Wood-Fired Sweet Potato Casserole. Take the classic flavours of a Sweet Potato Casserole to new heights, by cooking with the smoky flavours of lump charcoal and wood!
The caramelization of the roasted sweet potatoes in the Ooni Karu 16 oven is life changing! The perfect browning of the marshmallows, as the flames gently roll across the top of the oven is mesmerizing!
Finishing with pecan wood creates a intoxicating aroma! This “side dish” was so good that my wife enjoyed leftovers with her morning coffee!
Disclosure: I have participated in a paid partnership with Ooni. Opinions in this post are my own. Proud Onni Ambassador. Opinions in this post are my own.
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Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Sage
- Eggs
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Half and half, optional
Topping
- Miniature marshmallows
- Pecans
See recipe card for quantities.
INSTRUCTIONS
Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat the Ooni Karu 16 oven to 400°F (I use a combination of lump charcoal & hardwood to maintain the heat and add layers of flavour).
When the oven has reached 375°F, place the Ooni Dual-Sided Grizzler Plate in the oven, ridge side up, to preheat. Pierce potatoes several times.
Once the oven has reached 400°F, place the sweet potatoes on the grizzler plate and bake for 1-1¼ hours or until soft. Rotate the potatoes and change positions every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. The rear of the oven and sides are slightly hotter, so moving positions will ensure consistent cooking.
As you add fuel, if the flames are too large and are rolling towards the rear potatoes, causing them to burn, open the fuel hatch and allow the flames to burn down, then replace the hatch.
Once the potatoes are done, remove from oven. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then peel off the skin. (Alternatively, cut open and scoop out the pulp). Mash to desired consistency.
Assemble and Bake the Casserole
Add all the ingredients EXCEPT for the toppings (half & half is completely optional).
Mix well, then spoon into an oiled Ooni Cast Iron Skillet (9”).
Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes, until heated through.
Top with marshmallows and pecans and bake 5 minutes or until marshmallow are lightly toasted.
TIPS
For the baking process and browning of the marshmallows, I used a couple of chunks of pecan wood to add additional flavour.
To make ahead, assemble the casserole, do not bake, or put on the toppings. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Remove from the refrigerator while preheating the oven and bake as per directions.
FAQ
Yes, absolutely! You can make the Wood-Fired Sweet Potato Casserole in your range oven instead of a wood-fired oven. Here’s how you can adjust the recipe:
Oven Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). The even heat distribution in your oven will work beautifully to achieve that golden, caramelized top.
Prepare the sweet potato mixture and topping as instructed in the original recipe.
Assemble the casserole in an oven-safe baking dish.
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned, and the sweet potato mixture is heated through. For browning the marshmallows, switch to broil for the last 1-2 minutes but keep a close eye on it to avoid burning!
Tips for Replicating that Wood-Fired Flavour, Optional:
To infuse a subtle smoky flavour similar to wood-fired cooking, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the sweet potato mixture or topping.
Another option is to incorporate a few drops of liquid smoke into the casserole for an extra hint of smokiness.
This will ensure your sweet potato casserole still has rich, deep flavours with a beautifully caramelized topping, even without the wood fire. Enjoy!
Equipment
For this recipe, I used the Ooni Dual Sided Grizzler Plate, the Ooni Cast Iron Skillet (9”) and my Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven.
More of my favourite Ooni Recipes (not pizza) to enjoy!
Tried this recipe?
If you get the chance to try this recipe, please drop back and leave us a comment and rating. We would love to know what you think.
Cheers! James & Elaine
📖 Recipe
Wood-fired Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 pounds medium sized sweet potatoes (approx. 6), washed and dried 1.9 kg
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar 45g
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage finely chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- salt to taste
- ½ cup half and half optional
Topping
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows 110g
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans 35g
Instructions
Roast the Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat the Ooni Karu 16 oven to 400°F (I use a combination of lump charcoal & hardwood to maintain the heat and add layers of flavour).
- When the oven has reached 375°F, place the Ooni Dual-Sided Grizzler Plate in the oven, ridge side up, to preheat. Pierce potatoes several times.
- Once the oven has reached 400°F, place the sweet potatoes on the grizzler plate and bake for 1-1¼ hours or until soft. Rotate the potatoes and change positions every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. The rear of the oven and sides are slightly hotter, so moving positions will ensure consistent cooking.
- As you add fuel, if the flames are too large and are rolling towards the rear potatoes, causing them to burn, open the fuel hatch and allow the flames to burn down, then replace the hatch.
- Once the potatoes are done, remove from oven. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then peel off the skin. (Alternatively, cut open and scoop out the pulp). Mash to desired consistency.
Assemble and Bake the Casserole
- Add all the ingredients EXCEPT for the toppings (half & half is completely optional).
- Mix well, then spoon into an oiled Ooni Cast Iron Skillet (9”).
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes, until heated through.
- Top with marshmallows and pecans and bake 5 minutes or until marshmallow are lightly toasted.
- Note: for the baking process and browning of the marshmallows, I used a couple of chunks of pecan wood to add additional flavour.
Additional Notes
- To make ahead, assemble the casserole, do not bake, or put on the toppings. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Remove from the refrigerator while preheating the oven and bake as per directions.
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