Sweet Potato Maple Casserole with Marshmallows
Sweet Potato Maple Casserole with Marshmallows is a cozy and festive holiday side dish combining tender mashed sweet potatoes, rich maple syrup, warming spices, and a golden toasted marshmallow topping. It balances natural sweetness with a hint of spice and offers a creamy texture beneath a crispy, gooey crust, making it perfect for family gatherings and potlucks.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 3 to 4 medium to large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Optional Variations and Toppings
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for nutty crunch)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (dairy-free butter substitute)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder (for spicy kick)
- 1/4 cup cream cheese or coconut cream (for creamier texture)
- Gluten-free oat crumble (to sprinkle under marshmallows)
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube the sweet potatoes. Boil or steam until they are fork-tender to ensure they mash smoothly for the creamy casserole base.
- Mash and Season: Drain the sweet potatoes and mash thoroughly. Stir in melted butter, maple syrup, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the mashed sweet potato mixture evenly in a greased casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spatula to prepare for the marshmallow topping.
- Add Marshmallows: Generously sprinkle mini marshmallows evenly over the surface to create a thick layer that will toast beautifully during baking.
- Bake and Toast: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until marshmallows are golden brown and slightly crisp while the filling remains hot and creamy underneath.
Notes
- Choose uniform-sized sweet potatoes for even cooking and smooth mashing.
- Don’t skip the vanilla extract as it enhances the overall flavor.
- For an extra crunchy topping, add half the marshmallows midway through baking and the rest at the end.
- Avoid overbaking to prevent marshmallows from melting into the sweet potatoes.
- You can prepare the mashed sweet potato base a day ahead to save time on the cooking day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: sweet potato casserole, maple syrup, marshmallows, holiday side dish, gluten free, festive casserole, sweet potato recipe