How to make southern style candied yams in the slow cooker. These easy candied yams are the bomb!
My subscribers and I obviously love candied yams , and sweet potatoes. I’m always uploading yam and sweet potato recipes, because my sweethearts are always requesting them! One of my most popular recipes on iheartrecipes.com , would have to be my baked candied yams soul food style. This past holiday season I’ve gotten about a 100 emails from readers raving about these southern style candied yams. Although many people loved the recipe, a ton of people wanted to know if they could make their candied yams in the slow cooker… The answer is YES! You can definitely make yams in the CrockPot, or any other slow cooker that you may have! To be honest with you, I actually prefer making my candied yams in the slow cooker these days. Why? Because although I will always love my baked candied yams, slow cooking the yams make the yams even more tender. Like seriously, these yams will freaking melt in your mouth..
So what did I change?
Oh not much.. This recipe is super similar to my other candied yams recipe. However, I left the clove & ginger out. This time around I’m just using cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla! Now don’t get it twisted, you can still add the clove and ginger if you’d like. I just know that a lot of people don’t usually have it on hand, so we will skip those ingredients.
This candied yams recipe has a lot more “juice”. The last time that I made my baked yams I thinking “these are freaking amazing, but next time I want more juice”… Nowadays, I’m one of those greedy folks that like my yams to swim in a sweet buttery sauce, therefore I made sure to add more liquid to this recipe. I also wanted the liquid to “stick” to the yams, so I added a little bit of cornstarch.
Putting everything together.
What is I told you that all you had to do is throw everything in the darn pot? Would you love me forever & and ever? Welp, that’s really all that you have to do… Well almost..
Simply peel the yams, then chop them, and toss them in the slow cooker. Next your going to sprinkle in the cornstarch, and stir… NOW, you can just toss everything in the pot, set in on low for 3 hours, and wait for all that yummy – buttery – tender goodness!! ( My mouth just watered thinking about the outcome y’all!!)
down below is the recipe, but here are a few soul food & southern dishes that you can serve these candied yams with
Main Dish
Veggie
Dessert
Here’s the recipe! Print it, Share it, and Enjoy!
These tender yams are buttery, sweet and velvety. They cook up well in the slow cooker simmered in a sweet sauce.
- 7-8 medium sized yams peeled & chopped
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 cup water
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Toss the yams into the slow cooker
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Sprinkle the cornstarch all over the yams, and toss.
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Next toss in the white & brown sugar.
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Sprinkle in cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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Add in the vanilla extract, and water.
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Top off the yams with the butter.
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Now cover the slow cooker, and set on low.
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Let the candied yams cook 3 hours.
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Be sure to stir halfway in the cooking process.
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Serve and enjoy
Try my Bourbon Candied Yams! ( made on the stove top)
Baked Southern Yams – Soul Food Style
Candied Yams with Marshmallows!
These pictures are making my mouth water, because I have not had candied yams in ages!
Ooh Joanne, you gotta make these asap! They are so good!
I just recently found your site and I absolutely love it. I love to cook comfort food and your recipes are right up my alley. Thank you for the incredible recipes.
Hi Sherri! I’m glad that you found my blog! XOXO
These look so good….sweet and buttery! YUM! Absolutely love the idea of cooking these in the crockpot! Pinned. Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter!
Thanks Mary! I hope that you give it a try! Happy Easter!
This is actually how I make my yams but I never thought about doing cornstarch with it so I’m going to try it with cornstarch
Hi Rosie… I have missed several months of your FANTASTIC recipes due to my husband suddenly having to fight cancer… Things are just beginning to settle down, and I have enjoyed going back to your site and watching you cook great meals. (I am sure I have gained five or more pounds just watching the demos!) Wanted you to know how much I enjoy and look forward to your emails. You are doing a GREAT job!!!
Hi there! I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I will definitely keep you both in my prayers! I appreciate you coming by!
Hi Rose!
If I want to use the clove and ginger, how much should I use? I love candied yams and I’ve tried another one of your candied yams recipes.
Hi Sheila! You can add 1/4 tsp of each.
Does this method produce the thick, sticky liquid like traditional yams have?
It’s not extremely thick, but thick enough to stick to the yams.
I made this recipe for Thanksgiving, and it was a hit! I was pressed for time, so, instead of 3 hours on low, I did 2 hours on high. The praying we’re perfectly tender without falling apart. I’m making it again, for our office holiday party. The only thing I’m changing is that I will drain the syrup and reduce it down on the stove top, then pour it back into the crock, once it has thickened to my liking.
