Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole is a hands-off side dish with creamy, tender sweet potatoes and a buttery, crunchy pecan topping for an easy, no-fuss holiday classic. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this casserole cooks over several hours, freeing up oven space for a turkey or other holiday recipes.
Sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving staple, and if there’s any way to free up oven space during a big holiday meal, I’m all ears, which is how this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole recipe came to be. Hands-off and simple to prep in 15 minutes, the crockpot does all the work for you, making this a super comforting and easy make-ahead version of the holiday classic.
This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole cooks the sweet potatoes low and slow until they’re soft and tender, then they’re mashed and finished with a buttery brown sugar pecan streusel topping. This casserole is a crowd-favorite whenever it’s served (not to mention a big hit with kids!). Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or bringing a side to share, this hands-off recipe is a delicious foolproof way to enjoy the classic, stress-free.
If you’re a slow-cooker potato lover like us, be sure to try a few of our other favorites. These easy Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes are always a hit, along with these decadent Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Frees up valuable oven space. Thanks to the slow cooker, this dish is made on the counter which leaves more space in the oven and on the stove during busy holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Perfectly tender sweet potatoes. The slow cooker gently steams the sweet potatoes until they’re perfectly soft and tender. They come out exactly right, each time, with minimal effort.
- Can be made largely hands-off. With a simple hands-off slow cooker method, you don’t have to do much active cooking at all — just check in to mash and add the topping. It’s as simple as it sounds.
- Make them ahead of time. A great make-ahead option since it can be kept warm in the slow cooker until ready to serve.
Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: The star ingredient, these are sweet, rich, and super tender once cooked down.
- Light Brown Sugar: For sweetness with a caramel note.
- Butter: Adds richness. Use unsalted.
- Water: Just a splash to help the potatoes steam perfectly.
- Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice: Warm spices to flavor the sweet potatoes.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a depth of flavor and brings all of the other ingredients together.
- Salt: Just a pinch, for balance.
- Pecans: Toasty and nutty for texture and flavor.
- Mini Marshmallows: An essential sweet ingredient and topping for this Thanksgiving staple.
How To Make Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
1. Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to the slow cooker.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt.
4. Pour the brown sugar mixture over the sweet potatoes and gently toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–7 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
6. Once tender, leave the sweet potatoes as-is for a chunkier casserole or use a potato masher to mash them to your desired consistency.
7. Add 1 cup of the mini marshmallows and ½ cup of the chopped pecans to the sweet potatoes. Gently stir until evenly combined. The marshmallows will begin to melt into the warm sweet potatoes.
8. Smooth the sweet potatoes into an even layer, if mashed. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup pecans over the top, followed by the remaining 1½ cups mini marshmallows.
9. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 10–15 minutes, or until the marshmallows are soft and melty.
10. Serve warm with additional pecans on top, if desired.
Expert Tips
- Cut the sweet potatoes into uniform-sized cubes. This will ensure they cook evenly.
- Check potatoes for doneness with a fork. Do this around the 6-hour mark once they’ve been cooking on low, since slow cooker cook times can vary by model.
- Finish the streusel under the broiler. If you want a crisp, caramelized topping, you can finish off the streusel under the broiler for a few minutes rather than only cooking it in the slow cooker.
- Keep the casserole on the low or warm setting. This is a great way to hold it for serving during the holidays or at parties, without drying it out.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add a handful of mini marshmallows on top. Sprinkle them right on top instead of, or in addition to, the streusel for a classic marshmallow-topped version. It’s traditional and so tasty this way.
- Stir in a splash of orange juice. Mix this, or a spoonful of maple syrup, into the mashed sweet potatoes for an extra depth of flavor. It’ll add a subtle taste without overpowering the casserole.
- Make it nut-free. Use an oat-based streusel instead of pecans or walnuts if you prefer no nuts. It’ll still have great texture.
- Make it slightly spicy. Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of bourbon to the mashed sweet potatoes for a grown-up twist.
Storage & Reheating
Store the leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° until warmed through, about 20 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals.
You can freeze any leftover casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, peeling them first helps them to cook more evenly and makes for a smoother mash.
Fresh sweet potatoes are really recommended for the best texture, but well-drained canned sweet potatoes can work in a pinch — just reduce the slow cooker time significantly since they’re already cooked.
Adding the topping during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking, then finishing briefly under the broiler helps to keep it from becoming too soft.
More Easy Thanksgiving Sides Recipes
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans divided
- 2½ cups mini marshmallows divided
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Pour the brown sugar mixture over the sweet potatoes and gently toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–7 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Once tender, leave the sweet potatoes as-is for a chunkier casserole or use a potato masher to mash them to your desired consistency.
- Add 1 cup of the mini marshmallows and ½ cup of the chopped pecans to the sweet potatoes. Gently stir until evenly combined. The marshmallows will begin to melt into the warm sweet potatoes.
- Smooth the sweet potatoes into an even layer, if mashed. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup pecans over the top, followed by the remaining 1½ cups mini marshmallows.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for another 10–15 minutes, or until the marshmallows are soft and melty.
- Serve warm with additional pecans on top, if desired.
Notes
- Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° until warmed through, about 20 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals.
- Freeze leftover casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven until hot.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into uniform-sized cubes. This will ensure they cook evenly.
- Check potatoes for doneness with a fork. Do this around the 6-hour mark once they’ve been cooking on low, since slow cooker cook times can vary by model.
- Finish the streusel under the broiler. If you want a crisp, caramelized topping, you can finish off the streusel under the broiler for a few minutes rather than only cooking it in the slow cooker.
- Keep the casserole on the low or warm setting. This is a great way to hold it for serving during the holidays or at parties, without drying it out.
