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Home » Side Dishes » Candied Sweet Potatoes

Published: October 31, 2022 Last Modified: October 31, 2022 By Sara 31 Comments

Candied Sweet Potatoes

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These candied sweet potatoes are tossed in a mixture of butter, brown sugar and spices, then are roasted until caramelized.
These candied sweet potatoes are tossed in a mixture of butter, brown sugar and spices, then are roasted until caramelized.
These candied sweet potatoes are tossed in a mixture of butter, brown sugar and spices, then are roasted until caramelized.

These candied sweet potatoes are tossed in a mixture of butter, brown sugar and spices, then are roasted until caramelized. A simple yet satisfying side dish that’s the perfect accompaniment to chicken, pork, turkey and beef.

Sweet potatoes are a staple on holiday menus, and this candied version is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this vegetable. Serve your potatoes alongside roast turkey and corn casserole for a memorable and delicious meal.

A spoon serving up a portion of candied sweet potatoes.

Candied sweet potatoes are a must-have during the fall and winter months. These potatoes are quick enough to put together on a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough for company. You can even customize your sweet potatoes by adding a variety of flavors and toppings.

Candied sweet potatoes ingredients

Bowls of ingredients including sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar and seasonings.

This recipe consists of sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.

How do you make candied sweet potatoes?

Candied sweet potatoes are very easy to make. First, cut up some sweet potatoes into slices or chunks and put them in a baking dish. Make a sauce by mixing together brown sugar, butter and spices. Pour that delicious sauce over the sweet potatoes and toss them until coated. Bake the sweet potatoes until the sugar is caramelized and golden and the sweet potatoes are tender, then serve and enjoy!

Step by step process shots showing how to make candied sweet potatoes.

Tips for the perfect dish

  • As the sweet potatoes bake, be sure to stir them every 15 minutes so that they cook evenly.
  • Don’t use the tips of the sweet potatoes, those small pieces may burn in the oven.
  • For this recipe you want to use any orange or red fleshed sweet potatoes like jewel or garnet sweet potatoes.
  • Look for long thin sweet potatoes. They will be easier to cut.
  • Cut your sweet potatoes into similar sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
  • Don’t use pre-cooked canned sweet potatoes. Fresh sweet potatoes work best for this recipe.
  • You can toss the sweet potatoes with the sauce in a bowl and transfer everything to a baking dish if you prefer.
A baking dish filled with candied sweet potatoes.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between sweet potatoes and yams?

Sweet potatoes and the yams in the grocery store are all really sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are sold in many sizes, shapes and colors. In many grocery stores the orange fleshed sweet potatoes are labeled as “yams.” However, these orange sweet potatoes are not true yams. True yams are root vegetables with rough brown exteriors that are grown in parts of Africa and Asia. These yams can be found in some specialty grocery store but are not common.  True yams would not be good for candied sweet potatoes.

Should you boil a sweet potato before baking it?

You do not need to boil your sweet potatoes before you bake them. If you bake them for the correct amount of time they will become tender, boiling is just added work!

A pan of sweet potatoes cooked in butter and sugar.

Flavor variations

Candied sweet potatoes are a fantastic side dish that can really bring a dinner together. However, you can change up this recipe to include some other great flavors.

  • Feel free to use maple syrup instead of brown sugar in the sauce.
  • You can add toppings such as marshmallows, chopped pecans or streusel. To make your own streusel topping, simply mix together 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup of flour, 4 tablespoons of melted butter and 1/4 cup of chopped pecans in a bowl. As you mix the streusel, it will form crumbles. Put those streusel crumbles on the sweet potatoes and the topping will bake up golden brown.
  • For a brighter colored dish with some citrus notes you can add 1/3 cup orange juice and 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the butter mixture.

Sweet potatoes pair well with so many different dishes and are always a huge hit with family and friends. Whether it’s a holiday or a simple every day dinner, you just can’t go wrong with sweet potatoes!

