Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes for Easy Comfort Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To add a subtle contrast to the sweetness, consider adding a pinch of kosher salt to the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. This helps balance the rich flavors and makes the natural sweetness of the potatoes stand out even more. If you prefer a more complex spice profile, you can add a pinch of ground nutmeg or ginger, which pairs beautifully with the maple and cinnamon base.

If you find that the syrup is still too thin after the recommended cooking time, you can remove the lid for the final 20 minutes of cooking. This allows some of the excess moisture to evaporate, resulting in a thicker, stickier glaze.

Watch carefully during this time to ensure the sugars do not burn, as the concentration of sweetness will be higher once the liquid reduces significantly.

Variations

• Spiced Sweet Potatoes: Incorporate a half teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of ground cloves into the brown sugar mixture for a warmer, more aromatic spice profile that complements the maple syrup perfectly.
• Nutty Sweet Potatoes: Stir in a half cup of toasted pecans or walnuts during the last 30 minutes of cooking to add a pleasant crunch that contrasts well with the soft, tender sweet potatoes.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cool leftovers for no more than 2 hours before refrigerating.

Freezer

Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the sweet potatoes may become mushy upon thawing.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container once they have cooled to room temperature. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When storing, try to keep the potatoes in a single layer if possible to prevent them from breaking apart.

Always ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain the moisture and prevent the potatoes from absorbing other flavors from the refrigerator environment.

These candied sweet potatoes are an excellent make-ahead side dish, as the flavors often deepen after sitting for a day. You can prepare them fully and then gently reheat them on the stovetop or in the oven when ready to serve.

If planning to make them ahead, slightly undercook them by 15 minutes to allow for the additional heat exposure during the reheating process, which will help maintain their structure.

Serving ideas

Serve these candied sweet potatoes warm as a decadent side dish for roasted poultry, pork, or holiday hams. The rich, syrupy glaze pairs exceptionally well with savory proteins. You can garnish them with a few toasted pecans or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if you want to add a bit of texture and a pop of color to the final presentation.

For a more casual serving option, these potatoes can be enjoyed on their own as a comforting snack. Because they are soft and sweet, they work well when served alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert.

No matter how they are served, ensure they are warmed through to highlight the buttery, caramelized notes of the maple and brown sugar sauce.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes for Easy Comfort

Prep 10 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 10 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, sliced into small pieces
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

Instructions

1. Place the cubed sweet potatoes into the insert of a slow cooker. Ensure the pieces are roughly uniform in size to promote even cooking throughout the process.
2. Dot the top of the sweet potatoes with the sliced butter. Sprinkle the brown sugar and ground cinnamon evenly over the surface, then drizzle the maple syrup over the entire mixture.
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce has thickened into a glossy, caramelized glaze. Serve warm.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

320

Protein

2.5 g

Carbohydrates

62 g

Fat

8 g

Fiber

4 g

Sugar

45 g

Sodium

95 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.