The Best Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping (Easy Slow Cooker Recipe)
Prepare to elevate your holiday table with this incredibly delicious and effortlessly easy Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole. This isn’t just any side dish; it’s a cherished family tradition, a true staple at our Thanksgiving feast every single year. Imagine perfectly cooked sweet potatoes, mashed to a creamy perfection, infused with warming spices, and crowned with a delightful, crunchy pecan topping. The best part? Your slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, freeing up precious oven space for your other holiday favorites. Whether you’re a seasoned holiday host or looking for a new tradition, this recipe promises comfort, flavor, and a touch of sweetness that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart, primarily because of the incredible array of delicious food we get to share. While the star of the show is often the main course, for me, the side dishes truly complete the experience. My ideal holiday plate always includes a slice of juicy roast turkey, a generous scoop of creamy 4 cheese mac and cheese, and, of course, a small but mighty serving of this sweet and savory crockpot sweet potato casserole. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures that makes every bite memorable.
Why You’ll Adore This Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
- Nutritious and Budget-Friendly: Sweet potatoes are not only packed with vitamins and fiber, but they’re also a remarkably inexpensive ingredient, especially when bought in season. This makes for a wholesome and economical holiday side that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Rich, Sweet, and Utterly Satisfying: This dish delivers a luxurious, comforting sweetness balanced by warm spices and the savory crunch of pecans. Its richness means that even a small portion is incredibly satisfying, making it a delightful complement to your holiday spread without being overly heavy.
- The Perfect Flavor Contrast: When you combine a spoonful of this sweet potato casserole with other savory Thanksgiving staples, such as turkey or green bean casserole, it creates an exquisite balance. The sweet, creamy notes beautifully cut through the richer, saltier dishes, enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Effortless Preparation: One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity. Forget about juggling oven temperatures or constant monitoring. Just prep your ingredients, toss them into the crockpot, and let your slow cooker work its magic. It’s a truly hands-off approach that allows you more time to enjoy your guests and other holiday preparations.
- Frees Up Oven Space: During the busy holiday season, oven space is a premium commodity. Utilizing your crockpot for this sweet potato casserole means one less dish competing for oven time, allowing you to perfectly roast your turkey or bake other casseroles without stress.
- Keeps Warm Beautifully: The slow cooker is perfect for keeping your casserole warm and ready to serve for hours without drying it out or overcooking it. This is ideal for holiday gatherings where dinner might be served at different times or for guests arriving throughout the day.
Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfection
While the recipe is straightforward, paying attention to your ingredients can make all the difference in achieving that perfect, memorable sweet potato casserole.
Sweet Potatoes – For this recipe, any variety of sweet potato will work wonderfully. Look for firm, unblemished sweet potatoes that feel heavy for their size. Popular choices include Garnet, Jewel, or Beauregard varieties, all known for their vibrant orange flesh and sweet flavor. Peeling them is essential for that smooth, creamy texture in your casserole. Dicing them into uniform 1-inch cubes ensures even cooking in the slow cooker.
Pecans – The pecan topping is a non-negotiable for us, adding a fantastic nutty crunch. Make sure to purchase regular, unsalted pecans, not candied pecans. If you have time, lightly toasting your pecans in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the topping mixture can deepen their flavor, giving your casserole an extra layer of deliciousness.
Butter – We recommend using unsalted butter to better control the overall sodium content of your dish. Melted butter is crucial for both the sweet potato mixture and the pecan topping, ensuring everything blends smoothly and bakes beautifully.
Brown Sugar & Honey – The combination of light brown sugar and honey provides a balanced sweetness and a lovely depth of flavor. If you prefer a richer, more molasses-like flavor, you can use dark brown sugar. For honey, any liquid honey will do; local honey often offers a unique flavor profile.
Spices – Ground cinnamon and nutmeg are the classic warming spices that elevate sweet potato dishes. Ensure your spices are fresh for the best flavor impact. Freshly grated nutmeg, if you have it, will provide an unparalleled aroma and taste.
Eggs – The eggs act as a binder and contribute significantly to the smooth, creamy texture of the mashed sweet potatoes. They also add richness, making the casserole truly decadent.
Water – A small amount of water helps create steam in the slow cooker, ensuring the sweet potatoes cook down perfectly and become fork-tender without drying out.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Making this incredible sweet potato casserole in your crockpot is surprisingly simple. Just follow these easy steps for a foolproof holiday side dish.
- Prepare Your Slow Cooker: Begin by coating the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray. This crucial step prevents the sweet potatoes from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Combine the Sweet Potato Mixture: Take your sweet potatoes, which should be peeled and diced into uniform 1-inch cubes. Place them directly into the prepared slow cooker. Add the brown sugar, honey, water, melted butter, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients thoroughly until the sweet potato cubes are evenly coated with the sweet, spiced mixture.
- First Cook Cycle: Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for approximately 3 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the size of your sweet potato cubes. You’ll know they’re ready when they are incredibly soft and fork-tender, easily pierced with a fork.
- Mash and Incorporate Eggs: Carefully uncover the pot and allow the sweet potatoes to cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes. This cooling period is important because adding eggs to very hot potatoes can cause them to scramble. Once slightly cooled, add the whisked eggs. Use a potato masher to thoroughly mash the sweet potatoes directly in the slow cooker, incorporating the eggs until the mixture is smooth and creamy. A few small lumps are perfectly fine for added texture, but aim for a generally uniform consistency.
- Prepare and Add the Topping: In a separate small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the brown sugar pecan topping: pecans (whole or chopped), light brown sugar, flour, and melted unsalted butter. Mix these ingredients together until they form a crumbly, well-combined mixture. Evenly spread this delicious pecan topping over the mashed sweet potatoes in the slow cooker.
