Irresistible Slow Cooker Glazed Sweet Potatoes: Your Perfect Holiday Side Dish
This incredibly sweet and effortlessly easy recipe for Crock Pot Glazed Sweet Potatoes stands out as the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish, though it’s delightful enough for any special occasion or even a comforting weeknight meal. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to prepare this hands-off dish using just 6 basic ingredients. Not only is it a breeze to make, but it’s also a fantastic vegetarian and gluten-free option, making it a crowd-pleaser for the entire family. Its set-it-and-forget-it nature is a game-changer, especially when your oven is at capacity with other holiday staples.
After witnessing the immense popularity of my Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots recipe on the site, I knew I had to create a sweet potato version. And let me tell you, I am absolutely thrilled with the result! This recipe takes all the best elements of the original – the same fantastic ingredients and minimal prep – and applies them to tender, nutrient-rich sweet potatoes, yielding an even more decadent side dish.
The star of this dish is undoubtedly the luscious sweet maple and brown sugar glaze. When generously drizzled on top of tender, melt-in-your-mouth sweet potatoes, it creates a flavor symphony that’s utterly irresistible. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweetness, warmth, and a hint of spice, making it a true comfort food masterpiece. I’m confident that once you try these glazed sweet potatoes, you’ll find yourself just as obsessed as I am.
What makes this recipe truly brilliant is its inherent simplicity. You can effortlessly assemble it with just a handful of ingredients, then let your slow cooker work its magic, transforming humble sweet potatoes into a holiday-worthy masterpiece. This “fix it and forget it” approach is particularly valuable for holidays and large gatherings, as it cleverly frees up crucial oven space for roasting larger dishes, like your prized turkey, savory ham, or a classic casserole. Imagine the relief of having one less dish vying for oven time during those busy cooking moments!
These Crock Pot Glazed Sweet Potatoes have quickly become a beloved family tradition in our home, eagerly anticipated year after year. We adore their comforting flavors and stress-free preparation, and I genuinely hope they bring as much joy and deliciousness to your table as they have to ours.
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Slow Cooker Side Dish:
- Effortless Preparation with Minimal Ingredients: You only need just 6 simple ingredients to create this incredible side dish. This means less shopping, less prep, and less stress in the kitchen, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and elaborate holiday feasts.
- Frees Up Precious Oven Space: On bustling holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, oven real estate is a hot commodity. This slow cooker recipe allows you to prepare a delicious and impressive side dish without occupying your main oven, giving you more flexibility and reducing kitchen chaos.
- Warm, Comforting, and Irresistible Flavors: The combination of sweet potatoes, maple, brown sugar, and cinnamon creates warm and comforting flavors that are absolutely perfect for Fall and Winter meals. It’s the quintessential cozy comfort food that will have everyone reaching for seconds, filling your home with an inviting aroma.
- Satisfies Your Sweet Tooth Without Being Over-the-Top: Who needs an extra dessert when your side dish is this good? This sweet glazed sweet potato recipe not only delights your palate but also provides the nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes. It’s a smart way to enjoy a sweet treat while still serving up a wholesome, nutrient-dense vegetable.
- Adaptable and Family-Friendly: This recipe is incredibly versatile. It’s naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, catering to a wider range of dietary needs. Plus, the universally appealing sweet and savory flavor profile makes it a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Essential Ingredients for Your Glazed Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of our show! Choose fresh, firm sweet potatoes that are free from any soft spots, wrinkling, or pitting. For this recipe, approximately 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes (about 2.5 pounds) will yield a family-sized batch. However, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and easy to double or triple if you’re feeding a larger crowd. Look for vibrant orange-fleshed varieties for the best color and flavor.
- Brown Sugar: This provides a deep, rich sweetness that complements the earthy notes of the sweet potatoes. It also plays a crucial role in creating a slightly thicker, caramelized glaze that clings beautifully to each slice. The molasses in brown sugar adds a unique depth of flavor that granulated sugar simply can’t match.
- Maple Syrup: This ingredient truly elevates the dish from good to exceptional! Using real maple syrup (preferably Grade A dark, robust taste) introduces a distinct, natural sweetness and complex flavor profile that artificial syrups cannot replicate. If genuine maple syrup isn’t available, you can use a good quality substitution, or increase the brown sugar for added sweetness.
- Cinnamon: A classic spice that instantly adds a warm, inviting, and comforting element. Cinnamon’s aromatic notes are perfectly suited for Fall and Winter months, enhancing the overall cozy appeal of the dish and pairing exquisitely with sweet potatoes and maple.
- Butter: Butter is essential for adding a luxurious richness and a silky texture to our glaze. As it melts, it emulsifies with the maple syrup and brown sugar, creating a glossy, irresistible coating for the sweet potatoes. You can use salted or unsalted butter; just adjust the added salt accordingly.
