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Our Classic Southern-Style Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping was so popular, I had to make an adaptation using one of my favorite kitchen appliances: an Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole, with a luscious brown sugar, pecan topping – the perfect way to prepare sweet potato casserole when the oven is busy with your other Thanksgiving dishes or for a quick and easy way to enjoy this classic fall side dish anytime.

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Years ago, the epitome of wealth (and thus, easy holiday entertaining) was having two ovens – one for the holiday main dish and one to cook all of the side dishes.

Now, you don’t need to be wealthy or have a double oven to be able to cook your main dish and all the sides at the same time – you just need to have enough counter space for an Instant Pot (or two).

Because the epitome of wealth is ease – the ease of being able to effortlessly prepare your holiday meal without stress or complicated oven schedules. And thanks to your trusty Instant Pot, you’re about to have to easiest Thanksgiving ever.

Today’s Sweet Potato Casserole can be prepped ahead and cooked to perfection in about 20-25 minutes in the Instant Pot, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy company, relax and perfect your other dishes. The result is a sweet and savoury side dish with the perfect contrast of earthy, soft sweet potatoes and sweet, nutty brown sugar pecan streusel topping.

In fact, one of my goals this fall was to round out my Instant Pot offerings so that if you wanted, you could easily prepare every single dish for Thanksgiving using your Instant Pot, so you can just use your oven to keep each recipe warm until ready to serve. (If you’re hosting family, have them each bring their Instant Pots to your house so you can cook them all at once, if desired.)

Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes? Check out our full collection here!

How to Prepare Sweet Potato Casserole Ahead of Time: Prepare the sweet potato casserole up to the point where the potato mixture has been added to your casserole dish. Cover the casserole dish with a lid or plastic wrap (I love these Pyrex dishes with fitted lids for this, plus easy transportation to parties or leftover storage). Prepare the pecan-streusel topping and store in a covered bowl or container.

Refrigerate the casserole and topping for up to three days (max) then bring to room temperature while the oven preheats. Sprinkle the topping over the casserole before cooking as directed.

What is the difference between a yam and a sweet potato? Yams are tougher, starchier and will result in a “stringier” sweet potato casserole. Yams have a brown, bark-like skin while sweet potatoes have a reddish skin that is the same texture of normal potatoes.

Can I use canned sweet potatoes to make sweet potato casserole? Well, technically yes – but I would advise using fresh, if possible. Canned sweet potatoes will change the texture and taste of this dish. The potatoes will be denser/heavier and you’ll have less control over the salt content. Some canned sweet potatoes are also packed in syrup which will also dramatically affect the texture and flavor.

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients

• Water
• Sweet Potatoes
• Heavy Cream
• Eggs
• Brown Sugar, or to taste
• Vanilla Extract
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Nutmeg

For the Streusel Topping:

• Butter, softened
• All-Purpose Flour
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Salt, optional
• Nutmeg
• Chopped Pecans

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: For this recipe, I used Millican Pecan’s Pecan Pieces. I didn’t realize what a difference there could be between pecan brands, but these are so incredibly fresh and flavorful. They also have delicious snack options like the Sweet and Spicy Pecans which are perfect for the holidays. My next order, I’m trying their Pecan Butter and the Caramel Pecan Coffee! (And by the way, this is not sponsored – I just really love them.)

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Instant Pot <– I’m so excited to upgrade to this one with air fryer capacities soon! (You can also just buy the lid which adds the air fryer capacity to your standard IP.)
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Colander
• Electric mixer <– this is a great hand mixer if you don’t want to make the investment into a stand mixer
• Vegetable Peeler

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole in the Instant Pot

Cut the sweet potatoes in half.

Place in the instant pot along with 1 cup of water.

Secure the lid and set to Manual for 8 minutes.

Quick release.

Remove the skins – they should come off easily – and drain out the water in the Instant Pot.

In a bowl (or the bowl of the instant pot), use an electric mixer to combine the sweet potatoes, heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.

Spoon the mixture into a heat-proof bowl or casserole dish that will fit in the Instant Pot.

Combine the streusel topping ingredients and sprinkle over the sweet potato casserole.

Place 1 cup of water in the instant pot, followed by the trivet that the IP came with.

Place the sweet potato casserole over the trivet and secure the IP lid.

Set to manual for 15 minutes. Natural release.

Pin this Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole for your Thanksgiving planning:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole recipe:

I hope your family loves this easy sweet potato casserole recipe as much as mine does!

For more easy Instant Pot ideas, check out our full Instant Pot recipe collection here:

For more ways to make veggies delicious, check out our full vegetable recipe collection here:

For more scrumptious side dishes, check out our full side dish recipe collection here: