Can sweet potatoes actually get any sweeter? Absolutely they can!
Sweet potatoes make a great side dish for any occasion. But when you’re celebrating a special occasion, sometimes you want to make everything a little more special. So how do you make sweet potatoes extra special? The simple answer is to make candied sweet potatoes in the crock-pot. If you didn’t think sweet potatoes could get any sweeter or tastier, this dish will prove you wrong.
This recipe is little more than layers of sweet potatoes with a delicious glaze that’s made of maple syrup, brown sugar, citrus, and spice. It’s pretty effortless to prepare, with the crock-pot doing most of the work. The result is spiced and caramelized sweet potatoes that are overflowing with flavor. If you’re in need of an easy but elevated side dish for the holidays, a dinner party, or even just a regular weeknight meal, everyone is sure to love these crock-pot candied sweet potatoes.
Are Crock-Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
As the name “candied sweet potatoes” implies, there is a lot of sugar in this recipe. That’s part of the reason why this dish should be saved for special occasions when people aren’t as strict about following their diet. On the bright side, sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, beta-carotene, potassium, and other nutrients.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes Evenly In A Crock-Pot
One of the keys to cooking candied sweet potatoes in the crock-pot is ensuring everything is cut and mixed evenly. For starters, ensure the syrupy mixture is stirred thoroughly. Also, it’s a good idea to cut the sweet potato into equal slices so that they cook at the same rate. Then create equal layers of potatoes and glaze in the crock-pot to ensure everything cooks evenly and the flavors are well distributed. I would also recommend checking on the dish periodically to make sure the potatoes come out tender but not overcooked.
How to make ahead and store
Once all of the ingredients are prepped and added to the crock-pot, it’s possible to leave the crock-pot in the fridge for up to 24 hours before you start to cook candied sweet potatoes. After cooking, leftovers can be refrigerated in the crock-pot or an airtight container and will remain good for up to 3 or 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re making crock-pot candied sweet potatoes for a special occasion, it probably won’t be the only side dish you make. Of course, you won’t be able to use the crock-pot for anything else, so you’ll need to get a little creative with your other options. One of my favorites, especially for the holidays, is Easy Gluten-Free Stuffing. You may also want to make Low-Carb Keto Green Bean Casserole, which is a healthy side dish to help balance out the candied sweet potatoes. This dish would also pair well with a few simple side dishes like Creamed Corn and Cumin-Roasted Carrots.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest from 1 orange optional
- 4 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch thick slices
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter cubed
- Toasted pecans for garnish optional
Instructions
- Combine maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and orange zest (if using) in a small bowl.
- Place a layer of sweet potatoes in the crock-pot, dot with butter, and sprinkle on some of the sugar mixture. Repeat layering until all potatoes and sugar mixture are used.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until sweet potatoes are tender and glazed. Stir to evenly coat them with the syrupy mixture.
- Serve the candied sweet potatoes warm. Sprinkle with toasted pecans just before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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