Cody Casey
Sweet potatoes are a great, healthy side dish for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or holidays. They can be cooked in a crock pot with minimal effort and no prep time aside from washing them. The cooking time depends on the number of potatoes and their size, but generally, they can be cooked on low for 7-10 hours or on high for 3-5 hours. The potatoes are done when they are soft and can be easily pierced with a knife. This method produces creamy and smooth potatoes that are unlikely to dry out. They can be mashed or pureed for a silky smooth texture that is great for baby food or as a side dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recipe type | Side dish, baby food |
| Prep time | Zero |
| Cook time | 3.5-4 hours on high, 8 hours on low |
| Ingredients | Sweet potatoes, olive oil (optional) |
| Utensils | Crock pot, tongs or pot holders |
| Recipe steps | Wash and dry sweet potatoes, prick with a fork, cook on high or low heat, mash or blend |
| Serving suggestions | Top with chicken, or choice of protein or toppings |
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Cooking time
The cooking time for sweet potatoes in a crock pot depends on the desired texture and the heat setting. On low heat, sweet potatoes will be ready in 7 to 10 hours, resulting in soft and tender potatoes. If you're in a hurry, you can cook them on high heat for 3 to 5 hours. However, it's important to note that cooking on high heat for a shorter duration may require adding water to the crock pot to prevent burning.
To achieve the desired level of doneness, it's recommended to start checking the potatoes after about 3 to 4 hours on high heat or around 7 hours on low heat. The potatoes are ready when they can be easily pierced with a knife or fork. Aim for a soft and tender texture, but be careful not to overcook them.
The cooking time can also vary depending on the size of the potatoes. It's advisable to use potatoes of similar size to ensure even cooking. If you're cooking a large batch, such as 6 to 7 medium-sized potatoes, the cooking time will be on the longer side.
Additionally, the cooking time can be influenced by whether you wrap the potatoes in foil. Wrapping them in foil and cooking on high heat for 4 to 5 hours or on low heat for 8 to 10 hours will yield soft and tender potatoes. However, if you choose not to use foil, adjust the cooking time accordingly as the direct contact with the crock pot may affect the cooking speed.
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Toppings and proteins
Sweet potatoes cooked in a crock pot are a great base for a variety of toppings and proteins. The beauty of this dish is its versatility, allowing you to create either a sweet or savoury meal.
For a savoury option, try topping your crock pot sweet potatoes with shredded chicken, such as from a Crockpot BBQ Chicken or Healthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken recipe. You can also use your favourite taco meat and toppings, or skip the bun and top with Homemade Sloppy Joes meat. For a vegetarian option, try sour cream or plain Greek yoghurt, green onions, and chives.
If you have a sweet tooth, you can create a delicious dessert-style dish with butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon. For a sweeter side dish, add a little milk, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic to your mashed sweet potatoes.
The possibilities are endless, so get creative and experiment with your favourite combinations. You can batch cook the sweet potatoes and store them for easy, filling, and hearty dinners throughout the week.
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Potato size
When cooking sweet potatoes in a crock pot, it is important to consider the size of the potatoes, as the cooking time can vary depending on their size. It is recommended to use potatoes that are similar in size to ensure even cooking. For example, if you are cooking 4 to 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes, you can expect them to be done in about 8 hours on low heat or 3 to 4 hours on high heat.
If you are cooking a larger number of sweet potatoes, such as 6 to 7 medium-sized potatoes, the cooking time will be longer. In this case, it is best to cook them on low heat for 8 to 10 hours or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours. By cooking them on low heat for a longer period of time, you can ensure that the potatoes are thoroughly cooked and softened.
On the other hand, if you are short on time, you can cook the sweet potatoes on high heat. For example, if you are cooking 1 to 2 sweet potatoes, you can cook them on high heat for 3 to 4 hours or on low heat for 8 hours. Cooking them on high heat will reduce the cooking time by almost half, but it is important to note that you will need to add some water to the bottom of the crock pot to prevent burning.
Additionally, it is important to note that the size of the crock pot can also affect the cooking time. If you are using a small crock pot, you may only be able to cook one sweet potato at a time, and the cooking time may be shorter. It is always a good idea to check the potatoes periodically to ensure they do not overcook.
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Potato preparation
Preparing sweet potatoes for cooking in a croc pot is a simple and quick process. The first step is to select the sweet potatoes. Choose ones that are similar in size to ensure even cooking. The number of sweet potatoes you select depends on the size of your croc pot. You can cook about 4 to 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes at once in a large croc pot.
Once you have selected your sweet potatoes, wash them thoroughly under running water and dry them completely. Then, use a fork to prick each sweet potato a few times. This helps steam escape during the cooking process.
At this point, you have the option to drizzle the sweet potatoes with olive oil. Rub the olive oil over the entire surface of each potato. This adds flavour and moisture to the potatoes. Wrap each potato in aluminium foil, ensuring they are completely covered. However, if you don't have any aluminium foil available, you can cook the sweet potatoes without it.
Place the prepared sweet potatoes in a single layer at the bottom of your croc pot to ensure even cooking. Avoid stacking them on top of each other. If you are cooking a large number of sweet potatoes, you may need to cook them in batches.
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Potato storage
Storing potatoes correctly can help to prevent them from sprouting and keep them fresh for longer. Here are some tips for storing potatoes:
Temperature
The ideal temperature for storing potatoes is between 45°F to 50°F (approximately 7-10°C). If stored at a lower temperature, such as in a refrigerator, the starch in the potatoes will convert to sugar, negatively affecting their taste and cooking performance. This process is known as cold-induced sweetening and can cause the potatoes to turn brown and develop a bitter taste when cooked. On the other hand, if potatoes are stored at a temperature above 55°F, they will dehydrate and sprout.
Light
Potatoes should be stored in a dark place, such as a pantry, basement, or cupboard. Exposure to sunlight or even fluorescent lighting can cause the potatoes to turn green, wrinkle, and rot.
Airflow
Potatoes need good airflow to stay fresh. Storing them in a well-ventilated area can help prevent them from spoiling.
Produce to Avoid
Potatoes should not be stored with ethylene-producing foods such as onions, apples, bananas, tomatoes, and avocados. These foods can cause potatoes to spoil more quickly and develop an off-flavor.
Storage Containers
Potatoes should be stored in a box or paper bag. Avoid using plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause the potatoes to spoil.
Leftover Cooked Potatoes
Leftover cooked sweet potatoes should be stored in the fridge and eaten within three to four days. To prevent bacteria growth, allow the potatoes to cool for no more than two hours before refrigerating. You can speed up the cooling process by portioning the potatoes into sealed plastic bags and submerging them in an ice bath or spreading them out on a metal tray placed over a larger tray of ice water.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash the sweet potatoes and add them to the crock pot. You can stack them, but they may not cook evenly. Cook on low for 7-10 hours or on high for 3-5 hours.
You can serve them as a side, or mash them and use them in other recipes. You can also slice them down the middle and add toppings such as butter, cinnamon, or chilli.
Smaller sweet potatoes tend to fit better in the crock pot. It is recommended to use potatoes of similar size to ensure even cooking.
Yes, you can cook sweet and regular potatoes at the same time in the crock pot.
