Candied Sweet Potatoes

This old-fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe only requires 3 ingredients, so it’s super easy to make! Slices of sweet potatoes are coated in a sweet and buttery glaze, then baked in the oven until soft and mouth-wateringly delicious. This classic sweet potato side dish is a must for Thanksgiving!

What’s in this Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe?

You only need 3 basic ingredients to make candied sweet potatoes (plus a pinch of salt). It’s such an easy recipe, and sure to please everyone at the table.

Sweet Potatoes: This vegetable is the star of this side dish.
Butter: Use salted butter to make the “candy” mixture–it creates a rich and buttery sauce!
Powdered Sugar: I prefer confectioner’s sugar for the sauce because it’s light and doesn’t get grainy.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the flavors.

Pro Tip: Boil the potatoes whole, then peel and slice after they’ve cooled.

Variations on Baked Candied Sweet Potatoes

These easy candied sweet potatoes are such a simple recipe–you don’t need much to make them taste good! But if you like, you can add some other ingredients into the sauce, like vanilla extract, maple syrup, or orange zest. You can also sprinkle something on top before baking, like cinnamon (or nutmeg or allspice), chopped pecans, or fresh rosemary or thyme.

A series of photos showing how to make candied sweet potatoes.

What are candied sweet potatoes?

Slices of sweet potatoes are cooked in a glaze, made of butter and sugar, that gives them a “candied” effect, like caramelization. They taste rich, buttery, and sweet.

Can you boil sweet potatoes with skin on?

Yes! You can boil sweet potatoes whole, with the skin still on. Peel and slice them after boiling, when they are softer and easier to handle.

How do you make the candy glaze for sweet potatoes?

Making the glaze for these candied sweet potatoes is simple. Just melt butter in a saucepan, then whisk in a bit of sugar and salt until everything is fully melted and combined.

How long do you bake candied sweet potatoes?

This sweet potato recipe only takes 25-30 minutes to bake in the oven at 450°F. Boiling them first keeps the oven-time down!

How thick should I slice sweet potatoes for this recipe?

Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch slices. This is the perfect thickness to make them soft and tender–thicker and they’d need to cook longer, thinner and they’ll get too mushy.

Are candied sweet potatoes and candied yams the same thing?

Yams are a different type of potato, with white flesh and brown skin. However, sweet potatoes are often sold as “yams”, so in North America, you’ll likely end up with the same thing. That means candied yams are often the same thing as candied sweet potatoes.

A close up of candied sweet potatoes with thyme sprigs.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze these candy sweet potatoes in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

These baked candied sweet potatoes are a classic Thanksgiving side dish that pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, creamed corn, ambrosia salad, and the rest of your holiday favorites.

A glass dish with candied sweet potatoes in it.

Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

These super easy, 3-ingredient candied sweet potatoes are baked in a buttery glaze, making the most delicious side dish.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 10

Servings

Calories 654kcal

Author Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Ingredients

3 lbs. sweet potatoes scrubbed
½ cup 1 stick salted butter
1 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
Pinch salt Kosher salt or Flaked Sea Salt

Instructions

Boil sweet potatoes until fork-tender, 30-45 minutes depending upon their size. Drain and set aside until cool to the touch.

3 lbs. sweet potatoes
Preheat oven to 450°F and spray a 2-quart baking dish. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2” slices. Place potato slices in one layer in the dish, slightly overlapping slices.
Melt butter in a small saucepan then add sugar and salt. Whisk until ingredients are incorporated and smooth.

½ cup 1 stick salted butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, Pinch salt
Pour evenly over the potatoes. Bake at 450°F for 25-30 minutes (they should be fully glazed and still shiny).
Enjoy!