This is the best turnip and apple casserole. This dish was inspired by the Turnips 'N' Apples Casserole from the Best of Bridge Cookbook but is a healthier version of that classic side dish. It's made with turnips, apples, coconut sugar, and cinnamon, and this dish is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any fall occasion.
If you ask me, delicious side dishes like dairy free cream of mushroom soup, air fried turnip fries, roasted carrots and parsnips with maple syrup and cranberry maple Brussels sprouts are what really make a meal which is why I am so excited to share today's side dish recipe with you!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe:
- This turnip casserole tastes amazing! It could pass for dessert it tastes so good. The combination of apples, almond flour crumble crust, and turnips blends perfectly to create the most amazing flavour.
- It's perfect for any holiday meal, including Thanksgiving or Christmas but is also great to serve any time.
- This turnip and apple bake can be made ahead of time and stores well in the fridge so it's great for meal prep.
- This turnip apple casserole is a healthy alternative and fun twist on the old fashioned Turnips 'N' Apples Casserole recipe from The Best of Bridge Cookbook and this version is paleo, dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free, and vegan!
- This apple casserole is made without apple sauce and without maple syrup.
- Even kids love it!
If you love apple recipes you will also love my healthy apple crumble recipe, healthy apple pie bars and healthy apple crumble bars.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- Turnips - this root vegetable takes on the most delicious and sweet flavour when paired with the apples.
- Apples - I recommend using sweet red apples such as gala, ambrosia, pink lady or honeycrisp for this recipe.
- Coconut sugar - this helps add the perfect sweet flavour to this dish while keeping it refined sugar free. If you don't have coconut sugar you can use brown sugar instead.
- Cinnamon - cinnamon, sugar and apples has to be one of the best combinations ever! It gives this casserole that perfect fall flavour.
- Almond Flour - to make the crust while keeping this recipe gluten free. Just be sure to use almond flour, and not almond meal.
- Coconut oil - this is used to mash with the cooked turnips to make the most creamy consistency. Instead of coconut oil you can use butter, vegan butter, ghee, avocado oil or olive oil instead.
- Salt - to contrast the sweetness of this dish.
How to make turnip and apple casserole:
Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and while the oven is heating bring a large pot of water to boil on the stovetop. While you wait for the water to boil, peel and chop the turnips.
Step 2: Once the water is boiling, add the chopped turnips to the pot and turn the heat down to medium. Boil the turnips until they are soft. This should take about 20 minutes.
Step 3: While the turnips are boiling, peel and cut the apples into slices approximately 3-4mm thick.
Step 4: Add the slices apples to a large bowl with the cinnamon and coconut sugar. Give the apples a toss so they get coated in the cinnamon and sugar and then set the bowl aside.
Step 5: Once the turnips are soft, pour the water out of the pot and add the coconut oil and salt. Mash the turnips until they are nice and smooth.
Step 6: In a casserole dish, layer the mashed turnips and apples. You should have enough for 2 layers of each.
Step 7: Place the crust ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a pastry blender or fork.
Step 8: Transfer the crust ingredients to the top of the casserole and spread it out evenly. Cover the casserole dish with the lid and bake the dish for 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and then serve and enjoy!
Top tip:
Use an immersion blender to more quickly and easily mash the turnips.
How to serve:
This healthy side dish is best served warm. It is perfect to serve at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner but it could also be eaten anytime. It pairs really well with roasted turkey or cooked ham and other holiday side dishes like dairy free scalloped potatoes, grain free stuffing and honey glazed carrots and parsnips.
How to store:
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Turnip and apple casserole FAQs:
Absolutely! To prepare this dish ahead of time, assemble the casserole and keep it in the fridge overnight. When you are ready to cook, bake it for 60 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then serve and enjoy!
While I recommend using red apples you could use any other apples that are good for baking such as, golden delicious or granny smith
I love serving this casserole as a side dish with turkey, ham or chicken.
Other healthy side dishes you will love:
Recipe
Turnip and Apple Casserole
Equipment
- Casserole dish
Ingredients
Turnip Layer
- 2 medium turnips (~ 2 lbs)
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Apple Layer
- 4 red apples
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (more or less to taste)
Crust
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F.
- Fill a large pot with water and place it on the stove on high heat to bring to a boil.
- While you are waiting for the water to boil, peel and chop the turnips.
- Once the water is boiling, add the chopped turnip and turn the heat down to medium. Boil the turnips until they are soft (~ 20 minutes).
- While the turnips are boiling, peel and chop the apples into slices ~3-4 mm thick.
- When the applies are sliced, put them in a bowl with the coconut sugar and cinnamon and toss until the apples are well coated. Set the bowl aside.
- When the turnips are soft, drain all the water from the pot. Then add the coconut oil and salt and mash the turnip until smooth (you can use your immersion blender to do this as well).
- In a 2.5 quart casserole dish, layer the mashed turnips and apple slices, starting with the turnip layer. You should have enough for 2 layers of each.
- Place the crust ingredients in a bowl and mix with a pastry blender or fork.
- Place the crust over the final apple layer and cover the casserole dish with the lid. Bake for 60 minutes.
Notes
- To prepare this dish ahead of time, assemble the casserole and keep it in the fridge overnight. When you are ready to cook, bake it for 60 minutes at 350F.
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
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