Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole
Add Preferred SourceThe best part of making Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole is the maple pecan topping that cracks perfectly over creamy sweet potatoes. The air fryer toasts the pecans golden while the sweet potatoes turn silky with butter, vanilla, and warm spices. Every bite gives you caramelized crunch. It’s comforting holiday food that disappears fast.
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I make this for Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, Friendsgiving, and potlucks because it’s a major crowd-pleaser that even non-vegans love. Kids and adults both enjoy it and it travels well. This sweet, dessert-like side dish is make-ahead friendly and stays fresh in the fridge for 4 days, or you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
You’ll have this sweet potato casserole ready in less than 40 minutes with just a few simple steps.
Prepare and Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Peel your sweet potatoes and cut them into 2-inch cubes so they cook evenly. Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper, arrange the cubes in a single layer, and cover them with foil to trap steam. Bake at 370°F (180°C) for 30 minutes, until they’re completely soft and tender when pierced with a fork. I use this aluminum foil to trap the steam so my sweet potatoes turn out perfectly soft every time.
Mash the Sweet Potatoes
Transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl and mash them until smooth. Add the melted vegan butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Combine everything until it’s creamy and the spices are evenly blended, allowing the butter to melt into the warm sweet potatoes for an extra-silky finish.
I always reach for my stainless-steel mixing bowl here because it gives me plenty of space to mash the sweet potatoes smoothly and mix in all the spices and melted butter without anything spilling over.
Make the Crumble Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted vegan butter, and maple syrup. Stir until the oats and pecans are completely coated and the mixture looks crumbly. The maple syrup helps the topping hold together and adds sweetness, and the air fryer gives it a perfectly crisp, crunchy texture.
Assemble and Bake the Casserole
Scoop the mashed sweet potatoes into a baking dish that fits in your air fryer. Spread them evenly, then sprinkle the crumble topping over the entire surface. Make sure you get the topping all the way to the edges so every bite has some crunch.
Bake for 7 minutes at 370°F (180°C) until the topping turns golden brown and crispy, with the pecans darkening at the edges and the oats becoming crunchy.
Serve
Let the casserole cool for just a couple of minutes so the topping sets, then serve it warm. The contrast of the creamy sweet potatoes and crunchy pecan topping is what makes it so good. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
- 1 ¼ pounds sweet potatoes 2-3 big ones
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter melted
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Salt to taste
Crumble Topping:
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup raw pecans chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter melted
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Peel and cut the potatoes in medium cubes (about 2 inches), cover with foil and transfer to the air fryer tray and bake for 30 minutes at 370°F (180°C), until they are soft and tender.1 ¼ pounds sweet potatoes
- Transfer the potatoes to a big bowl to mash them. Add the butter, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Mix well.2 tablespoons vegan butter, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, Salt to taste
- In another bowl, mix all the crumble topping ingredients until fully combined.¼ cup rolled oats, ½ cup raw pecans, 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1 tablespoon vegan butter, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- Transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to a casserole dish and top with the crumble topping. Bake again for 7 minutes, or until browned and crunchy.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Cut uniform cubes: Make sure your sweet potato pieces are all about the same size so they cook evenly and you don’t end up with some mushy pieces and some undercooked ones.
- Don’t skip the foil: Covering the sweet potato cubes with foil while they bake traps moisture and helps them steam, which makes them much easier to mash and prevents dry spots.
- Make it ahead: You can mash the sweet potatoes and make the topping up to 2 days in advance, then assemble and bake right before serving so the topping stays crunchy.
- Toast the pecans extra: If you want even more flavor, toast the pecans in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the crumble topping.
- Use a casserole dish that fits: Check that your baking dish fits comfortably in your air fryer basket before you start, so you don’t have to transfer everything halfway through.
- Flash freeze the casserole first: If you’re freezing it, place the assembled casserole uncovered in the freezer for 1 hour before wrapping it tightly so the topping doesn’t get soggy or stick to the container.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Let the casserole cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to get the topping crispy again, or warm it in the microwave if you don’t mind a softer texture.
For longer storage, freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. I like to portion it into individual servings before freezing so I can thaw only what I need. Let it sit overnight in the fridge, then reheat it in the air fryer to bring back the crunchy topping.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole pairs perfectly with roasted proteins like herb-crusted baked tofu, maple-glazed tempeh, cauliflower steaks, or vegan nut roast. The warm spices and maple sweetness also go great with green beans, Brussels sprouts, or a fresh arugula salad.
For a complete holiday spread, serve it alongside cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and mushroom gravy. The creamy, slightly sweet flavor balances out savory main dishes and makes it the side everyone reaches for first.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you love this, check out these other comforting air fryer side dishes, perfect for the holidays.
