Here is a simple, classic slow cooker candied sweet potatoes recipe you can follow.
Ingredients
- 2.5–3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1–2 inch chunks or ½-inch rounds
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed (up to 1 cup for extra sweet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (optional but makes a thicker, candy-like syrup)
- ½–⅓ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼–½ cup liquid: orange juice, apple juice, or water (more liquid makes more syrup)
- Optional toppings: chopped pecans or walnuts, mini marshmallows (added at the end)
Slow cooker instructions
- Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray or lightly butter it to reduce sticking.
- In a bowl, whisk the liquid (orange juice, apple juice, or water) with 1 tablespoon cornstarch if you want a thicker glaze, then stir in the sugars, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla until combined.
- Add the sweet potatoes to the slow cooker and pour the sugar mixture over them; toss gently to coat all pieces.
- Dot the top evenly with the butter cubes.
- Cover and cook:
- On HIGH for about 3–4 hours, or
- On LOW for about 5–6 hours,
until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and glossy in the syrup. Stir once or twice during cooking so everything candies evenly.
- If you want the sauce thicker, transfer some of the liquid to a small saucepan at the end and simmer 5–10 minutes to reduce, then pour back over the sweet potatoes.
- For a marshmallow finish, sprinkle mini marshmallows over the top during the last 10–15 minutes on HIGH, just until melted.
Tips and variations
- For “extra candied,” use closer to 1 cup brown sugar and ½ cup liquid; for less sweet, cut the sugar in half.
- A pinch of chili flakes or hot honey gives a sweet-heat twist if you like a little spice.
- These reheat well on the slow cooker “warm” setting or in the oven, making them great for Thanksgiving or other holiday meals.
If you tell what size slow cooker you have and how sweet you like them, a more tailored ingredient list can be given.
