Instead of Marshmallows, Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans & Oatmeal Topping!

For this healthy sweet potato casserole, I’ve lightened up the traditional recipe by using mashed bananas for natural sweetness! I love the fruity flavor they bring to this fluffy mash and the nutty, crunchy topping. Plus, I don’t have to add ANY sugar or sweetener to this recipe!

Usually, a classic Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole is loaded with sugar and topped with marshmallows. And, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the sugar and marshmallows! But, if you’re looking to lighten up your holiday feast, this easy baked sweet potato casserole is an awesome option.

After all, sweet potatoes are also naturally sweet. You don’t need to add much of anything for them to taste great—especially after they’re roasted! And, the mashed bananas provide extra sweetness, along with the comforting fall-time flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Yes, there are no marshmallows here… Instead, this healthy sweet potato casserole recipe has pecans, dates, and a crave-ably crunchy oatmeal topping that’s lighter but perfectly sweet. After those chopped dates roast and caramelize, you won’t even miss the marshmallows!

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Tips for Maximum Deliciousness

First of all, it’s crucial to use truly ripe bananas that are spotty and turning brown, because they’ll provide the most sweetness since their starches have converted to sugars. Honestly, the mushier your bananas are, the better this healthy sweet potato casserole will be!

Then, to bring out even more of that natural sweetness, I ROASTED my bananas for a few minutes. I love the caramelized flavor it creates, and they’re so easy to scoop out of their peels afterward! But, you could skip this and mash your bananas straight from the peel, if preferred.

Either way, I do recommend using a hand mixer or a whisk and some muscle to whip up your mash for this healthy sweet potato casserole. It’s a simple step, but it will add SO much fluffiness—definitely worth the bit of extra effort!

Finally, be sure to let your oatmeal topping crisp up until golden brown in the oven so it turns out perfectly crunchy and satisfying. If needed, you can set your healthy sweet potato casserole to broil for about a minute before it’s done—just watch closely so it doesn’t burn!

Hungry for more healthy holiday recipes?

 You might enjoy my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook!

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Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans & Oatmeal Topping

5 stars (3 ratings)

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Mash:

  • 5 medium sweet potatoes
  • 4 ripe bananas
  • 3 Tbsp almond milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • salt, to taste

Pecan & Oatmeal Topping:

  • ¾ cup pecans
  • ½ cup chopped dates
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • cup oat flour
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • salt, to taste (~⅛-¼ tsp)
  • ¼ cup coconut oil

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Use a fork to prick sweet potatoes on all sides. Add to a lined baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes.
  • Add bananas to the pan (with their skins on) and roast an additional 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender and banana skins are black.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool to the touch.
  • Remove sweet potato skins and add to a large bowl. (You can usually peel the skins off of tender, cooked sweet potatoes with your hands!) Peel bananas and scoop insides into the same bowl.
  • Add remaining mash ingredients and beat with a hand mixer, until fluffy and whipped. Transfer to a 13×9-inch casserole dish.
  • To a large mixing bowl, add topping ingredients and toss to coat.
  • Sprinkle topping over sweet potato mash and bake for 20 minutes, until golden and crisp on top.
  • Serve and enjoy!
  • Yields 16 servings healthy sweet potato casserole.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 181kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g
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