Crockpot Candied Sweet Potatoes

Can sweet potatoes actually get any sweeter? Absolutely they can!

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Sweet potatoes make a great side dish for any occasion. But when you’re celebrating a special occasion, sometimes you want to make everything a little more special. So how do you make sweet potatoes extra special? The simple answer is to make candied sweet potatoes in the crock-pot. If you didn’t think sweet potatoes could get any sweeter or tastier, this dish will prove you wrong.

This recipe is little more than layers of sweet potatoes with a delicious glaze that’s made of maple syrup, brown sugar, citrus, and spice. It’s pretty effortless to prepare, with the crock-pot doing most of the work. The result is spiced and caramelized sweet potatoes that are overflowing with flavor. If you’re in need of an easy but elevated side dish for the holidays, a dinner party, or even just a regular weeknight meal, everyone is sure to love these crock-pot candied sweet potatoes.

Are Crock-Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes Healthy?

As the name “candied sweet potatoes” implies, there is a lot of sugar in this recipe. That’s part of the reason why this dish should be saved for special occasions when people aren’t as strict about following their diet. On the bright side, sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, beta-carotene, potassium, and other nutrients.

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes Evenly In A Crock-Pot

One of the keys to cooking candied sweet potatoes in the crock-pot is ensuring everything is cut and mixed evenly. For starters, ensure the syrupy mixture is stirred thoroughly. Also, it’s a good idea to cut the sweet potato into equal slices so that they cook at the same rate. Then create equal layers of potatoes and glaze in the crock-pot to ensure everything cooks evenly and the flavors are well distributed. I would also recommend checking on the dish periodically to make sure the potatoes come out tender but not overcooked.

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Zest from 1 orange, optional
4 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch thick slices
1/3 cup unsalted butter
Toasted pecans for garnish, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare

Peel and cut sweet potatoes.

Layer

Assemble ingredients in crock-pot.

Cook

Cook until tender and glazed.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Once all of the ingredients are prepped and added to the crock-pot, it’s possible to leave the crock-pot in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you start to cook candied sweet potatoes. After cooking, leftovers can be refrigerated in the crock-pot or an airtight container and will remain good for up to 3 or 4 days.

Can I Leave My Sweet Potatoes Unpeeled?

While this recipe calls for peeling your sweet potatoes, feel free to leave them unpeeled. Leaving the skin on will add some nutritional value. However, the texture and taste will be slightly different.

What Else Can I Add to This Dish?

Once the potatoes start to become tender and the dish is almost finished cooking, consider adding mini marshmallows to the crock-pot for additional sweetness and texture. However, don’t allow the marshmallows to melt completely.

Serving Suggestions

If you’re making crock-pot candied sweet potatoes for a special occasion, it probably won’t be the only side dish you make. Of course, you won’t be able to use the crock-pot for anything else, so you’ll need to get a little creative with your other options. One of my favorites, especially for the holidays, is Easy Gluten-Free Stuffing. You may also want to make Low-Carb Keto Green Bean Casserole, which is a healthy side dish to help balance out the candied sweet potatoes. This dish would also pair well with a few simple side dishes like Creamed Corn and Cumin-Roasted Carrots.