This Slow Cooker Crockpot Candied Sweet Potatoes (Yams) recipe is a homemade Southern soul food dish from scratch and drizzled in thick caramelized syrup. Serve this side for Thanksgiving, the holidays, Sunday dinner, or for any meal.
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The Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams
In most grocery stores there is no difference between the two. Most stores often label sweet potatoes as yams.
Yams have more starch and are drier. They have bumpy tough, brown skin. Yams are typically used in Caribbean and West African dishes. You have probably never eaten yams, as they are hard to find in the United States.
Years ago, Southerners (primarily in Louisiana) started to refer to them as yams. And since this is a Southern recipe, you will often hear it called candied yams.
You can read more about The Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes here.
How to Slice Sweet Potatoes
The shape is your decision and is up to you. Be sure to scrub the potatoes really well and peel them first.
- Rounds: This is my favorite method. I slice them about half an inch to 1 inch thick. I use this mandolin from Amazon to slice them.
- Bite-Sized Chunks: An inch thick.
- Large Ovals
How to Sweeten The Sweet Potato Glaze
You will need the following ingredients:
This recipe doesn’t use marshmallows, but I do use them in my Sweet Potato Casserole. Feel free to add marshmallows if you wish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Crockpot Sweet Potatoes
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Peel and slice the sweet potatoes
- Combine water and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Add sweet potatoes, cornstarch mixture, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar or sweetener, white sugar or sweetener, and vanilla to the slow cooker.
- Cover and slow cook.
How to Thicken the Sweet Potato Glaze
You will need to create a slurry using cornstarch and water to thicken the glaze. Combine the two in a bowl and then add it to the sweet potatoes.
Cook Time and How Long to Cook
Every Crockpot and slow cooker will cook at varying speeds. You should plan to keep a watchful eye if you don’t want sweet potatoes that fall apart.
Cook on High for 3-4 hours or on Low for 6-8 hours.
Can You Make The Dish Ahead of Time? How Long Will It Last?
The dish will last 3-4 days properly stored and covered in the refrigerator.
More Crockpot Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Bone In Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Spiral Ham
Slow Cooker Crockpot Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Crockpot Oxtail
Slow Cooker Crockpot Neck Bones
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Necks
Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff
Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
More Sweet Potato Recipes
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Oatmeal
Sugar Free Sweet Potato Pie
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
Sweet Potato Beef Chili
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Sweet Potato Avocado Toast
Sweet Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Crockpot Candied Sweet Potatoes (Soul Food Yams)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes Washed and Peeled. This was 2 large sweet potatoes for me. Weigh for accuracy.
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch See notes.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar or sweetener
- 3/4 cup white sugar or sweetener
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract I use pure vanilla, not imitation.
Instructions
- Peel and slice the sweet potatoes into rounds about 1/2 to 1 inch thick. You can also slice them into 1/2 to 1 inch cubes.
- Combine the water and cornstarch in a bowl. Stir.
- Add all of the ingredients (including the cornstarch water slurry) to the slow cooker.
- Cover and slow cook on High for 3-4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours. Stir the sweet potatoes halfway through the cooking process. This recipe does not use a lot of water because you want a thick glaze for the sweet potatoes. Because of this, you will need to give them a stir to ensure the sweet potatoes on the bottom don't cook faster than the ones on the top.
- Cool before serving. Allow the glaze to thicken. See notes for how to thicken the sauce if necessary.
Notes
- If making candied sweet potatoes for the first time, you may want to test out your desired level of sweetness. You can start with half of the recommended servings above. From there, continue to build and taste repeatedly until the dish suits your needs.
- You can omit any of the spices in this recipe, make it suit your taste.
- Watch your sweet potatoes closely. Every slow cooker will cook at varying speeds. You may need more or less time. If you cook them too long the sweet potatoes will fall apart.
- If your sauce is thin and runny you can thicken it with additional cornstarch and water. After the sweet potatoes have cooked, examine the sauce. If it isn’t thick enough start with 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1/2 tablespoon of water, combine in a bowl first and then add it to the sweet potatoes mixture. Repeat if the sauce still needs additional thickening.
Felicia
Sunday 26th of November 2023
This was so easy to make and they were so good! I doubled the recipe and it fit perfectly into my 6 qt slow cooker. Best of all it only took 1 dish and my oven was free for other things. Thanks for this easy recipe!
staysnatched
Tuesday 28th of November 2023
You're welcome!
Emily R
Saturday 15th of April 2023
So delicious and So easy! My family said I need to double the recipe next time I bring it to a family event because it was gone too quickly.
staysnatched
Saturday 15th of April 2023
That’s what I love to hear!
Hattie
Friday 25th of November 2022
Amazing, amazing! Used this recipe to open up free space in the oven and it was SO easy and tasty! I’m glad I read the tips and didn’t cook for too long, they were the perfect texture and sweetness.
staysnatched
Friday 25th of November 2022
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it!
Melissa
Thursday 24th of November 2022
Thank you for dropping this! I was going to make your regular recipe but this was a million times easier and freed up my stove. Mine were done after 3 hours. Delicious!
staysnatched
Friday 25th of November 2022
I'm glad you enjoyed them!