More Recipes You'll Love
Sweet potato casserole with a paleo makeover: naturally sweetened with coconut palm sugar and crowned with toasted paleo marshmallows. The sweet potatoes simmer right in the sugar syrup before they're mashed, so the flavor goes all the way through. It's the holiday side everyone fights over.
Pro Tips
- Simmer the cubed sweet potatoes with the palm sugar, salt, pepper and water in one pot for 35-45 minutes — cooking them in the syrup means every forkful tastes caramelized.
- Mash directly in the pot to your preferred texture, from slightly chunky to perfectly smooth. Both are correct.
- Position the oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler element and use a broiler-safe dish — the marshmallow finish needs real top heat.
- Broil the marshmallows 2-4 minutes and watch constantly. They go from golden to burnt in seconds.
- If the marshmallows catch fire, don't panic: slide a metal cookie sheet over the dish to smother the flames, scrape off the burnt layer, add fresh marshmallows and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are paleo marshmallows?
Marshmallows made without refined sugar or corn syrup — homemade or a clean store-bought brand. They puff and toast under the broiler just like the classic ones.
Can I make the casserole ahead?
Yes — mash the sweet potatoes and refrigerate, then bring to room temperature, top with marshmallows and broil just before serving.
Why cook the potatoes in the sugar water?
It seasons the flesh from the inside out and gives the whole casserole a deep caramel sweetness rather than a surface-only sweetness.
Can I skip the marshmallows?
The casserole is delicious as simply mashed, palm-sugar-sweetened sweet potatoes — but the toasted marshmallow layer is what makes it a holiday classic.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Method
- Serves: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- 1.
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the coconut oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the cubed sweet potatoes, palm sugar, sea salt, pepper, and water.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- 2.
- Simmer Until Tender: Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 35 to 45 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The sweet potatoes are ready when they are completely fork-tender and can be easily mashed.
- 3. Mash the Mixture: Remove the pot from the heat.
- Using a potato masher, mash the sweet potato mixture directly in the pot until you reach your desired consistency, from slightly chunky to perfectly smooth.
- 4. Prepare for Broiling: Position an oven rack so it is about 6 inches from the broiler element, and preheat your oven's broiler.
- 5. Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mashed sweet potato mixture to a 13x9-inch (or similar 3-quart) broiler-safe baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Top with the paleo marshmallows, covering the surface completely.
- 6. Broil Until Golden: Place the casserole dish under the preheated broiler. Broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching it constantly, until the marshmallows are puffed, lightly melted, and toasted to a beautiful golden-brown color.
- 7.
- Serve: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving warm. ⭐ Important Chef's Tip: Broiler Safety Marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in a matter of seconds.
- Do not walk away from the oven while broiling! If they happen to catch fire, don't panic. Carefully slide a metal cookie sheet over the dish to smother the flames. You can then scrape off the burnt layer, add fresh marshmallows, and try again, watching even more closely.