- Salt: A small amount of salt is vital to balance the sweetness of this dish. It acts as a flavor enhancer, preventing the dish from tasting overly saccharine and bringing out the natural deliciousness of the sweet potatoes and the other ingredients.
- Optional Additions: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, consider adding a dash of nutmeg, a splash of vanilla extract (especially good with maple!), or a handful of toasted pecans during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a delightful crunch.
Recommended Equipment:
- Slow Cooker: I highly recommend a 6-quart programmable slow cooker. This size is wonderfully versatile, offering ample capacity for a wide array of recipes, from hearty soups and stews to substantial roasts, and, of course, these fantastic glazed sweet potatoes. Its “set-it-and-forget-it” functionality is invaluable for busy cooks.
How to Prepare Glazed Sweet Potatoes in a Slow Cooker
This recipe is remarkably simple to execute, making it an absolute winner for an easy slow cooker side dish, particularly during demanding holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. While the base recipe serves a regular family, it’s incredibly flexible. You can easily double or even triple the ingredients to accommodate a larger gathering, ensuring everyone gets to enjoy this delightful dish.
Prepping and Adding the Sweet Potatoes
Begin by thoroughly washing and peeling your sweet potatoes. Once peeled, slice them into uniform ⅓ to ½-inch thick rounds. Consistency in thickness is key here, as it ensures all the sweet potato slices cook evenly. Thicker rounds will naturally require a longer cooking time to become tender, while thinner slices will cook more quickly. Aim for a thickness that allows them to soften without becoming mushy.
Layering the Glaze Ingredients
Next, arrange the sliced sweet potatoes evenly at the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Then, generously sprinkle in the salt, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar over the sweet potato slices. Following this, pour in the real maple syrup. Gently stir with a silicone spatula to distribute these glaze ingredients as best as you can over the potatoes. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even at this stage; as the sweet potatoes begin to cook and release moisture, the glaze will become more liquid and easier to stir and coat thoroughly if needed.
Finally, dot the sweet potato slices with small squares or cubes of butter. Evenly spacing these butter pieces will help them melt and distribute throughout the dish, adding richness and flavor. Once all ingredients are in, securely place the lid on your crock pot.
Achieving Perfect Tenderness: Cooking Time
Set your slow cooker to cook the sweet potatoes on “high” for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or on “low” for 5 to 6 hours. The exact cooking time can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the thickness of your sweet potato slices. The sweet potatoes are perfectly done when they are easily pierced with a fork, indicating they are fork-tender but not mushy. If possible, give them a gentle stir once or twice during cooking to ensure even coating and prevent any sticking.
Perfecting the Glaze: Thickening the Brown Sugar and Maple Syrup
Once your sweet potatoes are tender, you’ll likely have a deliciously flavored but thin liquid in the slow cooker. To achieve that perfect, glossy, thick glaze, you have two methods:
Method 1: The Saucepans Method (Recommended for Best Results)
Gently transfer the cooked sweet potato slices to a large serving bowl and cover them with a plate or foil to keep them warm. Carefully pour the remaining liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat. Whisk continuously, allowing the glaze to reduce and thicken. This process typically takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount of liquid. You’ll notice it coats the back of a spoon when ready. This method offers the most control and yields the best, most consistent glaze.
Method 2: Slow Cooker Reduction Method
If you prefer to keep everything in the slow cooker, remove the lid for the final 30 to 60 minutes of cooking (or after the potatoes are tender) and switch the setting to “high.” Allow the glaze to simmer and reduce in the open slow cooker until it reaches your desired thickness. While this method is convenient, it offers less control and may not produce as thick or glossy a glaze as the saucepan method.
Of the two methods to thicken the glaze, the saucepan method consistently works the best, giving you a beautiful, rich, and perfectly textured glaze that truly elevates the dish.
Savory Substitutions and Dietary Adaptations
This recipe is quite versatile and can be easily adapted to suit various preferences or dietary needs:
Maple Syrup Alternatives: If authentic maple syrup is unavailable or you’re looking for other options, you can successfully substitute it with honey for a slightly different floral sweetness, corn syrup for a neutral sweetness and similar texture, or even your favorite pancake syrup. Another excellent option is to increase the packed brown sugar to ¾ cup and simply omit the maple syrup entirely, which will still yield a wonderfully sweet and glazed potato.
Sweet Potato Swaps: While sweet potatoes are fantastic here, you can absolutely make this recipe with other root vegetables. Baby carrots work beautifully (check out my original Maple Glazed Carrots recipe for guidance). You could also experiment with parsnips or even a mix of root vegetables for a diverse side dish.
