Crockpot sweet potatoes take only 5 minutes prep time, and cook through to soft, fluffy perfection! This post includes step by step photos, an instructional video, and 10+ delicious ways to use them up!
Sweet potatoes are a staple in our diet, but with a long cook time, it's definitely necessary to cook them ahead for easier weeknight meals! You can cook them in the Instant Pot or baked in the oven. Another great option? The slow cooker!
With soft and fluffy insides, these crockpot sweet potatoes are so easy to prep, without even needing to turn on the oven. All it takes is 5 minutes to wash, prick, and place them into the slow cooker!
This method has never let us down, providing perfect, fluffy sweet potatoes each and every time!
Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
- perfect tender and fluffy sweet potatoes each and every time
- you'll need just one ingredient - sweet potatoes!
- takes just 5 minutes prep
Recipe Video
Watch the video below to see how to make these crockpot sweet potatoes (they're so simple!), plus three ways to stuff them! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Step by step directions
Prepare sweet potatoes
Wash and pat dry sweet potatoes; prick all over with a fork or paring knife.
Cook
Add the sweet potatoes to the slow cooker (stack them to fit, but ensure the lid fits on securely). Cook on the lowest setting for 6-8 hours.
TIP- no water is needed for this recipe; the sweet potatoes generate enough liquid during cooking to steam through.
Serve
Use tongs to carefully remove the sweet potatoes from the slow cooker. They will be soft and delicate so work carefully.
Serve with butter, coconut sugar and cinnamon, or store for later.
Cook time - small sweet potatoes might be ready closer to 6 hours, but large sweet potatoes need the full 8 hours
FAQ
Nope, the sweet potatoes release water as they cook, causing them to steam without the need to add extra water to the slow cooker.
Absolutely! Check out these Instant Pot sweet potatoes and how to bake sweet potatoes tutorials.
Nope! The old version of these crockpot sweet potatoes did involve wrapping the sweet potatoes up in foil to cook them, but after testing without foil we found it was not necessary at all. We tend to avoid foil as much as possible, so this was great news!
Ways to use them up
Whether you use these crockpot sweet potatoes up as twice-baked sweet potatoes, in hummus, breakfast burritos, or any of these recipes, using the slow cooker to cook them ahead definitely makes your meal prep go a little faster.
- Enchilada stuffed sweet potatoes
- Smoky sweet potato hummus
- Southwestern sweet potato breakfast burritos
- Freezer sweet potato taquitos
- Freezer sweet potato waffles
- Sweet potato falafels
- Twice baked sweet potatoes with sausage & pepper jack
- Chipotle sweet potato black bean quesadillas
- Turkey & smoked gouda sweet potato boats
- Twice baked sweet potato casserole
- Easy mashed sweet potatoes
- Taco stuffed sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato pancakes
Storage + Meal Prep
Sweet potatoes work amazingly well for meal prep! Here's how to store and reheat them:
- freezer - after cooking, cool completely, wrap in parchment paper, and store in a meal prep container for up to 3 months
- fridge - store in an air tight container in the fridge for 4-5 days
- reheat - in the oven at 425°F for 10-12 minutes (depends on the size of the sweet potato), or microwave - 1-2 minutes
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Ultra Creamy Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3-5 sweet potatoes depending on the size of the sweet potatoes and the size of your slow cooker
Instructions
- Prepare- Wash and pat dry sweet potatoes; prick all over with a fork or paring knife.
- Cook- Add the sweet potatoes to the slow cooker (stack them to fit). Cook on the lowest setting for 6-8 hours.
- Serve - Use tongs to carefully remove the sweet potatoes from the slow cooker. They will be soft and delicate so work carefully.Serve with butter, coconut sugar and cinnamon, or store for later.
Tips:
- You can put as many sweet potatoes in your slow cooker as will fit! Just make sure the lid fits securely.
-
Fridge - After cooking, sweet potatoes may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer - Wrap cooled sweet potatoes in parchment paper (secure with tape), then place in a silicone bag or meal prep container. Store for up to 3 months.
- To re-heat - thaw completely if necessary. Heat at 425°F in the oven for 10 or so minutes (depends on the size of the sweet potatoes); OR heat in the microwave on medium power for 2 or so minutes, until heated through (also depends on the power of your microwave and size of your sweet potatoes)
- Sausage stuffed sweet potatoes
- Enchilada stuffed sweet potatoes
- Breakfast sweet potatoes:
- re-heat sweet potatoes in the oven at 425 for 10 or so minutes
- while potatoes are re-heating, scramble eggs (2/ sweet potato) in a pan. Add in greens & salt & pepper.