Excellent recipe!! And, it’s NOT cloyingly sweet. Just right. You taste potatoes, not sugar!
Thanks so much for trying my recipe!
Happy Easter, Rosie, and I hope you and your family are having a good one! Would you recommend using allspice with this recipe and if so, how much? Thanks in advance!
Hi SJ. No, I personally would not recommend allspice. Happy Easter!
Hi Rosie,
I will be making this dish on Father’s Day. I made the corn pudding yesterday it was delicious and my family loved it. Will try the cabbage today.
Hi Marilyn! Enjoy! XOXO
I googled and found your recipe and made these for my book club. They were a hit. I was pressed for time so I set my cooker on high and I still had yummy results.
Thank you!
So happy I found you! You are amazing. Delicious receipes that my family will eat! I check my emails more than I ever had before! Love You!
Hi Dorthy!! I’m glad that you found me as well!!! XOXOXOXO
Hey Rosie! How are you? Can I still add marshmallows? If so, would I transfer to a baking dish and place in the oven?
Hi Roquin! You sure can!You can toss the marshmallows in during the last 30 minutes, or once done, transfer to a bake dish, and broil until the marshmallows reach your preference.
CAN I use sweet potatoes instead of yams?
Sure thing 🙂
Hi Rosie!!
I was wondering how much nutmeg is it 1/4 tsp,because it just says 1/4 grind nutmeg. Thanks in advance.
Hi Terra. It’s 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 🙂
Hi Rosie, just had to tell you, I got 52 pins from this recipe last week. This doesn’t count the many many pins before and since. Thank you for sharing this and ALL your other delicious recipes.
Sister From the South,
LindY G
Hi Lindy!!! Woohoo!!! Thanks so much for sharing it on Pinterest!! XOXOXOXO
Hi Rosie, wanted to let you know people are pinning this recipe like crazy, I got 60 pins this past week. GO ROSIE!!! huggggggg
LindY
WOWZERS!!! That’s so Awesome! Thanks LindY!!
Not sure why but I only used 3 sweet potatoes (huge from the market but cut down small), I filled up my 4.5 qt pot and added all the ingredients. After 2 hours though the sweet potatoes weren’t soft…I mean not even remotely soft. I stirred them around hoping for a miracle in the last hour. Nothing happened. I ended up scooping most of the potatoes out and roasting them in the oven and left the remainder to sit on low overnight. Of course this morning they were cooked to perfection but I’m wondering if sweet potatoes in a slow cooker usually take longer. If not then maybe I need a new slow cooker.
Hi S. Unfortunately It sounds like you didn’t follow the recipe above. It can also be your slow cooker 🙁
I used your recipe and my candied yams came out great. I was being lazy so I used canned yams. I dumped the entire can of yams with the juices (which elements the 2 cups of water). I then added all the other ingredients and let them slow cook on low for 5 hours. The last 30 minutes of cooking I added marshmallows. I paired this with your BBQ Turkey Wing recipe. Dinner was a hit tonight.
Hi Hope! Glad that you were able to work it out! LOL
I need to feed 15 people. Can recipe be doubled in same slow cooker?
Yes, it can be doubled in a 6 quart slow cooker.
Thx. Dish was phenomenal. Made it tonite for a trial pre-Thanksgiving run along with your smothered chicken recipe. Big hit in my house. Thx for sharing your gift!
Thanks so much for trying my recipe Carolyn!
Gonna try these out for thanksgiving. Do you think I can finished in the oven and top with marshmallows? Just long enough to Brown the marshmallows?
Hi Brandy! Absolutely! XOXO
Your recipe for Slow Cooker Southern Candied Yams looks amazing! I have a question. Should the slow cooker be set on low or high? Thank you!
Oops, I’ve re-read your recipe, and see that it should be set on low. Thanks!
Thanks for coming by Mary Beth!
I can’t wait to make this! Just one question- I’d like to add apples… should I add them in the last hour or just cook them together with the yams for 3 hours?
Hi Lauren! Sorry, that is another recipe.
Hello! I like for the sauce to be a tad thicker than yours. Should I add more corn starch? If so, how much? Thank you.
Hi Shannon! I’m unsure of your preference of thickness. You’ll have to play around with it until you reach your preference.
Hi ya 🙂
I would like less liquid. Will reducing to 1cup of water affect the cooking of the yams?
Thanks!
