Tiffany Haney
Candied yams are a delicious and tender side dish that is perfect for holidays and Thanksgiving dinners. They are usually made with sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and various spices. The cooking time for candied yams in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired tenderness and the specific crock pot model. Typically, cooking on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-5 hours is recommended, with occasional stirring to prevent burning. However, it's important to adjust the timing based on your preference for softness and the crock pot's performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time on High | 3-5 hours |
| Cook Time on Low | 4-8 hours |
| Stirring Frequency | Every 30 minutes or halfway through |
| Additional Toppings | Marshmallows, pecans, walnuts, granola, honey, maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest |
| Storage | Airtight container for up to 4 days |
| Reheating | Oven at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes or microwave |
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What You'll Learn
Crockpot candied yams cooking time and temperature
Candied yams are a delicious and tender side dish that can be made in a crockpot or slow cooker. The cooking time and temperature for this dish may vary depending on your preference for tenderness and the settings of your crockpot. Here is a guide to help you achieve the perfect crockpot candied yams.
Firstly, it is important to note the difference between yams and sweet potatoes. True yams are starchy with bark-like skin and white flesh, while sweet potatoes are often mislabelled as yams and have a softer texture. For this recipe, it is important to use sweet potatoes, as they will provide the desired sweet and tender result.
To begin preparing your crockpot candied yams, peel and chop the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Place them in the crockpot and add your desired combination of butter, brown sugar, spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), salt, and liquids (like orange juice, pineapple juice, or water). The liquids help create a glaze, so adjust the amount according to your preference.
Now, for the cooking time and temperature. If you are in a hurry, set your crockpot to high heat. On high heat, your candied yams will take approximately 3-4 hours to cook. It is recommended to stir the ingredients after about 2 hours and check for tenderness after 3 hours. If the yams are not soft enough, continue cooking for another hour.
Alternatively, you can cook your candied yams on low heat for a slower cook. On low heat, the cooking time will extend to approximately 4-6 hours. Remember to stir the ingredients periodically, about once every hour, to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
The key to achieving the perfect crockpot candied yams is to cook them until they are fork-tender. This means that a fork can easily pierce the sweet potatoes, indicating a soft and tender texture. The sauce or glaze should also be thickened, coating the yams nicely.
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How to prepare the yams
Preparing yams for a crock pot recipe requires some initial steps before they are ready to be cooked. Firstly, it is important to note the difference between yams and sweet potatoes. True yams are tough, starchy tubers with bark-like skin and white flesh, and they are commonly used in African and Caribbean cooking. They should not be substituted for sweet potatoes in recipes.
To prepare the yams, begin by rinsing and scrubbing the sweet potatoes. Next, use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin, starting from one end of the potato and moving smoothly to the other end. Cut off any blemishes or eyes from the potatoes. Then, slice the potatoes into either bite-sized pieces or round slices about half an inch thick.
After the yams are sliced, it is time to add the seasonings. Sprinkle salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, and honey or maple syrup over the potatoes. You can also add some grated nutmeg for extra flavour. If you want to include orange flavours, add a small amount of orange juice and some orange zest to the sauce, but be careful not to add too much orange juice as it will overpower the other flavours.
Once the yams are seasoned, they are almost ready to be cooked. You can also add some marshmallows to the recipe, either stirring them into the potatoes or adding them on top. If you want the marshmallows browned, you can broil them or use a kitchen torch. Additionally, pecans or walnuts can be included as a crunchy topping, but be sure to dice them up nicely and add them at the end so they don't get soggy.
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Recipe ingredients
The core ingredient of this recipe is sweet potatoes. It is important to note that yams and sweet potatoes are not interchangeable. True yams are tough, starchy tubers with bark-like skin and white flesh, and they are used in savoury dishes. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are sweeter and are often called yams in North America due to their resemblance to the yams found in Africa.
For sweet potatoes, the Jewel and Garnet varieties are recommended for making tender and flavourful yams. However, candied purple sweet potatoes can also be used, although the other ingredients may need adjusting as purple sweet potatoes are less sweet and drier.
The other ingredients required for this recipe are:
- Butter (salted or unsalted)
- Brown sugar (dark brown sugar will give a sweeter, syrupy glaze with a hint of molasses)
- Spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice)
- Salt (kosher salt is recommended)
- Vanilla
- Pecans (optional)
- Marshmallows (optional)
- Maple syrup (optional)
- Corn syrup (optional)
- Pineapple juice (optional)
- Orange juice, water, apple juice, or apple cider (optional)
The recipe can also be made dairy-free by using a vegan butter substitute.
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Reheating and storing yams
Storing your candied yams is easy. Simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze candied yams in an airtight container for up to three months.
When you're ready to eat your frozen yams, let them thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat them in the microwave or oven. To reheat in the oven, place the candied yams in a casserole dish and warm them at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
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Yam substitutions
When it comes to making candied yams in a crock pot, it is important to note that true yams and sweet potatoes are not interchangeable. True yams are tough, starchy tubers with bark-like skin and white flesh, and are typically used in savoury dishes. They are native to Africa and parts of Asia, and while they may resemble sweet potatoes, they are not as easily available in American grocery stores.
However, sweet potatoes are often labelled as yams, and can be used in crock pot candied "yam" recipes. The Beauregard and Garnet varieties of sweet potatoes, for example, are bred for sweet dishes.
When preparing the sweet potatoes, peel them with a vegetable peeler and chop them into bite-sized pieces. You can also add a 1/4 cup of orange juice for a citrus note or substitute half of the brown sugar with maple syrup for a fall flavour with less sugar.
To make crock pot candied yams, put the sweet potato pieces, brown sugar, spices, butter, and salt into the crock pot. Close the lid and set it on high for 3-4 hours, stirring after about 2 hours. The yams are ready when they are tender.
For a thicker sauce, you can remove the sauce and cook it on a stovetop before adding it back into the crock pot.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook candied yams in a crock pot for 3-4 hours on a high setting.
You should preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to reheat candied yams.
Place the candied yams in a casserole dish and warm them in the oven for 10 minutes.
Try not to stir the yams too much when reheating them in the oven to prevent them from falling apart.
