Crock Pot Candied Sweet Potato Casserole

Our classic candied sweet potatoes are so easy to make in a crock pot! This Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole is an easy side dish recipe that people always ask for!

Making sweet potato casserole it in the slow cooker saves space in the oven making Thanksgiving meal prep easier!

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

The sweet and creamy sweet potatoes couldn’t get any better until you add this delectable, crumbly butter, brown sugar, and pecan topping that tastes like candy when it’s baked. This is one of the best Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

A big Thanksgiving or Christmas meal just isn’t complete without special treats like this loaded sweet potato casserole.  I wasn’t even a fan of sweet potatoes until I tried this recipe.  It’s that good!

Some co-workers shared this recipe with me years ago and I’ve taken it to many family gatherings since.

Our family is split on whether to use the pecans in the crumbly, candy topping or leave them out.  Whatever your preference, that’s a pretty easy change to make and it won’t affect the overall taste of the dish.  

My husband’s family has a similar Sweet Potato Souffle recipe where they use walnuts on top.  My mom prefers to use a glaze in her Citrus Glazed Sweet Potato Casserole.  All of these recipes are super delicious and make sweet potatoes taste even better!

We also like this recipe because we mashed some extra potatoes to keep aside and feed the baby.  She is just starting to eat food and it is messy and fun!  Feeding her these sweet potatoes reminded me that it might be time to pick up a mat to protect our rug and wood floor.

The pictures don’t do this recipe justice.  You’ve really got to try it for yourself!

Can Loaded Sweet Potatoes be Made in the Crock Pot?

Loaded sweet potato casserole can be made in a crock pot, however the topping will be a bit softer than when baked in the oven. The delicious taste is the same!

How to Make Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole

1.  Boil and mash peeled and chunked sweet potatoes
2. Grease a 9×13 baking dish and preheat oven to 350°F
3. Mix sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk into potatoes and spread in an even layer in the baking dish
4. Mix the crumbly topping ingredients together: melted butter, sugar, flour and chopped pecans.  The mixture should be crumbly.  Sprinkle as evenly as possible over potatoes.
5. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes until the topping is lightly browned.  Cover with foil and keep in warming drawer on medium or low for up to two hours if needed.

Recipe Tips

• Pots with boiling water and potatoes create foam and easily boil over, so don’t fill over 2/3 full. It’s better to use a large pot or two medium pots than have a big mess on the stove to clean up.
• Sugar can be reduced by up to half if desired, but of course the recipe won’t be quite as decadent.
• Food safety is very important to keep in mind – adding a little extra milk and butter will help the potatoes hold at a warm temperature and stay moist if needed.
• Can be held on keep warm for up to two hours, but keep thick paper towels or thin tea towel under the lid to help absorb moisture.

Detailed Step-By-Step Instructions

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

Once potatoes are mashed well sprinkle granulated sugar. Then slice softened butter over warm potatoes so it begins to melt and is easier to mix in. Beat until mixture is smooth.

Then add milk, vanilla and eggs. It’s preferable to lightly beat eggs, but not an absolute requirement. Beat again for a few minutes until well mixed.

Pour into a lined 5 or 6 quart slow cooker. Cover and set to low for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Stir every hour to help warm evenly and prevent burning.

Mix together crumbly topping ingredients.

Once the potatoes are warmed through stir well and then sprinkle brown sugar and pecan topping mixture over the top. Add a thin towel to the top of the crock pot underneath the lid to help absorb moisture and cook on low for another hour. Once the potatoes are hot through to the center and the topping has baked on the casserole is ready to enjoy!

Can This Casserole Be Made Ahead of Time?

The mashed sweet potato layer may be prepared ahead of time and poured into a lined crock pot. Then tie the crock pot liner up with a twist tie or rubber band and store the liner in the refrigerator. Leave the crock out at room temperature to save heating time, save room in the fridge and to prevent cracking.

Add 1 to 1 1/2 hours of cook time on low to warm the potatoes through. Stir a couple times to ensure a consistent temperature before adding the crumbly candy topping. Be sure to add a tea towel under the lid to help absorb moisture during this step.

There are more tips on a similar recipe in our Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes.

Oven Baked Casserole Option

Mix casserole ingredients and pour into a 9×13 baking dish. Mix up crumbly topping ingredients and sprinkle over the potatoes. Bake in a 350°F oven until the topping is lightly browned.

FARMHOUSE SIDE DISHES FOR THANKSGIVING

Here are a few other classic recipes that we enjoy at Thanksgiving.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

• Grandma’s Farmhouse Dressing
• Twice Baked Potato Casserole
• Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes – Farmhouse Style
• Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole
• Farmhouse Loaded Potatoes
• Air Fried Sweet Potato Cubes are a lighter yet delicious option!

We hope you enjoy these meals as much as we do!

Printable Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

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