If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing side dish that practically makes itself, you’re going to love this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecans Recipe. It’s creamy, naturally sweet, and topped with crunchy toasted pecans that add the perfect texture contrast. Trust me, once you try making it in the slow cooker, you’ll wonder why you ever baked it any other way—it tastes like a holiday classic but is way easier on your oven and your hands!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-Off Cooking: You pop everything in the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to perfect, tender sweet potatoes every time.
Real, Simple Ingredients: No weird additives here—just wholesome staples like fresh sweet potatoes, maple syrup, and warm spices.
Perfect Texture: Creamy mash with a crunchy toasted pecan topping keeps your taste buds happy with every bite.
Great for Holiday Feasts: This dish frees up your oven, making it a total game-changer for Thanksgiving and big family dinners.

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 Toasted Pecans, sweet potato casserole, slow cooker sweet potato side dish, holiday sweet potato recipes, easy slow cooker side dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients here come together effortlessly, providing a natural sweetness and warm spice flavor that’s both comforting and bright. I always recommend using fresh sweet potatoes and real maple syrup for that authentic taste you’ll love.

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 Toasted Pecans, sweet potato casserole, slow cooker sweet potato side dish, holiday sweet potato recipes, easy slow cooker side dish

Sweet potatoes: Choose firm, smooth-skinned sweet potatoes—they mash beautifully and have a naturally sweet flavor.
Water: Helps steam the sweet potatoes gently in the slow cooker.
Whole milk: Warm milk makes mashing easier and adds creaminess without heaviness.
Butter: Softened butter blends in smoothly for that rich, luscious texture.
Pure maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness—avoid syrup imposters for best flavor.
Fresh lemon juice: Just a splash to brighten the flavors and balance sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the dish.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors—don’t skip it!
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: Classic warming spices that make it feel like the holidays.
Chopped pecans: Toast these yourself for max crunch and nutty flavor right before serving.

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 flexible this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecans Recipe is—you can tweak it easily to match your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried and loved.

Vegan Version: Swap the butter for coconut oil or vegan butter, and use almond or oat milk instead of whole milk. The flavor stays rich and comforting, plus it’s dairy-free!
Spice It Up: If you want a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder—that combo of sweet and spicy is surprisingly addictive.
Crunch Swap: Toasted walnuts or pecan halves also work beautifully if you want to change up the texture or flavors of the topping.
Sweetness Level: Adjust maple syrup amount to taste—sometimes I add a little brown sugar for a deeper caramel note when I’m feeling indulgent.

How to Make Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecans Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Cook the Sweet Potatoes

Start by peeling and cutting your sweet potatoes into 2-inch chunks—pretty straightforward, but try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly. Toss them into your large slow cooker, pour in 1 1/2 cups of water, then cover. Cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or if you’re short on time, use HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re fork-tender and soft enough to mash easily. When done, drain the water—don’t skip this step or your casserole might turn out watery.

Step 2: Mash and Flavor the Sweet Potatoes

While the potatoes are still warm, mash them right in the slow cooker using a potato masher. Then pour in warm whole milk, room-temperature butter, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and those lovely spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger). Mash and mix everything together until it’s smooth, creamy, and perfectly combined. Cover and let it cook for another 15 to 30 minutes to meld the flavors and heat through fully.

Step 3: Toast the Pecans and Serve

While the sweet potato mixture finishes cooking, toast your pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often until they’re fragrant and golden—watch closely so they don’t burn! Just before serving, give your casserole a good stir, smooth the top, and sprinkle those warm, crunchy pecans generously over the surface. The contrast between the soft, creamy sweet potatoes and crunchy nuts is everything.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecans Recipe

Even Chunk Sizes: Cutting sweet potatoes in uniform pieces ensures even cooking and perfect tenderness with no hard bits.
Warm Ingredients: Using warm milk and room-temperature butter helps everything blend smoothly and keeps the mash nice and creamy.
Toast Nuts Fresh: Toast your pecans just before serving to keep their crunch and nutty flavor vibrant—they lose their magic if pre-toasted too early.
Don’t Skip Draining: Always drain off the slow cooker water after cooking the potatoes to avoid a soggy casserole.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecans 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 Toasted Pecans, sweet potato casserole, slow cooker sweet potato side dish, holiday sweet potato recipes, easy slow cooker side dish

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple with just the toasted pecans because they bring a perfect crunch and richness. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little chopped fresh parsley or thyme for a subtle herbaceous note that brightens each bite. A small drizzle of extra maple syrup on top adds an irresistible glossy finish on special occasions.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or ham, making it a holiday staple at my house. For a lighter touch, try sautéed green beans with garlic or a crisp, tangy cranberry sauce to cut through the richness. Mashed cauliflower or a fresh spring salad also complement the warm, sweet flavors nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive dinners, I like to serve this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole in a rustic ceramic baking dish right from the slow cooker base itself, then add a sprig of rosemary for a quick garnish. Individual ramekins also make for cute, personalized portions at holiday tables. And if you want to impress, try layering a few more toasted pecans and a swirl of whipped cream cheese frosting on top for a decadent twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container in the fridge where it keeps beautifully for 3 to 5 days. It thickens slightly, so a gentle reheat with a splash of milk restores that creamy texture perfectly.

Freezing

This casserole freezes pretty well, which is great for getting ahead for Thanksgiving. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently in the oven or microwave. Just note that toasted pecans are best added fresh after reheating for maximum crunch.

Reheating

I typically reheat leftovers covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, adding a little milk if it looks dry. Stir halfway through to warm evenly. Microwaving works too for quick meals—just sprinkle your toasted pecans on top after heating.

FAQs

Can I make Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecans Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep the entire casserole up to the final topping stage a day in advance. Store it covered in the fridge, then reheat gently before adding toasted pecans just before serving for the best texture.
What type of slow cooker is best for this recipe?

A large slow cooker between 5 1/2 to 7 quarts works perfectly to accommodate the volume of sweet potatoes and give them space to cook evenly. I personally use a 6-quart and find it ideal for my family’s size.
Can I use canned sweet potatoes instead of fresh?

While canned sweet potatoes are convenient, I highly recommend fresh ones for this recipe—the flavor and texture are far superior when slow-cooked fresh. Plus, mashing fresh cooked sweet potatoes yields a smoother casserole.
How do I prevent the sweet potato casserole from being watery?

Make sure to drain the water used for cooking the potatoes before mashing. Also, warm milk and room-temperature butter help the mash stay creamy without excess liquid.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Pecans Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes for holidays and cozy dinners alike. It’s simple, delicious, and just a little bit special with those toasted pecans on top. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that always gets compliments and makes the table feel warm and inviting. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your home too!