This sweet potato casserole without nuts is a fun and tasty twist on a classic. Try the handheld version or bake it in a casserole.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This is a very versatile recipe:; it can be made in the mini bowls with marshmallows or in a casserole, with or without nuts. The filling can be made ahead.

How long it takes: about 30 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: baking sheet, mixing bowl
Servings: 12

Five mini boats filled with sweet potato, topped with marshmallow, arranged on a long brown board.
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Sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving classic. Who can resist the combination of sweet potatoes topped with fluffy marshmallows? This twist gives you all that flavor in a little handheld package.

There are a million takes on sweet potato casserole but these mini bowls are unlike anything I’ve ever tried. Mashed sweet potatoes are flavored with cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. That would be great on its own, right?

But put it in a mini soft tortilla taco bowl and magic happens. The edges of the tortilla bowls crisp up perfectly and the marshmallows are like icing on the cake. It’s the perfect handheld sweet potato casserole.

I envision these being perfect for a big Friendsgiving celebrating or a Thanksgiving. Mini sweet potato bowls are traditional with a twist; they are super easy to serve. I like to call them mini boats!

If you’re looking for more sweet potato ideas, try twice baked sweet potatoes or sweet potato bread pudding. If you prefer things more on the savory side, these scalloped sweet potatoes with Gruyère and bacon are amazing.

More About This Sweet Potato Casserole

Easy! After combining the sweet potatoes with brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, and cinnamon, spread the mixture into mini bowls and pop these delectable treats into the oven. Let them get hot and crispy, pull the bowls out, and top with marshmallows. Back into the oven for a couple minutes and you’re good to go!

Filled sweet potato mini boats before baking. on baking sheet.

Nut-Free! I made this handheld sweet potato casserole without nuts so my kids could eat them. Even if you’re not worried about nut allergies, I know that many children don’t care for nuts in their food and often sweet potato casserole recipes contain nuts. I wanted to give you an alternative recipe. However, feel free to substitute a nutty streusel topping instead of the marshmallows if you want.

Mini boats on baking sheet after baking.

Handheld! My kids thought these were the coolest things ever. What kid wouldn’t love something that they can eat with their hands — and something that is COVERED IN MARSHMALLOWS. E and N were thrilled when these showed up on their plate for dinner. The mini boats are small enough for kids to easily handle, too.

Sweet potato casseroles arranged on board, one with a bite removed

Ways To Change This Recipe

  • Make a casserole instead. If you don’t want to mess with the little bowls, bake the sweet potato mixture in a small casserole dish.
  • Add a nutty topping. If you’d rather have nuts than marshmallows, add a streusel topping. Add it right away and let it bake the entire time.
  • Pumpkin pie! Use pumpkin pie spice instead of the cinnamon.
  • Make it vanilla. Fill the bowls with vanilla bean mashed sweet potatoes instead.

Make Ahead Ideas

  • Bake the sweet potatoes the day before so that they are ready to be combined with all the sugar and butter and cinnamon. You can also use your Instant Pot to cook them. The filling mixture can be made a day ahead.
  • Use leftover sweet potatoes. You could even make this the day AFTER Thanksgiving and use leftover sweet potatoes. What a yummy and creative way to use leftovers!

Storage & Reheating Tips

Store baked sweet potato casseroles in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in a toaster oven or oven so the tortilla boats crisp up.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

4.50 from 4 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 14
Marshmallows and sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving classic! This sweet potato casserole is a perfect addition to any holiday table.
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Ingredients 

  • 4 lbs. sweet potatoes (6 to 7 medium)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows

Instructions 

  • Trim, peel, and wash sweet potatoes. Cut into 1-inch chunks. Put into a large pot of water, cover; bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat down to medium, boil potatoes until they are fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well.
    4 lbs. sweet potatoes
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish or spray with nonstick spray.
  • Transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Cut butter into small chunks; add to the sweet potatoes. Mash them with a potato masher or an electric mixer until smooth and butter is melted.
    ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir well to combine.
    ½ cup brown sugar, packed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Evenly spread the sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the edges are slightly golden brown.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the mini marshmallows evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and toasted. Serve warm.
    2 cups mini marshmallows

Notes

  • Make ahead: Sweet potatoes can be cooked ahead of time and refrigerated. If using chilled potatoes, melt butter before adding it to the potatoes and mashing. The casserole can also be assembled ahead of time (without marshmallows) and refrigerated or frozen. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
  • Cooking sweet potatoes: Choose your favorite way to cook sweet potatoes. They can be boiled, baked (remove peel after baking), or pressure cooked. See Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes.
  • Recipe retested and revised 11/2024. Previously published as Handheld Sweet Potato Casserole without Nuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 150kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 144mg, Potassium: 123mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 4048IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.50 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. Amber says:

    I have made this for Thanksgiving every year for the last few years. Everyone loves them! I can’t usually find the tortilla boats, so I make them in muffin pans with crescent rolls cut to fit and filled with the filling.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      That’s a perfect adaptation! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, it means a lot to me!

  2. Ally says:

    Can you make the filling the night before??

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Yes! That will work great!

  3. Anna says:

    Woooww, looks absolutely awesome. I really need to try this recipe as soon as possible. Looks very authentic and perfect for Thanksgiving!

  4. Erin @ Texanerin Baking says:

    I think these are the coolest thing ever, too! Such a fun treat.

  5. Gina @Running to the Kitchen says:

    These are so cute! Great for the holidays!!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Thanks Gina!

  6. Cookin Canuck says:

    What a fun idea for the holidays!  I have a feeling my boys would be tempted to eat sweet potatoes if I served them like this.

  7. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says:

    SO thrilled to see a recipe for sweet potato casserole that is nut free! Making it in individual servings with marshmallows will send my boys over the edge of happiness. Who doesn’t like finger food?