Dairy-Free Version: To make this dish dairy-free, simply replace the butter with a high-quality butter-flavored coconut oil or your preferred dairy-free butter spread. These alternatives will still provide the necessary fat and richness for a luscious glaze.
Refined Sugar-Free Options: For a refined sugar-free approach, you have several delicious choices: substitute the brown sugar with ¼ cup of coconut sugar, use 3 tablespoons of honey, or increase the real maple syrup to a total of ¾ cup. Each option will impart a unique natural sweetness while keeping the dish refined sugar-free.
Expert Tips for Success with Your Glazed Sweet Potatoes
- Slice Thickness Matters: The thickness of your sweet potato slices directly impacts cooking time and final texture. For quicker cooking, aim for thinner slices (around ⅓ inch). If you prefer them to cook more slowly, or want them to hold their shape exceptionally well, cut them on the thicker side, even up to 1 inch for extended cooking times. Just remember to ensure uniform slices for even cooking.
- Scaling for a Crowd: This recipe as written yields a generous family-sized batch, perfect for about 8 servings. If you’re preparing this for a large holiday gathering like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, you will definitely want to double or even triple the recipe. When increasing the batch size, ensure your slow cooker is large enough (a 7- or 8-quart slow cooker might be necessary for a triple batch). You may also need to slightly extend the cooking time and stir more frequently to ensure all potatoes are evenly cooked and coated.
- Don’t Skip Glaze Thickening: While the sweet potatoes will be delicious straight out of the slow cooker, thickening the glaze is an additional, yet highly recommended, step. This simple extra effort transforms the liquid into a rich, glossy, and beautifully sticky coating that truly makes the sweet potatoes shine. For the best, most consistent results, I strongly advocate for simmering the liquid in a saucepan as outlined in Method 1.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftover glazed sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or orange juice if the glaze has become too thick.
- Serving Suggestions: These glazed sweet potatoes are versatile! While they’re a holiday favorite, they also pair wonderfully with roasted chicken, pork loin, or even a simple weeknight steak. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a few toasted pecans for an extra touch of elegance and texture.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can peel and slice the sweet potatoes a day in advance and store them in an airtight container submerged in cold water in the refrigerator. Just drain them thoroughly before adding them to the slow cooker. This little trick can save you precious time on a busy cooking day!
More Delicious Crock Pot Side Dishes
- Crock Pot Funeral Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots
- Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
- Slow Cooker Parmesan Brussel Sprouts – Easy Weeknight Recipes
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Vegetable Casserole – The Diary of a Real Housewife
Crock Pot Glazed Sweet Potatoes
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Equipment
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Slow Cooker 6 quart
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes approximately 3 medium size, peeled and sliced ⅓-½ inch thick
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- ⅓ cup butter cubed, or dairy-free alternative
Instructions
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Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into uniform ⅓-½” thick rounds. Consistent thickness ensures even cooking.
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Place the prepared sweet potato slices into the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker, arranging them in an even layer if possible.
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Sprinkle in the salt, ground cinnamon, and packed brown sugar over the sweet potato slices. Stir gently to begin combining the ingredients.
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Pour in the real maple syrup and stir again gently to evenly distribute it among the potatoes and other dry ingredients.
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Cut the butter into 6-8 small cubes and place them on top of the sweet potatoes, spacing them evenly across the surface.
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Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on “high” for 2 ½-3 hours, or on “low” for 5-6 hours. The sweet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender. For best results, stir the sweet potatoes 1-2 times during cooking to ensure even coating.
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Once the sweet potatoes are tender, carefully remove just the potatoes (leaving the liquid behind) to a serving bowl. Cover the bowl with a plate or foil to keep them warm while you prepare the glaze.
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To thicken the glaze (recommended): Transfer the liquid from the slow cooker to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, whisking frequently, until the glaze has thickened to your desired consistency (about 5-10 minutes). Alternatively, you can attempt to thicken the glaze directly in the slow cooker by removing the lid for the final 30-60 minutes of cooking on high, but the saucepan method offers better control.
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Pour the thickened glaze generously over the warm sweet potato slices. Serve immediately and enjoy this comforting holiday side dish!
Notes
Thickening the Glaze: Of the two methods to thicken the glaze, the saucepan method works the best, yielding a richer, more consistent sauce.
Larger batch: If you’re making this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or another large celebration, you can easily double or triple the batch. Just ensure to stir several times during cooking, and you also may need to lengthen the cooking time slightly. The sweet potatoes are done once they are easily pierced with a fork.
Make-Ahead Tip: Sweet potatoes can be peeled and sliced up to a day in advance and stored covered in cold water in the refrigerator. Drain thoroughly before cooking.
Nutrition
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