The Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole is a soul-warming dish that brings together creamy, velvety sweet potatoes and a rich, buttery brown sugar pecan topping. It’s a hands-off, slow-cooked side that fills the kitchen with nostalgic aromas while delivering bold flavor and perfect texture. Ideal for holiday dinners or chilly weeknights, this casserole is easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy. With just a few pantry staples and a slow cooker, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish that’s both indulgent and wholesome. Whether you’re hosting or attending a potluck, this is one recipe that always steals the spotlight.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
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½ cup brown sugar
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½ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup milk
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½ teaspoon salt
Topping:
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½ cup brown sugar
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⅓ cup all-purpose flour
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⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
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Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick spray.
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Add cubed sweet potatoes to the crockpot.
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In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, milk, and salt until well combined.
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Pour the mixture over the sweet potatoes and stir to coat evenly.
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Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
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In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, softened butter, and chopped pecans to make the topping.
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Sprinkle the topping over the sweet potatoes in the slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until the topping is set and golden.
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Serve warm and enjoy!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 6.5 hours | Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 8 servings
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Side Dish
When the cooler months roll in and the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and slow-cooked comfort food begins to fill kitchens across the country, few dishes evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia quite like sweet potato casserole. And when that beloved classic is made in a crockpot letting the sweet, spiced flavors deepen and develop slowly it becomes a game-changer in the holiday meal lineup.
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole is not just a dish it’s a celebration of tradition, convenience, and irresistible flavor. Whether you’re preparing it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy weekend dinner, this side dish is bound to be the star of the table.
A Southern Classic, Reinvented for the Slow Cooker
Sweet potato casserole has long been a staple of Southern cuisine, often making its appearance at holiday gatherings, family potlucks, and Sunday suppers. Traditionally baked in the oven and topped with marshmallows or a crunchy pecan crust, the dish balances savory and sweet in a way that few others do.
But in today’s busy world, spending hours in the kitchen isn’t always feasible. That’s where the crockpot (or slow cooker) comes in. This hands-off cooking method allows for deeper infusion of flavor, better moisture retention, and a set-it-and-forget-it simplicity that’s especially appreciated during hectic holiday preparations.
The result? A rich, creamy sweet potato base with a golden, caramelized pecan topping all cooked to perfection without turning on the oven.
Why Use a Crockpot for Sweet Potato Casserole?
While the traditional oven-baked version is undeniably delicious, using a slow cooker offers a number of practical and culinary benefits:
1. Time-Saving Convenience
You can prep everything in advance and let the crockpot handle the heavy lifting. No babysitting required, no juggling oven space with other dishes. It’s the perfect side for multitasking hosts or busy holiday cooks.
2. Enhanced Flavor Depth
Slow cooking helps sweet potatoes absorb the sweet, spiced liquid and butter mixture more thoroughly. The natural sugars in the sweet potatoes have more time to develop, resulting in a deeper, richer flavor.
3. Moisture Retention
Sweet potatoes can easily dry out in the oven if overcooked. In a crockpot, the sealed environment ensures that the dish remains lusciously moist and creamy throughout.
4. Space Saver
During big holiday meals, oven space is premium real estate. Using a crockpot frees up your oven for roasts, pies, and other dishes that require baking.
The Secret Behind Its Addictive Flavor
The beauty of this crockpot sweet potato casserole lies in the harmony of its ingredients and texture. The sweet potatoes themselves bring a soft, naturally sweet base that pairs perfectly with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
The buttery brown sugar-pecan topping provides contrast adding crunch, sweetness, and a nutty richness that makes each bite deeply satisfying. Some might even argue that the topping is the real star of the show!
The addition of eggs, vanilla, and milk in the mash gives the casserole a soufflé-like consistency, making it fluffier and more custard-like than the dense, mashed version many are used to. It’s indulgent, yes but not overly sweet, maintaining a balance that appeals to both sweet tooths and savory lovers alike.
When and How to Serve
While Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole is most commonly associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s versatile enough for year-round enjoyment. It’s the perfect addition to any autumn-themed menu, Sunday dinner, or special gathering.
Here are a few occasions where this dish truly shines:
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Thanksgiving Dinner: A must-have side dish that complements turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
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Christmas Celebrations: Its sweet and spiced flavors add a festive touch to any holiday table.
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Potlucks and Friendsgiving: Easy to transport and reheat in the crockpot, making it potluck-perfect.
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Weeknight Comfort Meals: Pair it with roasted chicken or pork for a hearty, comforting dinner.
Serving it is just as easy. Spoon it directly from the crockpot to plates, or transfer it to a beautiful casserole dish for presentation. It holds its shape well and stays warm longer when served in the slow cooker, making it ideal for buffet-style dinners.
Make-Ahead Tips and Storage
One of the biggest perks of this recipe is how well it can be made ahead. You can prep the entire dish the night before and store it in the refrigerator in the crockpot insert. The next day, simply place it back in the cooker and start the slow-cooking process.
Storage Tips:
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Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Reheating: Reheat gently in the crockpot on low, or microwave individual portions.
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Freezing: While it’s possible to freeze, the texture may become slightly watery upon thawing. For best results, freeze the base and add the topping fresh when ready to serve.
Variations and Dietary Considerations
Sweet Potato Casserole is already vegetarian, making it a great option for meatless meals or guests with dietary restrictions. However, with a few tweaks, it can suit nearly any diet:
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Vegan Option: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, dairy butter with vegan butter, and use non-dairy milk such as almond or oat milk.
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Gluten-Free: Ensure the flour in the topping is a certified gluten-free flour blend.
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Nut-Free: Omit pecans or substitute with rolled oats and seeds for a crunchy topping alternative.
Looking to get creative? Try adding orange zest, maple syrup, or a dash of bourbon for a unique twist.
Nutritional Notes
While indulgent, this dish offers some health benefits thanks to its main ingredient sweet potatoes. These vibrant root vegetables are rich in:
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Vitamin A (beta-carotene)
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Vitamin C
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Fiber
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Potassium
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Antioxidants
When prepared with moderation in sugar and butter, this casserole can be a nutrient-rich side dish that still satisfies your craving for comfort food.
Conclusion:
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole is everything a holiday side should be: comforting, flavorful, easy to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck or serving it at your own festive table, it’s the kind of dish that people will ask about and ask for seconds of.
Its rich, creamy base and crunchy pecan topping make every bite memorable. Plus, the use of a crockpot allows you to enjoy more time with loved ones and less time fussing in the kitchen.