This praline sweet potato crunch casserole is a delicious and unique twist on the classic creamy sweet potato casserole. This mouthwatering dish combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with a nutty praline topping. A perfectly balanced and irresistibly tasty dish that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering. It’s an easy make-ahead recipe that’s perfect for holidays.
Praline pecan crunch casserole is comforting and delicious. With its warm and comforting aroma, this dish is sure to become a crowd-pleaser that everyone will ask for seconds. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, making it stress-free and simple to make ahead addition to your menu.
The easy potato dish is believed to have originated in the Southern United States, where sweet potatoes have been a staple crop for centuries.
If you’re looking for more sweet potato recipes, try these Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Maple Sweet Potatoes, and Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes.
What We Love About This Recipe
Southern sweet potatoes are a beloved dish that has earned its place at holiday gatherings and family dinners for many reasons. It’s a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the natural sweetness of roasted potatoes with a variety of warm and comforting spices. The addition of a crunchy, buttery topping made from brown sugar and nuts adds texture and depth of flavor that makes each bite irresistible.
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- Great Make Ahead: The perfect dish to make ahead and just pop in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
- Easy Ingredients: Most of the ingredients are baking staples.
- Family Friendly: This dish melts in your mouth and tastes almost like a dessert. Everyone from kids to grandparents will love this recipe. Makes a great Thanksgiving side or a great addition to Christmas dinner.
Ingredient Notes
- Sweet Potatoes: When slicing potatoes remember to slice very thin pieces that way they will be softer after they cook. Look for ones with smooth stiff skin and ones without any soft spots or cracking.
- Spices: If you want to jazz up the flavors in your candied potatoes you can try a pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or allspice.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar can be great.
- Chopped Pecan: They pair well with the potato dish and make the pecan crunch topping.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions
This dish is a delicious, hearty dish that is the perfect side or main course. It is incredibly versatile and with a few simple tweaks, you can make it your own.
- Crunch Variation – A fun idea for sprucing up the crunch topping is adding cereal instead of nuts. This is a great option that kids will love. Cinnamon toast crunch or cornflakes would pair well with the potatoes.
- Cooking variations – This recipe would taste great if you were to slow-cook it in a crock pot. It will definitely take longer but the end result will be so worth it.
How to Make the Best Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole Recipe
These are the basic steps for making a Potato side dish. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions. We value reader interactions, please leave a comment if you tried this recipe.
STEP 1: PREPARE AND MAKE CUSTARD
First, you will need to preheat your oven. While your oven is preheating, grease your casserole dish. Peel and slice your potatoes and set them aside in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine the ingredients for the custard – including the vanilla extract. Pour the custard on the potatoes, making sure the sweet potato mixture is coated.
STEP 2: MAKE CRUNCHY PECAN TOPPING AND BAKE
Combine the ingredients for the crumbs topping in a small bowl and mix together with the melted butter. You will then spread the crumble topping on top of the sweet potato base layer. Cover your dish with foil and bake the sweet casserole in the oven.
STEP 3: BROIL WITH MARSHMALLOWS
After baking the casserole for about an hour, remove it from the oven and remove the foil from the dish. Cover with marshmallows on top and put back in the oven uncovered on broil.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE SWEET POTATO CRUNCH RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
To make this recipe ahead of time just slice your potatoes and make your custard mixing. Mix together the potatoes and custard in a baking dish. Cover the dish and keep stored overnight in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. You can also make the pecan mixture and store it in an airtight container until ready. It is a great make-ahead for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
To store your old-fashioned sweet potato casserole, cover the dish, allow it to cool, and place it in the fridge. This dish will last for up to 5 days in the fridge.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
The best way to freeze your Thanksgiving and Christmas side is to allow the casserole to cool and then cover it with 2 layers of foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE
For the tastiest reheating results, bake the dish in the oven at 350 degrees F and bake until it’s heated through. For a quicker reheat option, you could always scoop out a portion into a bowl and microwave it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Praline Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole
If your potatoes are coming out hard after baking the casserole you might not slice the potatoes thin enough. You want to make sure you are slicing your potatoes as thin as possible.
No, you don’t have to cook the potatoes before putting them in the casserole. The potatoes will be cooked in the casserole. If you want softer potatoes you can soak them in the custard overnight.
Yes! Sweet potatoes have a softer, reddish skin and are much sweeter and creamy in taste. Yams often have a more brown and rough exterior to them and also have a more starchy taste.
Expert Tips for Making This Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
If you love sweet potatoes and crave an easy-to-make yet delicious dish, then this sweet potato recipe is the perfect choice. Here are some tips on how to make a perfect holiday side dish that’s sure to be a hit at your next dinner party. In no time, you’ll be able to whip up this dish with the simple and easy instructions provided.
- Double the Recipe: This is a great recipe for a holiday or family gathering. Simply double the ingredients and split it into two different baking dishes before baking for the best results.
- Softer Casserole: If you want a soft, smooth casserole try using canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh ones.
- Add bourbon for flavor: If you want to add a fun twist on your casserole try adding in some bourbon. Just add about half a cup to the custard mixture for a different flavor.
- Different nuts: If pecans aren’t your preferred nut of choice, then you can easily switch out and add in a different nut. Walnuts would be a great option for this recipe.
- Mashed: It is easy to mash the potatoes with the potato masher for a smoother consistency to the mashed sweet potatoes.
What to Serve with Praline Sweet Potato Casserole
Praline Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole
Equipment
- Medium sized bowl
Ingredients
- 2-3 sweet potatoes, large size
- 1 egg
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 teaspoon melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Crumble Topping
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 1-2 cups chopped pecan
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- Marshmallows , top cover, about 6-8 oz
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease the pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
- Remove the skin and thinly slice your sweet potatoes.
- Combine the egg, cream, sugar, 3 tbsp melted butter and vanilla into a medium sized bowl to make the custard.
- Pour the custard over the sweet potatoes, mixing it thoroughly to coat all the potatoes.
- Sprinkle cinnamon over top of the potatoes and custard mixture.
- Combine the crumble topping ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle over the top of the covered potatoes.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 55 mins.
- Remove the casserole from oven and turn on broil or to the highest setting.
- Cover the top with marshmallows and put back in the oven for 2-3 mins to allow the marshmallows to get nice and toasted.
Expert Tips
- Double the Recipe: This is a great recipe for a holiday or family gathering. Simply double the ingredients and split it into two different baking dishes before baking for the best results.
- Softer Casserole: If you want a soft, smooth casserole try using canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh ones.
- Add bourbon for flavor: If you want to add a fun twist on your casserole try adding in some bourbon. Just add about half a cup to the custard mixture for a different flavor.
- Different nuts: If pecans aren’t your preferred nut of choice, then you can easily switch out and add in a different nut. Walnuts would be a great option for this recipe.
- Mashed: It is easy to mash the potatoes with the potato masher for a smoother consistency to the mashed sweet potatoes.
