Slow Cooker Ham and Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Sugar

Discover the ultimate set-and-forget dinner that combines savory ham with the natural sweetness of potatoes. This slow cooker recipe creates a rich, caramelized glaze that transforms simple pantry staples into a comforting, restaurant-quality meal.

With minimal prep time and hands-off cooking, it is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when flavor and convenience are both top priorities. Prepare to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar as this dish slowly simmers to perfection.

Slow cooking is a fantastic way to coax deep, complex flavors out of simple ingredients. By layering precooked ham with fresh sweet potatoes, the natural juices from the meat mingle with the starch from the potatoes to create a naturally thick, savory-sweet sauce.

The addition of brown sugar and cinnamon provides a warm, autumnal profile that complements the saltiness of the ham, while the butter adds a luxurious mouthfeel to the final dish.

This recipe relies on the gentle, consistent heat of the slow cooker to ensure the potatoes become tender and flavorful without losing their shape. It is a reliable, stress-free approach to home cooking that delivers satisfying results every time, making it an excellent addition to any collection of go-to dinner recipes.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The slow cooker method creates a humid environment that prevents the sweet potatoes from drying out, allowing them to absorb the savory essence of the ham. This gentle heat is ideal for breaking down the starches in the potatoes while infusing them with the cinnamon-sugar glaze throughout the long cooking process.

Layering the ingredients in a specific order—ham on the bottom, followed by potatoes, then the seasoning—allows the ingredients to interact optimally. As the butter melts, it carries the cinnamon and brown sugar down through the layers, ensuring a balanced flavor in every bite and creating a cohesive, thickened sauce by the end of the cycle.

Notes and substitutions

Use high-quality, bone-in or boneless ham cubes for the best texture. If the ham is particularly salty, consider rinsing it briefly under cold water and patting it dry before adding it to the slow cooker to balance the overall seasoning of the dish.

A standard oval slow cooker works best for this recipe as it provides ample surface area for even distribution. Ensure the lid fits tightly to maintain consistent temperature and moisture levels throughout the cooking duration.

If the slow cooker is significantly larger than the volume of ingredients, the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly.

• Brown sugar: Coconut sugar or dark muscovado sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.
• Sweet potatoes: Yams or butternut squash, which provide a similar texture and sweetness.

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Knife
• Cutting board