No, reducing the water will affect the amount of syrup. Also, if you’re going to reduce the water, you’ll also have to reduce the corn starch, and maybe some sugar – since you’re not making a lot of syrup for the yams.
Hello! I’m excited to begin cooking some of your recpies. Question: can all of your recipes be easily double to make a larger quantity without compromising on taste and quality? Thank you!
Most of my recipes, yes 🙂
Hi Rosie,
I came across your blog a few weeks ago and will be using this recipe for thanksgiving this year.. it looks so good! Question, will I be okay to still put my sweet potatoes in the crock pot without the liner? I forgot to buy it today at the store and will be cooking tomorrow!!!
Absolutely! The liner just makes it easier for for the clean up after. 🙂
Hi! I’m excited to make these for Thanksgiving. Can I prep everything the night before so all I have to do is combine and turn the crock pot on? Will the yams be ok precut? Any other tips for preparing a day ahead of time? Thank you!!
This is such a quick recipe. I don’t think you have to make these ahead of time.
Thank you!
Hello from Alaska
Trying your recipe for Thanksgiving. Looks fantastic.
Thanks Terry!
Wow! This sounds great I’m making them for Thanksgiving! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Rosie,
Can I leave the skin on the yams? Will it take longer? Or is it better to peel them?
Thank you!
Peel the yams 🙂
This came out delicious. My family loved it.
Found your recipe by accident to doctor up another recipe and it was a hit. Everyone loved it. I will be making it for Christmas dinner. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for coming by!
I made this for thanksgiving and it was hit. It’s been requested for Christmas too. Thanks
Hi! I’m going to make these for a Friendsgiving. Can I make them I’m the morning and keep them on warm throughout the day or will there be mushy? Is it best to make them just in time to serve? Thanks!
Yes! You can do that 🙂
I plan to try these for thanksgiving. How do I adjust your recipe using half the yams.?
By cutting the recipe in half 😉
I wanted to know what the measurements would be if I were making this for 4 people?
Cut it in half .
I’m so making these for Thanksgiving simply because all my other pots and oven is being used. I love my crock pot so why not use it to make this super easy recipe thanks so much for posting!
OMG! Your blog is amazing!! Have you tried this recipe in the Instant Pot? I see that you have one for it but the oodles of sugary sauce from this recipe is making me wish that today was Thanksgiving! Was thinking about pre-making these and reheating on Turkey Day in the oven (if it don’t eat the whole batch tonight by myself!).
It can definitely be done in the Instant Pot as well 🙂
Wanting to make this for about 25 people, should I just double the recipe? Also can I add marshmallows to this?
You would probably need to quadruple this recipe. Marshmallows can be added.
Awesome. Thank you so much. I’m so excited for this recipe. Sorry about the multiple post.
Great recipe. I am a recipe tweaker to. I did add cloves . . . and a bit of almond extract and a shot of rum. I added marshmallows at the end of cooking. They were a hit at our company pot luck for Thanksgiving. Thanks!
Hi Rosie,
I love you girl!! You’re truly a life saver! I’m being lazy and I’m using canned yams. Do you think following your receipe exact ingredients (with exception of water) using two (2lb) cans will be good? If not should I double the ingredients? My Thanksgiving is starting out slow this morning but I’m moving nonetheless, to God be the Glory! Happy Thanksgiving
I love you back, so I’m going to say NO TO CANNED YAMS!! LOL!! If you like canned yams, do your thang, but I don’t think it’s going to be that great. 🙁
This dish was the star of Thanksgiving dinner. First time making candied yams and it did not disappoint! Everyone raved about it. I reduced liquid on stove top to make it a thicker consistency.
Hi Rosie!
I followed your recipe and my yams came out great!!! Thank you!!
Made these and they were a hit. I didn’t change a thing, but I did add some candied pecans and at the end topped with marshmallows. Everyone loved them for thanksgiving. I plan on making again for Christmas. Thank you for the amazing recipe.
I made the traditional very well, I cooked the sauce until my preferred thickness. Can I stove cook the sauce and then add it to the yams in the slow cooker? Also, since I love the baked version…. Could I just throw the traditional in crock to reheat? Low or high? Thanks!
Hello! Can you tell me what you’re referring to when you say traditional?
I made Candied Yams last year for Christmas dinner and they were so bad 🙁 I am so glad I found your Blog before the holidays because this Recipe was amazingly Bomb! I was very proud of myself and because I don’t give you credit in front of my family 😉 I will here!!