If you're here for holiday dinner convenience and I've gotchu! Let me show you how to make the best crockpot candied yams from scratch, classic Soul Food style, in your slow cooker instead of on the stove.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my savory melting sweet potatoes, too!
Jump to:
- What's the difference between candied yams vs sweet potatoes?
- What do candy yams taste like?
- ❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
- What You'll Need for this Recipe
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Candied Yams in Crock Pot
- Pro Tip #1
- Pro Tip #2
- Frequently Asked Questions
- When to serve crockpot candied sweet potatoes?
- More Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
What's the difference between candied yams vs sweet potatoes?
Candied yams and sweet potatoes are used interchangeably in southern and, specifically, Black American cuisines.
This is because North American sweet potatoes were called "yams" by our ancestors after coming to this land because they are starchy tubers that reminded them of the West African yams of their homeland.
Yam also came into wide use in American history as a short of the Fulani word nyami, which means to eat.
What do candy yams taste like?
I made traditional stove top candied sweet potatoes for years before pivoting to this slow cooker method. The result is candied yams like my southern Black grandma used to make.
You'll taste earthiness and subtle natural sweetness from the sweet potatoes that's amplified by rich caramelized molasses-y sweetness from brown sugar and melted butter. Vanilla and sweet warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg round out the flavor profile.
If you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my soul food sweet potato pie, praline sweet potatoes, and my bourbon sweet potato casserole. Check out my layered sweet potato pecan pie, too!
Featured Reader Review
★★★★★
"O.M.G.! The amount of NO HASSLE + depth of FLAVOR cannot be overstated! Not having to boil the sweet potatoes and constantly check, re-check and strain, etc. This recipe was so good, and the entire family loved them."
-Dom
❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Saves Stove Top and Oven Space - So, why make sweet potatoes in a crock pot? Unlike other slow cooker recipes I've shared, this is not a set-it-and-forget-it recipe. You have to tend to these almost as much as traditionally-made sweet potatoes. The main reason I make my candied sweet potatoes (aka yams) in the slow cooker sometimes is in order to free up stove top space.
Easy Serving - Making candy yams in the slow cooker is also great because they keep warm afterwards. Slide the slow cooker straight into your Thanksgiving serving line. You don't even have to take them out of the crock pot!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
The ingredients are simple. Here's what to add to your grocery list, including which kind of sweet potatoes to use for candied yams.
Sweet Potatoes are the core ingredient. Jewel and Garnet varieties will be your best bet for making flavorful, tender yams for Thanksgiving.
Vanilla Extract and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg plus sea salt round out the flavor. Use the best quality you can get.
Butter combines with the brown sugar to make a rich syrupy glaze. For the best results, use unsalted butter then add sea salt to taste.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Brown Sugar for the sweet syrupy goodness. Either light or dark brown sugar will work well. You can also use a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar for less of a molasses flavor in the end result or all granulated if you have no brown sugar.
Other Sweet Potatoes - Can I make candied purple sweet potatoes? Yes, you technically can. Though, I recommend adjusting the other ingredients as purple sweet potatoes are not as naturally sweet and they tend to be drier, when compared to orange or red sweet potatoes.
Dairy Free - Make this recipe without dairy by using a vegan butter substitute.
Garnishes - Top off your crockpot yams with pecans or marshmallows for a festive finishing touch!
How to Make Candied Yams in Crock Pot
Whether on the stove top or in a slow cooker, the steps are simple. Prep your sweet potatoes, add them to the pot then top with butter and a mixture of brown sugar and spices.
- Step One: Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks then add to crock of slow cooker.
- Step Two: Toss sweet potatoes with brown sugar, vanilla, and spices until evenly coated then add pads of butter over top. This will all melt down into a sweet syrup that candies the sweet potatoes.
Pro Tip #1
What's the best way to cut yams for candying? While there isn't a definitive best way, I prefer to cut my sweet potatoes into chunks. Slicing into discs is another popular method that I've tried and like just fine. For thorough cooking, cut pieces no larger than about 2 ½ inches thick.