- Final Cook Cycle: Cover the slow cooker once more and continue to cook on high for an additional 2 hours. During this final cooking phase, the topping will toast and become wonderfully crunchy, and the flavors of the casserole will meld together beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooking is complete, your crockpot sweet potato casserole is ready to be served warm. Ladle generous portions onto plates and savor every sweet, spiced, and crunchy bite.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Sweet Potato Casserole
- Scaling Up for a Crowd: Holidays often mean feeding a large gathering. If you’re cooking for more than 12 people, don’t hesitate to double or even triple the recipe. You might need to use a larger slow cooker (e.g., an 8-quart or two 6-quart slow cookers) or cook in batches to ensure everything cooks evenly. Adjust cooking times slightly as needed; larger quantities might require a bit more time.
- Topping Variations: While the pecan topping is a beloved classic, feel free to customize!
- Walnuts: Not a fan of pecans? Chopped walnuts make an excellent substitute, offering a similar nutty flavor and crunch.
- Marshmallows: For a more traditional marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, you can omit the brown sugar pecan topping entirely. Instead, during the last 30 minutes of cooking, spread a layer of mini marshmallows over the mashed sweet potatoes. Cover and let them melt and puff up. For a beautifully golden-brown top, you can briefly place the slow cooker insert (if oven-safe) under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Streusel Topping: If you love a buttery, crumbly top but want to skip the nuts, create a simple streusel with flour, brown sugar, cold butter, and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Preventing Scrambled Eggs: This is a crucial tip! Always allow the sweet potatoes to cool slightly (about 10-15 minutes) after the initial cooking phase before you add the whisked eggs. Introducing eggs to intensely hot potatoes can cause them to cook too quickly and curdle, resulting in an undesirable texture. A gentle cooling ensures the eggs blend smoothly and contribute to the creamy consistency we’re aiming for.
- Make Ahead Option: To simplify your holiday cooking, you can prepare the mashed sweet potato mixture (without the eggs) a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. On the day of serving, gently reheat the mixture in the slow cooker on low, then incorporate the whisked eggs, add the topping, and continue with the remaining cooking steps.
- Achieving Creamy Texture: For the smoothest casserole, ensure your sweet potatoes are thoroughly fork-tender before mashing. A good potato masher will yield a lovely, rustic texture, but for an ultra-smooth consistency, you could use an electric hand mixer or even pass the cooked potatoes through a food mill or ricer before returning them to the slow cooker and adding the eggs.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftover sweet potato casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for individual servings, or for larger quantities, warm it gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through. You can also use the slow cooker on a low setting for gradual reheating.
Are Yams And Sweet Potatoes The Same Thing?
This is a common question, and the answer, especially in American culinary contexts, can be a bit confusing! In the United States, what are often labeled as “yams” in grocery stores are actually a specific type of sweet potato, typically those with moister, orange flesh. True yams, which are native to Africa and Asia, are a completely different botanical species. They have a rougher, darker skin and a starchier, drier texture, resembling a white potato or cassava. So, when you see “yams” in an American supermarket, you’re almost certainly looking at a sweet potato! These are perfect for this casserole, and they’re also what I use in my incredibly popular holiday recipe for candied yams.
Why Does Sweet Potato Casserole Need Eggs?
Eggs play a vital role in achieving the desired texture and richness of sweet potato casserole. They act as a natural binding agent, holding the mashed sweet potatoes together so the casserole doesn’t fall apart. More importantly, eggs contribute significantly to the overall smoothness and creaminess of the dish, giving it a custardy, almost soufflé-like consistency when baked. Without eggs, the casserole would be looser, less cohesive, and might not have the same luxurious mouthfeel. I wholeheartedly recommend including them for the best possible result!
More Holiday Recipes You Might Enjoy
No holiday meal is complete without a full spread! Here are some other cherished recipes that perfectly complement this sweet potato casserole and will make your holiday feast truly spectacular:
- Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes – If you’re looking for a quick alternative to mashed sweet potatoes without the casserole topping, this recipe cooks up in under 20 minutes, making it incredibly convenient for busy days.
- Green Bean Casserole – An absolute American classic, this creamy and savory green bean casserole with crispy fried onions is a delicious and essential addition to any Thanksgiving table.
- Maple Sausage Stuffing – Forget dry, bland stuffing! This recipe boasts the most flavorful stuffing ever, with savory sausage and a hint of sweet maple that will impress everyone.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes – A timeless favorite, these perfectly smooth and rich mashed potatoes are a must-have at every Thanksgiving table, offering a comforting and delicious counterpoint to all the other flavors.
We hope you love this Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole as much as we do! It’s a dish that brings warmth, comfort, and deliciousness to any holiday gathering. Give it a try this season and watch it become a new family favorite.
Tried this delightful recipe? Please consider leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a thoughtful review in the comments section further down the page. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps other home cooks discover wonderful dishes! And for more delicious recipes and culinary inspiration, remember to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
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Equipment
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Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup water
- nonstick spray
Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
- 1 cup pecans , whole or chopped
- 2/3 cups light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter , melted
Instructions
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Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray.
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Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes and place them into the slow cooker. Along with the brown sugar, honey, water, melted butter, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
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Cook on high for 3 hours or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
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Uncover the pot and let the potatoes cool slightly. Add the eggs and use a potato masher to mash the potatoes.
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In a small bowl, mix all of the topping ingredients and then cover the mashed sweet potatoes with the mixture. Cover and cook for 2 hours on high.
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Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- I used a 6 qt crockpot.
- If cooking for a large crowd, double or triple the recipe.
- Not a fan of pecans? Feel free to use walnuts instead. You can also use mini marshmallows and omit the brown sugar pecan topping.
- Make sure to let the sweet potatoes cool slightly before adding the eggs, so it doesn’t scramble.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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