14 Can't-Miss Candied Yam and Sweet Potato Recipes

Slow Cooker Candied Yams
Photo: Yoly

Whether you call them yams or sweet potatoes, we can all agree that these brightly colored root vegetables are delicious. They especially shine during the holiday season, where they take on nearly every form imaginable: casserole, pie, thick spears, and mashes. But you can't have a holiday meal without one very specific type of sweet potatoes: candied yams. These candied sweet potato and yam recipes feature all the flavors you're looking for — orange juice, marshmallows, and brown sugar blend with the veggies' innate sweetness, while butter brings in savory notes. Show up to the family dinner with one of these candied yam or sweet potato recipes and everyone — we mean everyone — will be glad.

01 of 15

Candied Sweet Potatoes

closeup of browned marshmallow-topped sweet potato in a white bowl
cheri

More than 700 five-star reviews don't lie — this candied sweet potato recipe is sweet and easy and will undoubtedly be a hit at your holiday table. If you've got an extra day, prep and boil the sweet potatoes in advance and let them sit in the fridge for 24 hours before baking. This will enable the syrup to go all the way through the potatoes.

02 of 15

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes in a clear container
bobagirl

"Finally," says community member HONEYROSE. "After years of the frustration of having watery sweet potatoes and not being sweet enough...I come across this recipe! Now I can serve my candied yams with pride. I never thought I'd be able to make them 'candied.' And I never thought to cook them in an iron skillet."

03 of 15

Grandma Tolli's Candied Yams

Grandma Tolli's Candied Yams
Cupcakes and Cutlery

Recipe creator ntolliver213's grandmother figured out a genius way to bring both sweetness and substance to candied yams: canned pineapple chunks. The sweet notes from the pineapple chunks and juice perfectly complement the traditional cinnamon and nutmeg.

04 of 15

Slow Cooker Candied Yams

Slow Cooker Candied Yams
Yoly

Allrecipes Allstar Yoly developed this straightforward slow cooker recipe to help combat one of Thanksgiving's biggest challenges — not having enough oven space. These yams can be made 2 to 3 days in advance and microwaved just before serving.

05 of 15

Candied Yams and Marshmallows

Candied Yams and Marshmallows
Natalie B.

This candied yams recipe slightly deviates from the classic formula and it's a touch on the sweeter side, but it still yields delicious results. If you want something a little less sweet, reduce the amount of brown sugar to yield less syrup.

06 of 15

Sweet Potato-Cashew Bake

Sweet Potato-Cashew Bake
mauigirl

If you want to bring something different in place of the standard sweet potato dish, this sweet potato bake made with brown sugar, spices, cashews, and mini marshmallows is a fantastic alternative. Additionally, it's a great compromise — people who prefer their sweet potatoes with marshmallows can stick to the top layer, while the brown sugar and nuts camp can enjoy the lower layer.

07 of 15

Chef John's Candied Yams

Chef John's Candied Yams
Photo by Chef John.

Chef John's twist on candied yams relies on fresh squeezed lemon juice instead of orange juice for sweetness. It's a welcome change from the typically saccharine side dish and pairs well with savory mains such as pork shoulder.

08 of 15

Grandma's Red Hot Southern Sweet Potatoes

Grandma Tolli's Candied Yams
Megan

"This is clever, unique, and delicious," says community member Chrissy DeCosmo Fessler. "I had a feeling this would be good but this was wow! I highly recommend giving this a try especially if you love cinnamon and sweet potatoes. It's almost like a dessert. It was easy to make too."

09 of 15

Candied Yams

Candied Yams
Photo by jazgbl.

Before putting these candied yams in the oven, lightly dust them, butter and all, with ground cinnamon. It'll add even more taste to an easy, reliable recipe. For easier cleanup, make this in a disposable foil pan; that way, you don't have to worry about marshmallows sticking to your bakeware.

10 of 15

Yummy Candied Yams

Yummy Candied Yams
Oluwa Kemi

If you've never made candied yams before, this simple recipe is a great place to start. With four ingredients and incredibly straightforward directions, this candied yams recipe is pretty much foolproof.

11 of 15

Candied Yams Casserole with Pecans

Candied Yams Casserole With Pecans
William Dawson

This recipe takes the taste of candied yams and incorporates it into a casserole — essentially, it's two Thanksgiving staples in one. It's almost a dessert in disguise and comes together in just under an hour.

12 of 15

Instant Pot® Candied Sweet Potatoes

candied sweet potatoes in turquoise bowl
Chef Mo

Need to candy some sweet potatoes in a hurry? These pressure cooker candied sweet potatoes come together in just 30 minutes and deliver spot-on sweetness. If you don't have any maple syrup on hand, molasses or pancake syrup will also do the trick.

13 of 15

Slow Cooker Candied Purple Yams

Slow Cooker Candied Purple Yams
Yoly

If you're looking for an easy twist on the traditional holiday side, try candying ube, also known as purple yams, for a pop of color. Top with shredded coconut for a touch of texture.

14 of 15

Mom's Candied Yams with Caramel

Mom's Candied Yams with Caramel
ma12iokart

"I took my mom's childhood candied yam recipe and added a layer of caramel," says creator TheEnvyOfKings. "It is now a must at every Thanksgiving and Christmas and is often requested with much anticipation by anyone who has had it. One recipe will serve 6, but barely. I promise there won't be leftovers."

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