Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
A comforting fall side dish featuring tender sweet potatoes caramelized in a buttery, cinnamon-infused syrup with crunchy pecans, made effortlessly in a slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and chop 3 pounds of sweet potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes, keeping pieces uniform in size.
- In a medium bowl, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Stir in 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and optional 1 teaspoon orange zest. Whisk until combined and glossy.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes to the slow cooker. Pour the butter-sugar mixture over them and gently toss with a spatula or wooden spoon to coat evenly without mashing.
- Roughly chop 1 cup pecans and sprinkle on top. For extra flavor, toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes before adding.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until sweet potatoes are tender but intact and sauce is thick and syrupy. Optionally stir gently midway through cooking.
- Once cooked, check seasoning and add more salt or cinnamon if desired. Let sit uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken the syrup before serving.
Notes
Do not over-stir to keep sweet potato chunks intact. Toast pecans beforehand for extra crunch. Cooking on low heat yields better texture and flavor. Check potatoes at 4 hours to avoid mushiness. Sauce thickens if left uncovered for last 30 minutes. Vegan adaptation: use coconut oil instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (200 g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 3
Keywords: slow cooker, candied sweet potatoes, pecans, fall recipe, holiday side dish, easy recipe, comfort food