Thanksgiving is all about family, togetherness, and—let’s be honest—a lot of delicious food! This year, why not let the kids join in on the fun? Our Sweet Potato & Apple Casserole with Oat Crumble Topping is the perfect side dish for little hands to help create.
Not only is it a healthy twist on a holiday favorite, but it’s also packed with opportunities for kids to mix, mash, and sprinkle their way to a dish they’ll be proud to serve. Gather your mini chefs, roll up your sleeves, and make sweet memories together that are as heartwarming as the meal itself!
Ingredients For Sweet Potato Casserole
For the Sweet Potato & Apple Base:
3 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs)
2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work well), peeled and diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
For the Oat Crumble Topping:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup almond flour (or whole wheat flour)
2 tablespoons chopped pecans (optional)
2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Adult step: Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into chunks. Boil them in a large pot of water until fork-tender (about 15-20 minutes). Drain and let cool slightly.
Kid step: Mash the cooled sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl using a potato masher or fork.
Mix the Base
Adult step: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x9 baking dish.
Kid step: Add the diced apples, melted butter or coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir to combine. This is a great chance to teach about measuring and mixing!
Make the Oat Crumble Topping
Adult step: Measure and prepare all topping ingredients.
Kid step: Combine the oats, almond flour, pecans, coconut, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix until crumbly. Encourage them to use their hands—it’s fun and sensory!
Assemble and Bake
Kid step: Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the oat crumble topping over the base.
Adult step: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy!
Kid step: Let kids proudly announce the dish they helped make at the dinner table.
How Kids Can Learn and Benefit
Math Skills: Measuring ingredients teaches basic math concepts like fractions.
Fine Motor Skills: Mixing, mashing, and sprinkling topping strengthens hand-eye coordination.
Sensory Play: Mashing sweet potatoes and crumbling oats provides a tactile experience.
Healthy Choices: Discuss the benefits of natural sweeteners like maple syrup versus refined sugar.
Pride in Cooking: Giving kids tasks builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
This wholesome, kid-approved recipe is sure to become a family tradition, creating delicious memories along the way!
Pssst!! If you make this dish be sure to tag us on social media and show us your creations!
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