Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows – The Easiest Holiday Side Dish Ever
Sweet potatoes and marshmallows have been a staple of holiday tables for generations. Soft, warm, cinnamon-spiced sweet potatoes topped with golden, melted marshmallows create one of the most comforting and nostalgic side dishes imaginable. But what if you could enjoy all the flavor, all the cozy holiday aroma, and all the nostalgia—without the work of boiling, mashing, or baking?
That’s exactly where Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows comes in. This slow cooker version takes a classic holiday comfort food and transforms it into a completely hands-off, effortless recipe. Whether you’re prepping for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a potluck, or just want a warm and cozy side dish on a regular weeknight, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort.
This dish combines soft slow-cooked sweet potatoes, cinnamon, a touch of brown sugar or maple syrup, butter, and vanilla to create a rich, creamy base that pairs perfectly with toasted marshmallows. The slow cooker does all the work, keeping your oven free for turkey, casseroles, pies, or whatever your holiday menu demands.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Version
1. Completely Hands-Off
No boiling. No draining. No baking. Just toss everything in, turn it on, and walk away.
2. Perfect for Busy Holiday Kitchens
The crockpot keeps the sweet potatoes warm for hours without drying out, making this an ideal side dish for gatherings.
3. Creamy, Sweet, and Comforting
The slow cooking enhances the natural sweetness of the potatoes and produces an extra creamy texture.
4. Foolproof
Beginners, kids helping in the kitchen, and even people who “never cook” can pull this off perfectly.
5. Flexible Sweetness
You control how sweet the dish is—use more or less sugar, swap in maple syrup, or rely mostly on the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Ingredients for Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
Flavor Mix
- 3 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Topping
- 2–3 cups mini marshmallows (add to taste)
Optional mix-ins:
- A pinch of nutmeg
- A splash of heavy cream
- Toasted pecans
- A drizzle of maple syrup
How to Make Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
1. Prep the sweet potatoes
Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into chunks. The size doesn’t need to be exact—small to medium pieces cook evenly.
2. Add everything to the crockpot
Place sweet potatoes in the slow cooker. Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
3. Slow cook
Cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–7 hours, until fork-tender.
4. Mash or leave chunky
Use a potato masher for creamy texture or stir gently for a chunkier style.
5. Add marshmallows
Sprinkle mini marshmallows across the top.
6. Melt the marshmallows
Cover and cook for another 5–10 minutes until they soften and melt. If you want them toasted, scoop the mixture into a baking dish and broil for 1–2 minutes.
7. Serve warm
The sweet potatoes will stay warm in the crockpot for up to 2 hours—great for potlucks or holidays.
Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Peel and chop sweet potatoes into chunks.
- Add sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt to the crockpot.
- Cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–7 hours until tender.
- Mash or stir sweet potatoes to desired texture.
- Top with mini marshmallows.
- Cover and cook for 5–10 minutes until marshmallows melt.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Crockpot Dish
Cut Sweet Potatoes Evenly
Try to keep pieces similar in size for even cooking.
Keep the Lid Closed
Opening the crockpot adds cooking time.
Marshmallow Timing
Add them at the end so they don’t dissolve entirely.
Taste Before Adding More Sweetness
Sweet potatoes vary a lot—some are naturally sweeter than others.
Variations
Pecan Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes
Add chopped toasted pecans for crunch.
No Marshmallow Version
Top with a maple-pecan oat crumble instead.
Healthy Lightened-Up Version
Use less butter and replace brown sugar with maple syrup or omit it entirely.
Spiced Holiday Sweet Potatoes
Add nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs well with:
- turkey
- ham
- roasted chicken
- stuffing
- green beans
- mac and cheese
- glazed carrots
It’s also great as a dessert-style side.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
3–4 days, in an airtight container.
Freezer:
Freeze without marshmallows for up to 2 months.
Reheat:
Warm in the microwave or crockpot. Add fresh marshmallows before serving.
