Easy Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole: Dairy-Free, Vegan, Gluten-Free & Allergy-Friendly Recipe

Experience the ultimate in convenience and flavor with this incredible slow cooker sweet potato casserole! It’s a deliciously sweet and filling side dish, generously infused with warm cinnamon, a subtle hint of bright orange, and topped with irresistible fluffy marshmallows. So rich and decadent, you might just feel like you’re indulging in dessert for dinner! This Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole is also naturally free of gluten, is completely top 8 allergy-free, and offers a fantastic vegan option for everyone to enjoy.

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For many, the glorious sweet potato season truly kicks off with Thanksgiving and warmly extends throughout the entire winter. Personally, I find it hard to connect with those who only grace their tables with sweet potatoes once a year on Thanksgiving – they’re truly missing out on a world of delicious possibilities! Sweet potatoes are not just a holiday staple; they are a versatile, nutritious, and incredibly satisfying vegetable that deserves a place in our kitchens much more frequently.

I absolutely love incorporating sweet potatoes into both my Thanksgiving spread and my festive Christmas feast. It’s not just for the joy of the dish itself, but also because it puts me in excellent standing with my husband, who adores them just as much as I do. It’s a genuine win-win situation for us! In fact, when this dairy-free slow cooker sweet potato casserole is on the menu, I pretty much have to surrender all the glorious leftovers to him. It’s that good, and that much of a family favorite.

Another compelling reason why this scrumptious side dish is a must-have for those grand holiday gatherings is its sheer simplicity. When you’re juggling countless other dishes, managing oven space, and perfecting every component of a big meal, having a reliable, no-fail side that you can simply “set and forget” in your slow cooker is an absolute lifesaver. This slow cooker sweet potato casserole recipe minimizes stress and maximizes flavor, allowing you to focus on other culinary creations or, even better, enjoy time with your loved ones.

So, dust off your trusty slow cooker and prepare to create a truly delightful and sweet side dish that caters to various dietary needs. This dairy-free sweet potato crock pot casserole is not only effortless but also incredibly flavorful, offering a creamy, sweet base topped with golden, gooey marshmallows that everyone will adore. Let’s dive into how to make this allergy-friendly treat a staple in your home!

Frequently Asked Questions: Making This Sweet Potato Casserole Dairy-Free and Allergy-Friendly

Here are some common questions and detailed answers about preparing this mouthwatering sweet potato casserole in a way that is dairy-free and suitable for various allergies, ensuring everyone can enjoy this classic dish.

Why is there no milk or cream in this sweet potato casserole?

Traditionally, milk or cream is often used in sweet potato casseroles to achieve a thinner consistency and add a rich creaminess. However, the beauty of this recipe is that it proves milk is entirely unnecessary! Instead, I ingeniously use a touch of apple or orange juice to help thin the mashed sweet potatoes, while simultaneously infusing them with a natural, subtle sweetness that complements the other flavors beautifully. The natural starches present in the sweet potatoes themselves, once mashed or blended, work their magic to create a wonderfully thick and creamy texture all on its own, without any need for dairy. This clever substitution not only keeps the dish dairy-free but also adds a bright, fresh note to the overall profile.

How far in advance can you prepare this dairy-free sweet potato casserole?

One of the many benefits of this slow cooker recipe is its excellent make-ahead potential, making it perfect for busy holidays or potlucks. You can prepare this dish as early as the morning of your event, leaving it on the “low” or “warm” setting in your slow cooker until you are ready to serve. For even greater convenience, the casserole (without the marshmallows) can be made 1-2 days in advance. Simply store it covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, reheat it gently in the slow cooker or oven. Just remember this crucial tip: do not add the marshmallows until you are about to serve! If you add them too early and then reheat, they will melt completely into the casserole, losing their distinct fluffy texture and beautiful golden topping. While the flavor will still be present, you’ll miss out on that iconic, visually appealing marshmallow layer. So, for the best presentation, toast those marshmallows right before serving!

Is this sweet potato casserole vegan?

Given that this recipe contains no animal products like milk or eggs in the sweet potato base, it might seem inherently vegan. However, there’s one sneaky ingredient that can often make traditional sweet potato casseroles non-vegan: marshmallows. Most conventional marshmallows contain gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen. The good news is, achieving a fully vegan sweet potato casserole is incredibly easy! You have two main options: either omit the marshmallows entirely (the casserole is plenty sweet and delicious with just the brown sugar and spices), or opt for a certified vegan marshmallow brand. Brands like Dandies offer fantastic plant-based marshmallows that toast beautifully and provide that classic sweet potato casserole experience without any animal products.

What savory dishes pair well with sweet potato casserole?

