If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that practically makes itself, you’ve got to try this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I come back to every holiday season because it’s unbelievably easy but tastes like you’ve been working at it for hours. Plus, the maple-pecan topping adds this perfect crunchy-sweet finish that will make your family go crazy. I promise, once you try it, it’ll be your go-to side dish too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-Off Cooking: Your slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you relax or prep other dishes.
Rich, Real Ingredients: Sweet potatoes get cozy with maple syrup and warming spices, making every bite comforting and wholesome.
Pecan Crunch Magic: Toasted pecans add the perfect textural contrast and nutty flavor that elevates the whole dish.
Perfect for Big Meals: It frees up oven space, so you can focus on your main courses without juggling multiple dishes.

This image shows a white bowl filled with a thick, mashed orange sweet potato layer that is roughly shaped with a soft texture. On top of this layer, there is a generous amount of chopped pecans scattered unevenly, adding a crunchy contrast with their brown, nutty pieces. The bowl sits on a woven orange, red, and yellow circular placemat, and in the blurred background, part of another white dish with light brown pecans can be seen resting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping, sweet potato casserole easy, holiday sweet potato side dish, cozy casserole recipes, maple pecan topping dessert

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe shines because of its simple, real ingredients—you’ll find that sweet potatoes, spices, and maple syrup work together to create a rich, creamy base, while the toasted pecans add a wonderful crunch. When shopping, look for fresh pecans and pure maple syrup to get that authentic sweetness.

Flat lay of peeled sweet potato chunks, a small white bowl of water, a small white bowl of whole milk, four pieces of room temperature butter, a small white bowl of pure maple syrup, a few fresh lemon wedges with a small white bowl of lemon juice, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of ground ginger, a small white bowl of toasted chopped pecans placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping, sweet potato casserole easy, holiday sweet potato side dish, cozy casserole recipes, maple pecan topping dessert

Sweet potatoes: Choose firm, medium to large sweet potatoes for easy peeling and even cooking.
Water: Helps steam the potatoes gently in the slow cooker without drying them out.
Whole milk: Warm milk blends smoothly into the mash, making it silky and rich.
Butter: Adds creamy texture and depth of flavor; room temperature butter mixes easier.
Pure maple syrup: Go for 100% pure maple syrup for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice: Balances the sweetness with a splash of brightness.
Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavors with a subtle warmth and aroma.
Salt: Essential to enhance all the natural flavors.
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: Classic warm spices that bring cozy fall vibes to the dish.
Chopped pecans: Toasted for a crunchy, nutty topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sweet potatoes.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable this slow cooker sweet potato casserole is—you can make it just as is for Thanksgiving or tweak it to fit your family’s tastes or dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to get creative with what you’ve got on hand!

Vegan Variation: I once swapped the butter with coconut oil and used almond milk instead—it turned out just as creamy and the family didn’t even notice!
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika if you want a subtle kick that surprises your taste buds.
Extra Crunch: Try mixing in some chopped walnuts or even pecan pralines for a caramelized crunch topping instead of plain toasted pecans.

How to Make Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Sweet Potatoes Low and Slow

Start by placing those peeled and cut sweet potato chunks in your slow cooker—this is such a relief compared to oven-roasting! Pour in the water (this helps steam them evenly). Cover, then set your slow cooker to LOW for about 6 to 7 hours, or HIGH if you’re short on time, about 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know they’re done when the potatoes are tender enough to mash easily with a fork. Pro tip: avoid lifting the lid too often, or you’ll let out all the steam and extend the cooking time.

Step 2: Mash and Flavor the Sweet Potatoes

Once the sweet potatoes are soft, drain any water from the slow cooker. Then it’s mashing time! Use a potato masher right inside the crockpot for minimal mess. Add warm milk, room temperature butter, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract, salt, and those delicious warming spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mash everything together until it’s smooth and velvety. This step is where the magic happens, and you’ll see why this recipe is a family favorite!

Step 3: Heat Through and Add the Topping

Cover and let the mashed sweet potatoes cook for another 15 to 30 minutes on LOW in the slow cooker until everything is heated through and the flavors meld nicely. Just before serving, stir the sweet potatoes gently and smooth the surface. Evenly sprinkle the toasted pecans over the top, and voilà—your Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping Recipe is ready to wow your guests.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping Recipe

Peel Like a Pro: When peeling sweet potatoes, I use a sharp vegetable peeler and a bit of patience—the thick skin can be stubborn but it’s worth it to avoid stringy bits.
Toast Pecans Just Right: Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring often to prevent burning.
Room Temperature Butter: It blends better with warm milk and sweet potatoes, making the mash extra creamy without lumps.
Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: It brightens the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly, so you won’t want to leave it out!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping Recipe

A white scalloped bowl holds a single layer of smooth, bright orange mashed sweet potatoes topped generously with a layer of chopped pecans, which add a textured, brown, and crunchy contrast. In the background, a white dish contains more pecan pieces, slightly out of focus. The bowl and pecans rest on a woven, multi-colored orange and red placemat, with a shiny silver spoon placed nearby. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping, sweet potato casserole easy, holiday sweet potato side dish, cozy casserole recipes, maple pecan topping dessert

Garnishes

I like adding a few extra chopped pecans on top after serving for that fresh crunch, and sometimes a little sprinkle of flaky sea salt to really make the flavors pop. A dash of fresh thyme or rosemary also adds a lovely herbal note if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

This sweet potato casserole pairs beautifully with roast turkey or chicken, a simple green bean almondine, and buttery dinner rolls. I’ve also served it alongside crispy Brussels sprouts—it balances perfectly with the dish’s sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like to serve this casserole in a rustic ceramic dish and garnish the top with whole pecans and a few fresh sage leaves. If you want to dress it up further, adding a drizzle of extra maple syrup right before serving makes it irresistibly glossy and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover sweet potato casserole keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. I always let it cool completely before refrigerating to avoid condensation messing with the topping texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers successfully by portioning into freezer-safe containers right after cooking. Just be sure to cool fully first, and it’ll last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil to retain moisture, for about 20-25 minutes. If you want to keep the pecan topping crunchy, I add it fresh after reheating. Microwave works in a pinch, but the texture is best with the oven method.

FAQs

Can I use canned sweet potatoes for this recipe?

While canned sweet potatoes could work in a pinch, they tend to be softer and sometimes watery, which affects texture and flavor. I recommend using fresh sweet potatoes for the best creamy, fluffy mash that this recipe is known for.
What size slow cooker should I use?

A 5 1/2- to 7-quart slow cooker is ideal to comfortably fit 4 pounds of sweet potatoes and allow room for stirring and mashing. Smaller slow cookers might overflow or cook unevenly.
Can I prepare the pecan topping ahead of time?

Absolutely! Toast the pecans a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Sprinkle them just before serving to ensure they stay crunchy.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! All the ingredients in this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping Recipe are naturally gluten-free, making it safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple-Pecan Topping Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s been my secret weapon when I want a delicious dish that’s effortless to prepare but still impresses everyone at the table. Honestly, once I started making this, I rarely go back to baked versions because the slow cooker creates the most tender potatoes with just the right texture every time. I really hope you give it a try and that it brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine!