This easy Crock Pot sweet potato casserole gives you that creamy, marshmallow-topped holiday side without taking up any oven space. I just mash canned yams with butter and brown sugar, add a crunchy pecan topping, and let the slow cooker do the work. It’s perfect for when your oven is already packed on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

It was Thanksgiving morning and my oven was packed with turkey, stuffing, and rolls. I still had my sweet potatoes to deal with and nowhere to bake them. So I reached for my Crock Pot. I mashed up some canned yams with melted butter and brown sugar, spread a crunchy pecan topping over the top, and let it cook while the oven stayed busy. I added the marshmallows near the end and waited. One bite and I was sold! This slow cooker version was just as good as my baked one, maybe even better. My family went back for seconds. Now I make it this way every time my oven is full and everyone still wants that cozy classic side.

Canned yams, butter, brown sugar, and that buttery pecan topping turn into a creamy casserole that tastes just like the baked kind. Since I use canned yams, there’s no peeling or boiling, so prep takes just 10 minutes. I cook it low and slow for 3 to 4 hours, then sprinkle on the marshmallows in the last hour so they get all gooey and golden.

For more sweet potato recipes, be sure to check out my easy sweet potato casserole, air fryer baked sweet potato, sweet potato cream cheese pie, and sweet potato casserole with pineapple!

Sweet Potato Casserole in the Crock Pot Ingredients

• Canned yams – I use drained canned yams to save time, and they mash into a smooth base without any extra peeling or boiling.
• Unsalted butter – Butter gives the casserole its rich, creamy flavor, and I like using unsalted so I can control the sodium levels. I melt it first so it mixes evenly.
• Brown sugar – I use light brown sugar for added sweetness and a touch of caramel depth that pairs perfectly with the sweet potatoes.
• Egg – The egg helps bind the casserole so it holds together nicely when served.
• Cinnamon and salt – Cinnamon brings warmth, while a little salt balances out all the sweetness.
• Pecans – I can’t get enough of the crunch and nuttiness they add to the topping!
• Flour – This helps the topping hold its crumbly texture.
• Mini marshmallows – This is the gooey, golden topping that makes this dish a holiday classic.

How to Make Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Prepare the slow cooker by spraying the inside with cooking spray.

STEP TWO: Drain the canned yams and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Mash them using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon. Add ¼ cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, an egg, cinnamon, and salt to the mashed yams. Stir everything thoroughly.

STEP THREE: Spread the mashed sweet potato mixture evenly inside the crock pot.

STEP FOUR: In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining brown sugar, butter, chopped pecans, and flour. Mix well to make the pecan topping. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of the sweet potato mixture.

STEP FIVE: Close the lid and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

STEP SIX: In the last hour of cooking, sprinkle the top with marshmallows for a sweet and gooey finish.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes Casserole

• I mash the yams first with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon so the base is creamy and smooth before adding the other ingredients.
• If I’m prepping sweet potato casserole a day or two in advance, I follow the recipe up until I have the sweet potato mixture in the pot, then cover and refrigerate it. I add the pecan topping right before cooking.
• I always spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray to make cleanup easier.
• Adding the marshmallows in the last hour gets them nice and gooey without breaking them down too much. Otherwise, the marshmallows disappear into the casserole.
• If the casserole is done before the rest of the meal, I switch the Crock Pot to “warm” and it stays perfect until serving time.
• To brown the tops of the marshmallows, I use a butane torch lighter. It gets that classic baked look, and it tastes so good!

Sweet Potato Casserole in the Crock Pot Variations and Substitutions

• I sometimes swap butter for coconut oil or ghee when I need a dairy-free version of sweet potato casserole.
• A little vanilla extract adds extra depth and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
• To enhance the warm spice flavor, I’ll add a pinch of nutmeg to the sweet potato mixture. 
• I sometimes add dried cranberries to the sweet potato casserole for a burst of tartness that goes so well with the super sweet mini marshmallows.
• For a different nut flavor, I’ll swap out pecans for walnuts in the crumbly topping.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

I love serving slow cooker sweet potato casserole with other classic Thanksgiving sides like green bean casserole, mac and cheese with cream cheese, maple glazed carrots, or cornbread stuffing!

For the main dish of holiday feasts, my go-tos are a boneless turkey breast or air fryer turkey breast if it’s just me, my husband, and the kids or a spiral ham if we’re hosting a crowd!

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole FAQs

What type of yams should I use?

I’ve found that canned cooked yams are the easiest option since they’re already soft and tender. If I’m using fresh sweet potatoes, I make sure they’re peeled, boiled, and fork-tender before mashing.

Are yams and sweet potatoes different?

While a lot of stores use “sweet potato” and “yam” interchangeably, most of what we buy in the U.S. is actually sweet potatoes. True yams are a completely different root vegetable with white flesh and rough skin.

How should I store leftover slow cooker sweet potato casserole?

I let my sweet potato casserole fully cool, then cover the Crock Pot insert with plastic wrap or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for about 5 days.

More Easy Crock Pot Recipes

• Crock pot chicken and stuffing
• Spiral ham in the crock pot
• Crockpot scalloped potatoes
• Slow cooker london broil
• Crock pot pork tenderloin
• Tri tip in the crock pot
• Crock pot ham and cabbage