- serve scrambled eggs over the sweet potatoes
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
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Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.
monica says
Can I avoid the foil? I try to produce as little garbage as possible.
Denise says
Hi Monica, that's a great question! I've pretty much removed all aluminum foil from my kitchen these days, but I haven't made these without. If you try it, would you let me know how they turn out?
Katie says
Hi!
Any idea how many cups one potato yields?
Thanks!
Denise says
Hi Katie! That's a really tough question...it will definitely depend on the size of your sweet potatoes. For the ones pictured I believe I got about 1.5-2 cups or so for each? That's a guestimate though 😉
Norma says
Do you place the foil-wrapped sweet potatoes on top of wadded-up foil in the slow-cooker or just set the foil-wrapped sweet potatoes down in the slow-cooker without anything under them?
Denise says
Hi Norma! I just placed them in without any foil on the bottom of the slow cooker, they did leak out a small amount of liquid, but it was easy enough to clean up.
Izzy says
This is such a great idea, Denise!! I could eat sweet potatoes every single day! I love them so much I've been dealing with the heat from the oven just so I can get my fix, but cooking them in a slow cooker is such a great idea for the summer! Basically I want to eat all of these dishes!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Ahh yum!! This series is PERFECT Denise. It's just the two of us and while we love our slow cooker to bits, sometimes eight tons of pulled chicken, beef, etc. gets old. I love all of these sweet potato recipes.
Denise says
I'm so glad you like the series, Jessica! I hate throwing food away, and sometimes that's what ends up happening.
Denise says
Thanks, Emanuele! I'm definitely still learning my crock pot, but the more I use it, the easier it gets!
Louise petets says
How long will they keep. In fridge for
Denise says
Up to 4 days!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Oh, man. That is seriously the ONLY way I want to cook my sweet potatoes from now on! Loooove all the things that you can do with the sweet potatoes afterward especially those quesadillas!
Denise says
Thanks, Sarah! I had a lot of fun with this post 😉
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Denise!!! I love this new series! I love slow cooker recipes!!! I didn't start using my slow cooker in the summer until recently .. and probably won't pull it out on the really hot days but I've been loving it! such a time saver on busy days .. and LOVE sweet potato recipes!! bring it on!!!
Denise says
Thanks, Alice! I love my slow cooker 🙂
Catherine says
Dear Denise, I love this idea and all three dishes look delicious. Those quesadillas have my name written all over them. I would love that for lunch today. I have to remember to break out my slow cooker more often. xo, Catherine
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Yay. I love this new series! So fun! Slow cooker meals are my favorite and such a lifesaver. We eat a lot of sweet potatoes and each one of these meals would be a hit! They look amazing!
Denise says
Thanks so much, Kelly! I can't get enough of sweet potatoes...my favorites!
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I am so excited that you are starting this series! I never knew you could cook sweet potatoes like that in the slow cooker! And your three recipes using those sweet potatoes look delicious! It's so tough to choose, but I think I want to try those twice-baked potatoes first. 🙂
Denise says
It's hard to argue with gooey cheese, isn't it, Kristine 😉 Thanks!
marcie says
Denise, I love that you've given me a brand new oven-off way to bake potatoes! This is so cool, and I intend to to use it. I love my sweet potatoes, and your recipes look wonderful. Can't wait to see the full posts!
Denise says
Yes! I can never get them as soft and creamy when I roast them in the oven...I don't think I'll ever do them in the oven again!
Ashley says
What a fun idea! I'm the same way with my slow cooker - it can make such large batches! All three of these sound delicious!
Denise says
Thanks, Ashley! I always have a ton of left-overs that I don't know how to use!
Olivia - Primavera Ktichen says
This is such a great idea for a series, Denise! I also have the same problem with my slow cooker. It cooks really large batches of food and I don't have a big family. It is only me and my husband. So, this is great post for me 😉
Denise says
I'm so glad you like the series, Olivia! I get pretty bored eating the same thing over and over again.
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Loving this new series! And so smart to do the sweet potatoes in the slow cooker. Then I can come home from work and they'll be all ready for me. The best!
Denise says
Exactly! And you don't have to turn on your oven! Thanks, Natalie!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This is such a fun series, Denise! I've never even thought to cook sweet potatoes in my slow cooker. Such a great idea!
Denise says
You should try it, Gayle! It is the easiest thing ever...I don't think I'll ever cook them in the oven again!