Given its inherently sweet profile, this sweet potato casserole truly shines when paired with savory main dishes. The contrast between the rich, spiced sweetness of the casserole and a savory entree creates a beautifully balanced meal. Here are some of my favorite pairings that elevate any dining experience:

Oprah’s Unfried Chicken Made Gluten-Free: The crispy, savory chicken is a perfect counterpoint to the soft, sweet potatoes.
Dairy & Gluten-Free Crock Pot Turkey Breast: This lean, herby turkey is an ideal partner, especially for holiday meals, complementing without overpowering.
And of course, it’s an absolute staple for…Thanksgiving! It perfectly rounds out a traditional holiday spread.
This casserole is also fantastic for potlucks, easily pleasing a crowd and catering to various dietary needs.
If you happen to have any leftover cooked sweet potatoes, don’t let them go to waste! You must try my friend, Erin’s, innovative and comforting Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese for a creative repurpose.

Do I have to toast the marshmallows on top of my sweet potato casserole?

No, toasting the marshmallows is entirely optional, though highly recommended for an elevated experience! The sweet potatoes should be warm enough from the slow cooker to gently melt the marshmallows, allowing them to meld together and create a lovely, soft topping layer. However, for those who appreciate both visual appeal and a delightful textural contrast, toasting the marshmallows takes this dish to the next level. It gives them a beautiful golden-brown color and introduces a slightly crispy, caramelized exterior that yields to a wonderfully gooey center.

You can achieve this perfect toasted finish in a couple of ways:

With a Kitchen Blow Torch: For precise control and a professional touch, a kitchen blow torch is your best friend. Carefully wave the flame over the marshmallows until they are golden and slightly charred in spots.
Under the Broiler: If your slow cooker insert or the baking dish you transfer the casserole into is oven-safe (crucial: *not* the entire slow cooker electric shell!), you can place it under your oven’s broiler. Keep a very close watch, as marshmallows can go from perfectly golden to burnt in mere seconds. Broil for approximately 1 minute, rotating as needed, until they achieve that beautiful toasted look. This method creates a satisfyingly crisp top layer.

For those navigating food allergies, finding safe marshmallow brands can be tricky. Click here to see which marshmallow brands are dairy-free if you need help finding a safe and compliant option for this recipe.

*If you’re eager to learn how to adapt this recipe for the Instant Pot, you’ll find a dedicated recipe for that, plus many more allergy-friendly delights, in my comprehensive allergy-friendly Instant Pot cookbook!

Dairy-Free & Vegan Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole (GF, Top 8 Free)

Yield:
8 servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
6 hours

Total Time:
6 hours 10 minutes

A sweet side dish that feels like a decadent dessert, yet is incredibly simple to make! Just dump the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do all the work. This recipe is naturally free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut, and tree nuts, making it top-8-free and incredibly inclusive, with an easy-to-achieve vegan option!

Ingredients

4-5 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped (no need for perfection since you’ll be mashing them later)
1/2 cup orange juice* (see notes for apple juice alternative)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 cups mini marshmallows (or enough to top it generously)**, ensure they are vegan if needed

Instructions

Thoroughly spray your slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents the high sugar content from sticking and burning, making cleanup much easier.
Evenly spread the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes across the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle all the dry spices over the potatoes, then pour the orange juice and vanilla extract evenly over everything. Cook on the low setting for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The low setting is generally preferred to prevent the sugars from caramelizing too quickly or burning. However, the goal is simply to cook until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, at which point you can stop the cooking process.
Once cooked, use a potato masher or an immersion blender to mash the sweet potatoes until they are soft and achieve a uniform, creamy puree. Carefully remove your slow cooker insert (the ceramic or metal bowl, NOT the electric base) and place it into your oven. Before doing so, always double-check that your slow cooker insert is oven-safe! (If not, you can transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to a 13×9-inch baking dish for this step – though I prefer to minimize extra dishes.) Generously top the casserole with mini marshmallows. Switch your oven to the broiler setting and brown the marshmallows for approximately 1 minute, watching them continuously and closely, until they are beautifully golden brown and delightfully gooey. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

*Feel free to use apple juice instead of orange juice if you prefer not to have a hint of orange flavor with your sweet potatoes. Both options are absolutely delicious! When using apple juice, you won’t taste the apples explicitly; it simply contributes a lovely natural sweetness, reducing the need for excessive brown sugar.

**If you wish for this recipe to be entirely vegan, be certain to use vegan-certified marshmallows. Alternatively, you can choose to omit the marshmallows altogether; the casserole will still be wonderfully amazing and sweet thanks to the brown sugar and natural sweetness of the potatoes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 159Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 304mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 3gSugar: 24gProtein: 2g

This slow cooker sweet potato casserole is more than just a dish; it’s a celebration of flavor, convenience, and inclusivity. Its allergy-friendly nature means that almost everyone at your table can enjoy a generous serving of this comforting classic. Whether you’re preparing it for a grand holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner, its ease of preparation and delightful taste are guaranteed to impress. The creamy texture, warm spices, and gooey marshmallow topping create a symphony of flavors that will leave everyone asking for more. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your slow cooker, and prepare to delight in this incredible dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly sweet potato sensation!

Adapted from: Six Sisters Stuff