Slow-Cooker Candied Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Our classic candied sweet potatoes are incredibly simple to prepare in a slow cooker. This Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole is a delicious, fuss-free side that guests always request, and cooking it in the crock pot frees up oven space during holiday meal prep.

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

These sweet, creamy mashed sweet potatoes are topped with a buttery, brown sugar and pecan crumb that caramelizes and tastes almost like candy. It’s a standout potato side for Thanksgiving or Christmas and has become a family favorite.

I wasn’t always a fan of sweet potatoes until I tried this version—now it’s one of my go-to holiday dishes. Co-workers originally shared the recipe with me, and I’ve brought it to many gatherings since. Some families prefer pecans in the topping while others leave them out; either way, the casserole is irresistible.

This recipe is also practical: you can reserve extra mashed sweet potatoes for a baby or small children, and the texture is smooth and kid-friendly. The photos are nice, but you really have to taste this casserole to appreciate how good it is.

Crock Pot vs Oven

You can make loaded sweet potato casserole in a crock pot; the topping will be a bit softer than oven-baked, but the flavor is the same. If you prefer a crisper topping, use the oven option described below.

How to Make Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole

1. Peel, chunk and boil sweet potatoes until fork tender, then mash.
2. Grease a 9×13 baking dish if using the oven, and preheat to 350°F for that method.
3. Mix granulated sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk into the mashed potatoes and spread evenly in your cooking vessel.
4. Prepare the crumbly topping by combining melted butter, brown sugar, flour and chopped pecans; it should be crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the potatoes.
5. If baking, bake 30–35 minutes until the topping is lightly browned. For the crock pot, follow the slow cooker instructions below.

Recipe Tips

• Use a pot that’s no more than two-thirds full when boiling potatoes to avoid boilovers.
• You can reduce the sugar by up to half for a less-sweet casserole.
• Adding a little extra milk or butter helps the potatoes stay moist if you need to keep them warm for a while.
• If holding on the crock pot’s keep-warm setting, place a thin towel under the lid to absorb moisture and prevent sogginess; the casserole will hold for up to two hours.

Detailed Step-By-Step Instructions

Wash, peel and cut sweet potatoes into large chunks. Boil 15–25 minutes until fork tender. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl to mash.

After mashing, sprinkle in granulated sugar. Add softened butter while the potatoes are warm so it melts and is easier to mix. Beat until smooth.

Add milk, vanilla and lightly beaten eggs, then beat again until well combined.

For the slow cooker: pour the potato mixture into a lined 5–6 quart crock pot, cover and cook on low for 1½–2 hours, stirring every hour to promote even heating and prevent sticking.

Mix the crumbly topping (melted butter, brown sugar, flour and chopped pecans). When the potatoes are heated through, sprinkle the topping evenly over the surface. Place a thin towel over the crock pot, then the lid, to absorb excess moisture and cook on low another 1–2 hours until the topping sets and the potatoes are heated through.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the mashed sweet potato layer ahead of time. Place it in a crock pot liner, seal with a twist tie or rubber band and refrigerate. Keep the crock pot base at room temperature to reduce heating time and avoid cracking the liner. When ready, allow an extra 1–1½ hours on low to heat through, stirring occasionally before adding the topping. Use a thin towel under the lid while finishing to absorb moisture.

Oven Baked Option

To bake: mix the casserole ingredients, spread in a greased 9×13 baking dish, add the crumbly topping and bake at 350°F until the topping is lightly browned, about 30–35 minutes.

Farmhouse Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

Here are a few classic side dishes that pair well with sweet potato casserole and are perfect for holiday meals.

• Grandma’s Farmhouse Dressing
• Old Fashioned Cranberry Salad
• Twice Baked Potato Casserole
• Three Corn Casserole
• Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes – Farmhouse Style
• Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole
• Farmhouse Loaded Potatoes
• Air Fried Sweet Potato Cubes for a lighter option

We hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do.

Printable Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole

Created by Jennifer Osterholt

Servings: 15 people

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Our classic candied sweet potatoes are easy to make in a crock pot and are a recipe people love and request.

Ingredients

Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole

• 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 3 cups mashed)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup milk

Crumbly Topping

• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

• Peel and boil sweet potatoes until fork tender. Drain and mash in a large bowl.
• Add granulated sugar and slices of softened butter; beat until smooth.
• Add beaten eggs, vanilla and milk; mix until combined.
• Pour into a lined or greased 5–6 quart crock pot. Cook on low 1½–2 hours, stirring every hour and just before adding the topping.

Crumbly Topping

• Mix melted butter, brown sugar, flour and chopped pecans until crumbly.
• Sprinkle topping over the warmed potatoes, place a thin towel under the lid to absorb moisture, then cook on low another 1–2 hours until set.

Notes

-Stir every hour for even cooking.

-Cooking times assume a warm potato mixture to start; see make-ahead notes if preparing in advance.

-Oven and slow cooker times will vary between appliances.

Originally published on November 15, 2017 with photos and updates on January 25, 2022.