- Step Three: Cover and cook the sweet potatoes, turning about every 30 minutes for even cooking.
- Step Four: Once you have a pot of tender orange jewels, serve them warm with the drippings poured over top.
Pro Tip #2
Spoon the buttery sweet potato syrup from the bottom of the crock and over the yam each time you mix so that they soak up all the flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions
The syrup needs time to cook and thicken into that sugary sweet potato coating we all know and love. When your syrup is too thin, the solution is often to cook it for longer. And the good news is that using a slow cooker provides ample time!
Store cooked candied sweet potatoes in an airtight food container and refrigerate. They will last in the fridge up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.
Freezing candied yams after Thanksgiving is simple. Just transfer the yams and syrup to a freezer safe bag or food container and seal, removing as much excess air as possible. Place them in the freezer for up to six months.
Thaw your frozen holiday sweet potatoes in the fridge overnight. Note that the texture will likely be softer than before you froze them.
Yes! Because the first professional cooks in our country were Black, African American foodways became known more generally as southern food. So there tends to be debate. Either way, candied sweet potatoes are a distinct part of Black American cuisine canon, also known as Soul Food.
When to serve crockpot candied sweet potatoes?
Serve slow cooker candied sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Friendsgiving next to the carved Cajun turkey breast and holiday cranberry sauce! You can also enjoy them at Sunday dinners, cookouts, and other gatherings.
Pair slow cooked sweet potatoes with baked macaroni & cheese, southern collard greens and seafood dressing. And don't forget the sweet tea pound cake for dessert.
Check out my full Soul Food Thanksgiving lineup to build your menu with my family's favorite African American recipes!
More Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes
Looking for more recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy this simple crockpot candied yams soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin the recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Southern-Style Crockpot Candied Yams
Equipment
- 1 vegetable peeler or paring knife
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 5 pounds sweet potatoes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup butter
Instructions
- Scrub and peel sweet potatoes. Cut them into chunks about 2-inches in size and place into a large bowl.
- Mix brown sugar, sea salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl then pour over top of sweet potatoes. Toss sweet potatoes in spice and sugar mixture and vanilla extract until evenly coated.
- Cut butter into one-inch chunks. Place half the sweet potato pieces into the slow cooker crock then top with half the butter. Repeat this layering with remaining sweet potatoes and butter.
- Cook sweet potatoes for up to four hours on high or six hours on low. Turn the sweet potatoes every 30 minutes or so and scoop the syrup from the bottom of the crock to the top to ensure they candy evenly. Check for doneness at each turn.
- Sweet potatoes are done when fork tender and glossy from the brown sugar syrup.
Dom says
O.M.G.! The amount of NO HASSLE + depth of FLAVOR cannot be overstated! Not having to boil sweet potatoes and constantly check, re-check and strain, etc. This recipe was so good, and the entire family loved them.
Jazzmine Woodard says
Thanks, Dom! Glad y'all enjoyed this one.
allan blankstrom says
What is the cooking time and is it on low or high using a slow cooker ( crock pot”?
Jazzmine Woodard says
Hi, Allan--sorry I missed your comment while I was away! The cooking time is four hours on high or six hours on low. This information is included in the recipe card instructions of the post.
Krysten says
These crockpot candied sweet potatoes were a hit at Thanksgiving! The slow-cooking process infused the sweet potatoes with a rich, caramelized flavor, and the result was a perfect blend of sweetness and tenderness. I'm definitely making it again for both Christmas and our Sunday dinners!
Marcus Avery Christon says
I can't get over how easy this recipe is! I found a new way to quickly make tasty candied yams for the holiday and get more social time back with my loved ones.
Marta says
I've never thought to make candied sweet potatoes in the slow cooker and now I don't think I'll make them any other way. They taste amazing with the comforting spices, but also frees up the stove so I can cook without being crowded.