Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and delicious side dish option, but baking them in the oven can sometimes take more time and attention than you have to spare. Enter the slow cooker—a hassle-free way to “bake” sweet potatoes to tender perfection! With this method, you can set it and forget it, letting the slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day.
1. Slow Cooker Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4-6 medium sweet potatoes (try to select ones of similar size for even cooking)
- Olive oil or cooking spray (optional, for rubbing the skins)
- Salt (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes: Rinse the sweet potatoes under cool water and scrub them with a brush to remove any dirt. Pat the sweet potatoes dry with a towel.
Prick the sweet potatoes: Using a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. This allows steam to escape during cooking and helps the potatoes cook evenly.
Optional: Rub with olive oil and salt: For a slightly crispier skin, you can rub each sweet potato with a bit of olive oil or spray them with cooking spray. Sprinkle lightly with salt if desired.
Step 2: Arrange Sweet Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
Place the sweet potatoes in the slow cooker: Arrange the sweet potatoes in a single layer inside the slow cooker. Try not to stack them, but if you need to, place the larger ones on the bottom.
Step 3: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Cook on LOW or HIGH:
For LOW: Cook the sweet potatoes for 6-7 hours.
For HIGH: Cook for 3-4 hours.
The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size of your sweet potatoes and the strength of your slow cooker. You will know the sweet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender (a fork or knife should slide easily into the center).
Step 4: Serve
Remove and serve: Once the sweet potatoes are done, carefully remove them from the slow cooker using tongs (they will be very hot). Let them cool slightly before cutting them open.
Top and enjoy: Slice the sweet potatoes down the center and fluff the soft interior with a fork. Add your favorite toppings like butter, cinnamon sugar, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweeter option, or go savory with sour cream and shredded cheese.
2. Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Baked Sweet Potatoes
Choose Evenly Sized Potatoes: Try to select sweet potatoes that are similar in size to ensure they cook at the same rate.
Don’t Add Water: There’s no need to add any water to the slow cooker. The sweet potatoes will steam in their own natural moisture.
Cook Ahead: You can cook the sweet potatoes in the slow cooker ahead of time, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Simply reheat them in the microwave or oven when ready to eat.
Crispier Skins?: If you prefer crispier skins, you can pop the cooked sweet potatoes under the broiler in your oven for a few minutes after they’re done in the slow cooker.
3. Flavor Variations
Sweet Cinnamon Butter: Combine softened butter with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar for a delicious topping that melts into the sweet potato.
Savory Herb Butter: Mix butter with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a savory twist. Add a pinch of garlic for extra flavor.
Loaded Sweet Potatoes: Turn your sweet potatoes into a meal by adding toppings like chopped bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream, and chives.
Making slow cooker baked sweet potatoes is an easy, hands-off way to enjoy this nutritious and delicious side dish. With a variety of sweet and savory topping options, you can customize these baked sweet potatoes to suit your tastes and make them a versatile addition to any meal.
