Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 45 minutes
Rating
4(780)
Notes
Read community notes

Here's a simple way prepare a favorite Thanksgiving side. Just bake the potatoes, peel and slice, then drench them in a butter-cider-maple syrup mixture that's been seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and orange zest. Bake until bubbly and the edges brown.

Featured in: Sweet Potatoes Made Even Sweeter

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Ingredients

Yield:10 to 12 servings

  • 5large sweet potatoes (3½ pounds)
  • cup maple syrup
  • cup apple cider
  • 3tablespoons butter
  • 1cinnamon stick
  • 2whole cloves
  • 1teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)

134 calories; 3 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 26 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 54 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe (2)

Preparation

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  1. Step

    1

    To cook the sweet potatoes, wash them and prick all over with a fork. Wrap in foil and bake in a 375-degree oven until very tender. This can take anywhere from 50 minutes to 1½ hours, depending upon the girth of the potato. Thinner ones cook more quickly. Cool. Peel just before using.

  2. Step

    2

    Heat oven to 400 degrees.

  3. Step

    3

    In a small pot, combine syrup, cider, butter, cinnamon, cloves and orange zest. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until somewhat thickened, about 15 minutes. Pour syrup over sliced sweet potatoes and bake, uncovered, until bubbling and brown, 25 to 40 minutes.

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780

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Julie

I have made these several times. I don't bake the sweet potatoes first. I just cut them up and pour the syrup over them. I cook them covered for about 30 minutes and then uncovered till the syrup is thick.

Brian K.

This recipe is not actually candied. True Candied Sweet Potatoes must start with RAW, peeled, sliced or halved potatoes. The other ingredients are fine but I prefer a more caramel flavor by adding light brown sugar. When you candy something you are exchanging the moisture in the potato for the flavor mixture, this can't be accomplished if you pre-cook the potatoes as the starch and proteins have already broken down.

Maryland mom

I sliced raw (peel on) sweet potatoes and layered in a roasting pan. Made almost 3x the amount of glaze. Cooked covered for one hour and almost as long again uncovered while basting often. Reserved about 3/4 cup of glaze to add back in towards the end once the liquid started disappearing. I was left with almost no liquid and very candied potatoes. Beautiful in color and taste!

Nancy Bonetti

I do the exact same thing for Thanksgiving. BUT, I peel the potatoes uncooked, slice as shown, dot with butter S&P, nutmeg. Cover with foil and bake til half tender. Then I add the syrup and finish baking uncovered.

mrs. charles

Just made these for Thanksgiving. Used fresh-squeezed juice from oranges and tangerines because I was out of apple cider. Omitted the orange zest, added a splash of bourbon. So delicious I may never do them with the cider!

David

Do you peel prior to cutting and baking, or do you unpeel them afterwards?

Jason W

Made this today, as directed, and loved it. I found that it needed salt at the table, so planning to add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt when I make this saving next week. My new favorite thanksgiving sweet potato dish. The orange zest is a must. I also think some fresh grated ginger would be an interesting addition.

Susan

Yes I did that and they turned out just fine....

Nicole

This recipe is delicious! I add some chopped pecans when baking in Step 3 to make the texture a bit more interesting and dynamic.

joy

Next time I will not bake sweets before. I also added a Fuji apple which made it really delicious. Just tucked it in amid potatoes.

David

An interesting variation on this is to add some pureed chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (or just the adobo sauce) to the glaze - a couple of tablespoons. The sweetness offsets the heat. It is a nice combination.

Aron

As others have pointed out, no need to pre-cook the potatoes. I used a pinch of ground cinnamon instead of the stick and a pinch of ground clove. I didn't have time to reduce and it worked out just fine.

Sande

This is the best sweet potato I've ever made - adds sweetness without a thick syrup. I followed others' advice and just peeled and sliced the sweet potatoes without precooking and it worked fine.

Cynthia

I followed the recipe and layered the rings, slightly overlapping in a casserole dish. When they were done, the syrup had bubbled up from the bottom almost halfway. This gave a glazed bottom and a plain top to the rings, as though they were dipped. They were delicious. The family wants them for the next fall holiday!

wish i had read the notes!

Pre baked and clearly didn't need to! Used cardamom and ginger in the sauce, and it was great. Will make again!

Abigail

I put the potatoes in the oven for about 20 minutes, covered with foil and dotted with about 2 tbsp of butter, while the syrup was ready. I doubled the amount of liquids, keeping the other ingredients the same. Baked for about 40 minutes more, basting 2-3 times. They turned out great.

lorraine

Use double to triple amount of glaze

wish i had read the notes!

Pre baked and clearly didn't need to! Used cardamom and ginger in the sauce, and it was great. Will make again!

Tali212

Can this be made completely the day before, or just to before you add the syrup?

Jennifer

I love this recipe. Has anyone made the syrup a few days in advance and then heat it up before pouring over the potatoes?

Stephen j gordon

You can cook a large sweet potato in the microwave in about eight minutes. The drizzle any combination of wonderful things over it, butter,honey,yogurt, maple syrup, sweet molasses, top with banana or berries, raisins, nuts, etc, and have a marvelous dish in 10-15 minutes.

Nancy Bonetti

I do the exact same thing for Thanksgiving. BUT, I peel the potatoes uncooked, slice as shown, dot with butter S&P, nutmeg. Cover with foil and bake til half tender. Then I add the syrup and finish baking uncovered.

