt-in-your-mouth soft. You’ll know they’re ready when a knife slides in easily and the skin looks slightly wrinkled. This slow roasting really brings out the natural sweetness that makes this dish sing.
Step 2: Whip Up the Crunchy Crumble Topping
While the potatoes roast, you can make the topping—trust me, it’s worth prepping early. Grab your food processor and pulse together oats, pecans, walnuts, garlic, maple syrup, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper until everything is just combined. Don’t overprocess; you want the nuts broken down but still chunky for a lovely texture. Set this aside and get ready to bring your casserole together.
Step 3: Puree the Sweet Potato Filling
Once your sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them open and scoop out the tender flesh into the food processor. Add olive oil, milk, ground ginger, salt, and pepper, then pulse until silky smooth. If you like your casserole a bit creamier, add a splash more milk—go slow here so you don’t get too runny. This filling is where you can really make it your own; taste and tweak seasoning as you go.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake Your Sweet Potato Casserole
Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over the top, then scatter a few extra nuts and fresh sage leaves for that final flourish. A light drizzle of olive oil over everything helps that topping crisp up beautifully in the oven. Bake at 425°F for about 20 minutes until the topping is golden brown and irresistibly crunchy. You’ll want to watch closely toward the end to avoid any burning—every oven heats differently, so adjust time as needed.
Pro Tips for Making Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe
- Roast Potatoes Evenly: Choose sweet potatoes of similar size to ensure uniform roasting and consistent texture.
- Pulse, Don’t Overblend: When making the crumble topping, pulse just enough to combine to avoid turning it into nut butter.
- Adjust Milk Gradually: It’s easier to add more milk for creaminess than fix a too-thin mixture, so add a little at a time.
- Watch the Top Closely: The crumble can go from golden to burnt in minutes—set a timer for the last 5 minutes of baking and keep an eye out.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish with fresh sage leaves and a handful of chopped nuts right before serving. It adds a bright color and fresh crunch that pairs so nicely with the soft sweetness inside. Plus, a light drizzle of good quality olive oil right after baking gives it a lovely sheen and extra flavor.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this casserole are roasted green beans, a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, or your favorite protein like herb-roasted turkey or baked salmon. This dish really shines alongside anything savory and simple that lets its flavors stand out.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like serving this sweet potato casserole in individual ramekins—everyone gets their own little personal “casserole.” Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika on top for color and a mild smoky kick. It’s also lovely layered in a clear glass baking dish for show-stopping presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When it comes time to eat, the crumble topping might soften a bit, but a quick reheat restores much of that crispy texture.
Freezing
This casserole freezes really well if you want to prep ahead of time. Cool completely after baking, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or use a freezer-safe container. It keeps for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes to get the topping crisp again. If you’re short on time, microwave on medium power, but note the topping won’t be as crunchy. Either way, it tastes just as comforting and delicious!
FAQs
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Can I prepare the Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can roast and mash the sweet potatoes and prepare the crumble topping a day or two ahead. Assemble just before baking for best results, or fully assemble and refrigerate overnight—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
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What if I don’t have a food processor?
No problem! You can mash the sweet potatoes by hand with a potato masher or fork, though the texture will be less silky. For the crumble, chop nuts finely by hand and mix with oats and other ingredients until combined.
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Can I replace the nuts if someone has allergies?
Yes, you might swap nuts for seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch, or even crispy breadcrumbs if preferred. Adjust quantities and seasonings to suit your taste.
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How can I make this dairy-free or vegan?
Simply substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil and use your favorite plant-based milk instead of dairy milk. Maple syrup remains the sweetener of choice for vegan diets.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s so reliably delicious and endlessly adaptable. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a weeknight side, it never fails to bring warmth to the table and smiles around it. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own — trust me, once you taste that sweet, creamy filling paired with the crunchy, savory crumble, you’ll be hooked just like my family is!
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Crumble Topping Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6 to 8
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sweet Potato Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that features tender roasted sweet potatoes blended with aromatic ginger and seasoned milk, topped with a crunchy, savory crumble of oats, pecans, walnuts, and herbs. Baked until the topping is golden and crisp, this casserole makes a perfect side dish for holiday meals or any cozy gathering.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 5 large sweet potatoes, about 3 pounds
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or melted butter, plus more for drizzling
- 1¼ cups milk, plus more if necessary
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh sage leaves, for garnish
Crumble Topping
- ⅔ cup whole rolled oats
- ½ cup pecans, plus more for garnish
- ½ cup walnuts, plus more for garnish
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or melted butter
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Use a fork to poke a few holes in each sweet potato. Place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 60 minutes, or until they are very tender when pierced with a fork.
- Make Crumble Topping: While the sweet potatoes roast, prepare the crumble topping by placing oats, pecans, walnuts, garlic, maple syrup, olive oil, dried thyme, fresh rosemary, sea salt, and black pepper into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is just combined but still has some texture. Set aside.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Mixture: Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and place it in a food processor. Add olive oil, milk, ground ginger, sea salt, and black pepper. Process until smooth and well combined. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more milk to reach desired consistency.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the oiled baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the top, followed by additional pecans, walnuts, and fresh sage leaves for garnish. Drizzle with olive oil to encourage browning.
- Bake Until Crisp: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the topping is browned and crisp. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a sweeter casserole, you can increase the maple syrup slightly in the crumble topping.
- Fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary can be substituted with dried if fresh are not available, but use sparingly for dried herbs.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk and butter with plant-based alternatives such as almond milk and vegan butter.
- The nuts can be toasted lightly before adding to the crumble for extra flavor.
- Make sure the sweet potatoes are fully cooked and very tender to ensure a smooth and creamy casserole base.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
