Caramelized Sweet Potatoes (Candied Yam Recipe)
Golden, buttery, and kissed with cinnamon — these caramelized sweet potatoes are the ultimate holiday side you’ll want to eat all year long.
Caramelized sweet potatoes, also called candied yams, are a delicious side dish made by baking sweet potatoes in a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze. They are perfect for holiday meals!
For more yummy sweet potato recipes, try this sweet potato casserole with orange juice and this sweet potato recipe with granny smith apples too.
When the holidays roll around, there are certain dishes you just can’t skip — like the perfect roast, questionable fruitcakes, and, of course, sweet potatoes.
Our family has been serving up some form of sweet potato for as long as I can remember, and honestly, I’m convinced they’re the real star of the meal. Baked, roasted, or mashed yams, with toppings galore, there are just so many options!
Now, for today’s roasted sweet potato recipe, forget the marshmallows — these crispy caramelized sweet potatoes are smothered in a delicious glaze, baked until tender, and taste like a warm hug. The sweet maple and citrus flavors make them irresistible, whether you serve them at Thanksgiving dinner or on a random Tuesday.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This caramelized sweet potato dish is sweet, buttery, and spiced just right. The glaze of butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and orange juice bakes right into the potatoes for the perfect sticky, rich finish.
Plus, it’s a gluten free side dish that pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, chicken, or even a perfectly grilled steak. And it works for any dinner, from holidays to weeknights.
You may not know that, whether they were referred to as yams or sweet potatoes, most of us have likely been enjoying sweet potatoes at family dinners. True yams are not as sweet and have much rougher skin, almost like tree bark.
There is a good reason that candied yams are a favorite Thanksgiving side dish for so many. I know you’re going to love this recipe for caramelized baked sweet potatoes too.
This sweet potato side dish uses simple ingredients that you probably have on hand already. It is just the thing for your holiday dinner or family get-togethers and pairs perfectly with chicken, turkey, or a delicious Traeger smoked ham.
Traditionally, sweet potato sides are often topped with mini marshmallows or nuts, but these candied sweet potatoes are next level. The natural sugar in the tender sweet potatoes, combined with a delicious sauce, creates an end result that is to die for!
Cooking up that delicious glaze does leave you with an extra step, but it is totally worth it.
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Baked Caramelized Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- Large sweet potatoes – About 3 lbs.or 8 cups, peeled and cubed. Use orange or white; both get equally dreamy in the oven.
- Salted butter – The base of that rich, silky glaze. If you use unsalted butter, you may want to add a pinch of salt to the sauce.
- Maple syrup – Nature’s candy, adding deep caramel flavor.
- Dark brown sugar – The higher molasses content means richer flavor, but light brown works too.
- Orange juice – Fresh-squeezed if you can; it brightens the whole dish.
- Cinnamon – Warm and holiday-perfect.
- Nutmeg – Just enough to make you feel like a baking pro.
- Ground ginger – For a little zip.
- Pure vanilla extract – Rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
- Orange zest – Adds an extra citrusy punch.
Instructions
1. Peel and dice the potatoes into bite-sized cubes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. Grease a large casserole dish and fill with the cubed sweet potatoes.oes.
4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange juice, and spices together.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
6. Keep at a rolling boil, whisking constantly, until the sauce begins to caramelize and thicken (about 8–10 minutes). It should start to come away on a whisk or spoon. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and orange zest.
7. Pour the caramel mixture over the potatoes. Stir to coat all of the potato pieces.
8. Bake for 30 minutes, stir, then bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.
9. Remove from the oven. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
10. Serve with your favorite holiday dishes.
Tips and Tricks
- Be sure to use a sharp knife when prepping, as sweet potatoes can be tough to cut.
- Always scrub sweet potato skins thoroughly before peeling to remove any dirt or residue.
- For a fancier look, use sweet potato slices instead of cubes. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Lining your baking dish with parchment paper makes cleanup easier.
- To make ahead, prep the glaze and potatoes separately, then bake before serving.
- Swap maple syrup for honey for a slightly different sweetness.
- Store leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Try tossing leftovers into a salad for a sweet-salty flavor combo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?
In the U.S., most “yams” are actually sweet potatoes. True yams are starchier, less sweet, and have rough, bark-like skin.
Can you tell me how to soften sweet potatoes for cutting?
Microwave them for 1–2 minutes or boil for a few minutes before cutting to make slicing easier.
What temperature should you bake sweet potatoes at?
For cubed or sliced sweet potatoes, 350°F to 400°F works well. Whole sweet potatoes usually bake at 400°F for 45–60 minutes.
Can I make caramelized sweet potatoes on the stovetop?
Yes, cook the potatoes in a skillet with the glaze over medium heat, stirring often, until tender and caramelized.
How long do leftovers last?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Can you grill yams for this recipe?
Yes — grill yams over medium heat until tender, then brush with the caramel glaze for a smoky twist on these oven baked caramelized sweet potatoes.
Add a new recipe to your Thanksgiving table this year with these delicious candied yams. It’s the kind of dish that makes you wish you made a double batch.
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Caramelized Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes 3 lbs. or about 8 cups, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a large casserole dish and fill with the cubed sweet potatoes.
- In a medium sauce pan, melt butter, syrup, sugar, orange juice, and spices together.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Keep at a rolling boil, whisking constantly, until the sauce begins to caramelize. You will start to see it thicken and come away on a whisk or spoon. This can take up to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla and zest.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the potatoes. Stir to coat all of the potato pieces.
- Bake for 30 minutes, stir, then bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.
- Remove from the oven. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Serve with your favorite holiday dishes.
Notes
- Be sure to use a sharp knife when prepping, as sweet potatoes can be tough to cut.
- Always scrub sweet potato skins thoroughly before peeling to remove any dirt or residue.
- For a fancier look, use sweet potato slices instead of cubes. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Lining your baking dish with parchment paper makes cleanup easier.
- To make ahead, prep the glaze and potatoes separately, then bake before serving.
- Swap maple syrup for honey for a slightly different sweetness.
- Store leftover sweet potato casserole in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Try tossing leftovers into a salad for a sweet-salty flavor combo.
Nutrition