CarolG

I followed the recipe (unusual for me!). Roasted the sweet potatoes because I think roasted veggies ALWAYS are better, no matter what. Made for Thanksgiving this year after I declared "I'm not making another vegetable!" It was sooo easy and delish!

joy

Next time I will not bake sweets before. I also added a Fuji apple which made it really delicious. Just tucked it in amid potatoes.

Marqua1

Be really careful not to overcook the sweet potatoes in the oven!

Maureen

...because they might burst and leak onto the oven floor (even through the foil), not an easy clean-up.

Aron

As others have pointed out, no need to pre-cook the potatoes. I used a pinch of ground cinnamon instead of the stick and a pinch of ground clove. I didn't have time to reduce and it worked out just fine.

David

An interesting variation on this is to add some pureed chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (or just the adobo sauce) to the glaze - a couple of tablespoons. The sweetness offsets the heat. It is a nice combination.

Nicole

This recipe is delicious! I add some chopped pecans when baking in Step 3 to make the texture a bit more interesting and dynamic.

Glenn

Quicker version, peel and slice the sweet potatoes, boil until done (10-15 min), layer in casserole dish. Follow recipe to finish. I have found that the amount of sauce is just right for 2 large sweet potatoes.

Cynthia

I followed the recipe and layered the rings, slightly overlapping in a casserole dish. When they were done, the syrup had bubbled up from the bottom almost halfway. This gave a glazed bottom and a plain top to the rings, as though they were dipped. They were delicious. The family wants them for the next fall holiday!

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Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between candied yams and candied sweet potatoes? ›

Yams and sweet potatoes differ in flavor and appearance, and they are not related. Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family, while yams belong to the lily family. Yams aren't as sweet as sweet potatoes, and they are starchier and drier. Their texture and flavor are more similar to potatoes or yuca.

Why are my candied sweet potatoes watery? ›

Drain the syrup: This is a key move so your candied yams don't turn out runny due to too much liquid in the baking dish. Place the drained yams into a medium baking dish. Dice the butter: Cut the cold butter into small pieces and distribute them evenly over the yams.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Should you boil sweet potatoes before baking? ›

In other words… do sweet potatoes need parboiling before roasting? Absolutely not. While many might choose to parboil the sweet potatoes before cooking for a shorter cooking time, we advise against it. Roasting sweet potatoes bring out their caramelized flavor yet leave the inside soft and custardy.

Which is healthier sweet potato or yam? ›

Although both veggies are very close in fiber, protein, vitamin C, and magnesium, sweet potatoes are the healthier option because they are lower in overall calories, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in beta carotene (vitamin A).

Which is better for baking sweet potatoes or yams? ›

If you're able to find true yams in your supermarket, they can be prepared just like your favorite potato recipes—boiled, roasted, baked, or fried. But if sweet, candied recipes are what you're after, you probably want to stick to using sweet potatoes.

What happens when you soak sweet potatoes in water? ›

It's not necessary to soak sliced sweet potatoes before frying, but if you do soak them, they will come out crispier. Soaking sweet potatoes in cold water will help release the starch, making them more available to crisp up.

Why are my candied yams hard? ›

If you are starting out with fresh, uncooked yams/sweet potatoes, your syrup may be hardening because you are leaving the dish in the oven too long a time, in order for the yams to get done.

What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes? ›

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

Should you wash sweet potato before baking? ›

Sweet potatoes grow in the ground, and skipping the cleaning step means dirt or grit can end up in your sweet potato casserole. Before cooking or cutting sweet potatoes, wash the skins and give them a scrub with a clean vegetable brush.

Is it better to peel sweet potatoes before or after boiling? ›

There is not much difference between boiling sweet potatoes with the skins on versus peeling them, but you will get a boost of fiber and potassium if you keep the skin on. The skin also adds a subtle texture to each bite. If you're looking for a smoother mash, peel the potatoes first before boiling.

What brings out the flavor of sweet potatoes? ›

Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness.

Is it better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking? ›

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps in a few ways. It prevents the exterior of the tuber from drying out and overheating too quickly, which would minimize enzymatic activity; it also results in a more evenly cooked texture.

Why are they called candied yams if they are sweet potatoes? ›

In the 1930s, a new orange version was cultivated, and to differentiate it from the white sweet potatoes, farmers borrowed the slang phrase "yams" that slaves from West Africa had used to describe them. Sweet potatoes reminded them of an African vegetable called nyami (watch Alton Brown's segment on this here).

Do yams and sweet potatoes taste the same? ›

Sweet potatoes tend to have a more tapered shape and may be firm or soft with thinner skin. Generally, sweet potatoes taste sweeter than yams. You will more readily encounter sweet potatoes during your regular grocery run, but if you spot a yam, which may be labeled "sweet potato," you'll know the truth.

Why are yams not called sweet potatoes? ›

True yams are part of an entirely different genus (Dioscorea; sweet potatoes belong to Ipomoea in the morning glory family) and are more akin to yuca in texture and flavor. Yams are commonly used in Caribbean and West African cooking and can grow as long and thick as an adult arm.

Can you tell me the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? ›

Yams are starchy and have a rough, brown exterior. They can grow up to 45 feet long and are eaten in parts of Latin America, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia. Sweet potatoes are a New World root vegetable and have a softer, reddish skin and a creamier, often darker interior.

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