More side dish recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • Green Beans with Bacon
  • Roasted Green Beans
  • Sautéed Asparagus
  • Sautéed Mushrooms
A spoon serving up a portion of candied sweet potatoes.
Print Pin
5 from 20 votes

Candied Sweet Potatoes

These candied sweet potatoes are tossed in a mixture of butter, brown sugar and spices, then are roasted until caramelized. A simple yet satisfying side dish that's the perfect accompaniment to chicken, pork, turkey and beef.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 321kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds sweet potatoes peeled, halved and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9"x13" pan or 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place the sweet potatoes in an even layer in the dish.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
  • Pour the brown sugar mixture over the sweet potatoes. Toss to coat them evenly in the sauce.
  • Bake the sweet potatoes for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 15-20 minutes, until tender and caramelized. Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. Don’t use the tips of the sweet potatoes, those small pieces tend to get overdone or burn in the oven.
  2. Cut your sweet potatoes into similar sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
  3. Don’t use pre-cooked canned sweet potatoes. Fresh sweet potatoes work best for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 286mg | Potassium: 789mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 32438IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg
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Filed Under: Christmas, Fall Recipes, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving

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    Comments

    1. Karen says

      November 22, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      Can red hot candies be added?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 23, 2021 at 8:30 am

        I’ve never tried this so I’m not sure if it would work!

        Reply
    2. Alex says

      November 26, 2020 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      Made these for thanksgiving and they were a hit. Sweet but not overly sweet, which is exactly what I was looking for.

      Reply
    3. Melisa says

      March 17, 2020 at 3:38 am

      5 stars
      Made this yesterday & it was a huge hit & SO easy, definitely making again, new go to recipe lol thanks for sharing 🥰

      Reply
    4. Kathy says

      December 19, 2019 at 1:38 am

      A hit! I added some canned pineapple tidbits to the mix Super easy and really good.

      Reply
    5. Rebecca Kramer says

      November 27, 2019 at 1:07 pm

      I just made these for Thanksgiving 2019. I have been mak8ng candied sweet potatoes for over 50 years and these are the best. I will never use amy other recipe. Thand you.

      Reply
    6. Dana says

      November 26, 2019 at 11:59 am

      Can I make them ahead?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 27, 2019 at 8:21 am

        Yes that’s fine, reheat in the oven or on the stovetop!

        Reply
    7. Karen says

      November 22, 2019 at 2:31 pm

      Can you make these ahead of time ? And how?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 22, 2019 at 3:34 pm

        You can, reheat them covered until they’re warmed through, then uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes!

        Reply
    8. Jennie says

      November 18, 2019 at 10:11 am

      Hi wondering if anyone knows how many people 4 pounds of sweet potatoes can feed

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 18, 2019 at 12:46 pm

        It will feed 8 people!

        Reply
      • Elizabeth Selsky says

        November 21, 2020 at 5:42 pm

        Can I use light brown sugar

        Reply
        • Sara says

          November 21, 2020 at 7:46 pm

          Yes that’s fine!

          Reply
    9. Hayley says

      September 25, 2019 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      I bet these sweet potatoes just melt in your mouth. They will definitely be on my holiday table this year!

      Reply
    10. Kelly Anthony says

      September 25, 2019 at 10:22 am

      5 stars
      These candied sweet potatoes will be perfect for my kids Thanksgiving potluck. Everyone loves sweet potatoes especially when they are caramelized.

      Reply
    11. susan | the wimpy vegetarian says

      September 25, 2019 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      We’re doing an early family Thanksgiving dinner this year, and candied sweet potatoes are a must! Your photos are absolutely delicious!!

      Reply
    12. Rebecca says

      September 25, 2019 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish! sweet & savory

      Reply
    13. Sara says

      September 25, 2019 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      Tested these out and they are for sure replacing our normal yams this year! Just the right amount of sweetness – I love that there are no marshmallows. Thanks!

      Reply
    14. Catalina says

      September 24, 2019 at 12:43 pm

      What a great idea for a side dish! These seems so easy to make!

      Reply
    15. Lora says

      September 24, 2019 at 3:25 am

      5 stars
      A perfect side dish for the holidays or any time in the fall when you crave candied sweet potatoes!

      Reply
    16. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      September 24, 2019 at 1:57 am

      I know for sure this sweet potato recipe would be a huge hit in my house!

      Reply
    17. jade manning says

      September 24, 2019 at 1:40 am

      5 stars
      I have never tried this before I will have to give this a go!

      Reply
    18. Chrissie Baker says

      September 24, 2019 at 1:05 am

      5 stars
      Love southern food and looking forward to adding this to my holiday menu!

      Reply
    19. Dorothy Reinhold says

      September 23, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      LOVE these sweet potatoes. They will be a great side with so many dishes.

      Reply
    20. Demeter says

      September 23, 2019 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      This is a must have at all of your holiday meals. Never have to worry about leftovers because it’s always a hit.

      Reply
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