Crock Pot Candied Yams
These Crock Pot Candied Yams are made with sweet potatoes, brown sugar, spices, marshmallows and make the perfect side to your holiday meal! No oven required!
A CROCK POT CANDIED YAMS RECIPE
This Crock Pot Candied Yams has to be one of my favorite ways to make sweet potatoes. It’s more of a dessert than a side dish to be honest but it is a required dish for any holiday meal. The best part, it is SO easy, and you let the crock pot do most of the work for you!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I really enjoy the marshmallows in this recipe as we have them both mixed into the sweet potatoes and on top. If you do not want to use them, you can leave them out. You can also top this casserole with pecans, or just leave it plain.
No, this is optional. If you own a kitchen torch you can also use that to brown the tops of the marshmallows.
Yes. You can mash the potatoes once tender while still in the slow cooker then add the marshmallows.
You can make it earlier in the day and leave it on the warm setting for up to 2 hours. I do not recommend leaving it on for any longer than that.
No, these do not have to be pre-baked or parboiled. They can go into your crock pot raw.
In America, we use the name interchangeably. They are actually two different types of vegetables. Enslaved Africans used the word “yam” to describe sweet potatoes because it was similar to the yams they were familiar with from home and the word stuck. It’s actually not that easy to find a true yam in most American grocery stores.
These can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen. Place in a freezer container for up to 3 months. To defrost, remove to the refrigerator overnight until thawed. Reheat in the microwave.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- sweet potatoes
- salted butter
- light brown sugar
- maple syrup
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- vanilla extract
- mini marshmallows
HOW TO MAKE A CROCK POT CANDIED YAMS:
Place the diced sweet potatoes in a large bowl, and set aside.
In a small saucepan, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Place over medium-low heat and continue to whisk until the butter and sugar are dissolved and smooth.
Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Pour this mixture over the potatoes and stir to combine.
Spray the body of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour in the potato mixture.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so to prevent burning. Cook until potatoes are softened, and the liquid is thickened.
Add half of the marshmallows and stir them in.
Add the remaining marshmallows on top.
You can let them melt by placing the cover back on for a few minutes, or you can broil them until browned and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
CRAVING MORE?
Crock Pot Candied Yams
Ingredients
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled, 1/2 inch diced
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Place the diced sweet potatoes in a large bowl, and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Place over medium-low heat and continue to whisk until the butter and sugar are dissolved and smooth.
- Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour this mixture over the potatoes and stir to combine.
- Spray the body of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour in the potato mixture.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so to prevent burning. Cook until potatoes are softened, and the liquid is thickened.
- Add half of the marshmallows and stir them in.
- Add the remaining marshmallows on top.
- You can let them melt by placing the cover back on for a few minutes, or you can broil them until browned and serve immediately.
Notes
- The marshmallows are a great addition but can be left out.
- This can be made smoother, see above on how to do that.
- You do not need to precook the potatoes before adding to the crock pot.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
usually my mother is n charge of bringing the candied yams for Thanksgiving. However, after finding this recipe, I asked if I could make and bring them. They were an absolute hit. EVERYONE (including my mom) said they were the best they’ve ever had. Needless to say, I’m now the one in charge of bringing the candied yam dish to every Thanksgiving. Not only that but both my children (who never liked them in the past) said they were so delicious. Absolutely, an amazing recipe, I’m very glad to have found it!! Thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful comment! I am so honored you gave my recipe a try and everyone loved it! You are so very sweet to come back and leave a comment!!
Absolutely fabulous!! I saved oven space and everyone raved over how good these were. I probably shared your recipe with at least 10 people because they loved it so much – thank you for making these the highlight of my Thanksgiving!!
This recipe is delicious. I have always used canned yams and stuck them in the oven but this year we are short on oven space. I’m so glad I found your recipe for the crockpot, using fresh sweet potatoes. It is simple and easy to follow. I always try a new recipe out on my husband and adult son before I serve it to a crowd. They loved it, of course I halved the recipe. Now I am ready for Thanksgiving! Thank you!
Can I use canned yams?!
Unfortunately they would more than likely turn to mush. You could try but it might end up more like a wet casserole