Easy Candied Yams Recipe

At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Candied Canned Yams Recipe

This is the easiest way to candy yams – it is quick and simple, and can be used as a base to make your own spin on candied yams!

This recipe uses canned yams, but you can also use pre-cooked sweet potatoes that are soft to the touch but not so soft they fall apart.

Yams are sweet – and great alongside rich, savory dishes like Ribeye Roast, Perfect Spatchcocked Turkey, Easy Smoked Brisket, The Best Pan Fried Ribeye Steaks, and The Best Baked Pork Tenderloin.

We hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

How To Make Candied Yams

This recipe is meant to be a base – so you can customize it with your own herbs and seasonings! This side dish is naturally sweet, but tastes great with spicy additions like cayenne or aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, or fresh herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary.

Yams mix well with walnuts, pecans, macademia nuts, almonds, dates, raisins, and pistachios!

Candied Yams With Pecans

To make this dish with a perfect, delicious crunch, add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to dish and toss – it is fantastic!

Candied Yams With Marshmallows

For an extra sweet topping, top with marshmallows before baking.

picture of canned yams in a dish with pats of butter on top

picture of canned yams in a dish with sugar topping

picture of glazed baked candied yams in a dish

Prep your dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Assemble yams and topping. Add yams to baking dish. Top with pats of softened butter. Sprinkle sugar, salt, and vanilla (and any other spices or herbs you might be using) around pan.
Bake. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes. Give dish a quick stir to evenly toss in sugar and butter. Continue to bake until yams are golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Tips To Perfect Candied Yams

Add crunch. If you want some crunch to this dish, you can mix in pecans, oats, a little flour to make a “crisp” topping, walnuts, or even amaretti cookies!

Add spice. We love this sweet yam dish with a bit of a kick – try adding a dash of cayenne pepper, or some smoked paprika for a smoky but not spicy kick.

Choose the Right Yams: Look for firm, smooth yams without any soft spots. Though what’s often labeled as yams in the U.S. are actually sweet potatoes.

Even Slices: Cut the yams into even slices or chunks. This ensures that they cook evenly.

Pre-Cook the Yams: Boil or steam them first until just tender but not mushy. This step can reduce overall baking time and helps maintain texture.

The Right Amount of Sweetness: Adjust the sugar to your taste. Brown sugar adds a nice depth, but you can also use a mix of brown and white sugar.

Butter is Better: Don’t skimp on the butter. It adds richness and helps the sugar caramelize.

Spice it Up: Common spices include cinnamon and nutmeg. Start with small amounts and adjust according to taste.

Basting: Halfway through baking, baste the yams with the syrupy sauce from the bottom of the pan. This ensures they are evenly coated and flavorful.

Marshmallows or Not: Adding marshmallows on top is a popular choice. If you do, add them in the last few minutes of baking and watch closely to avoid burning.

Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the yams while they’re in the oven. They should be fork-tender but not falling apart.

Rest Before Serving: Let the dish rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows the syrup to thicken a bit more.

Garnish: A sprinkle of toasted pecans or a dash of cinnamon can add a nice finishing touch.

FAQs

Yams are done when the sides and tops have browned slightly.

You can store candied yams in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Yams can be frozen for up to four months.

Typically, it’s a mix of butter, brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Some recipes also use marshmallows.

Yes, adding marshmallows on top and broiling them until golden brown is a popular variation.

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

They generally are, but always check the ingredients, especially if you’re using packaged marshmallows or added sauces.

They’re similar but not exactly the same. Sweet potato casserole often includes a crunchy topping like pecans.

Yes, although the texture might change slightly upon thawing. Freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Yes, you can prepare them a day in advance and reheat in the oven before serving.

What to serve with candied yams

If you’re looking for another easy Thanksgiving side dish recipe to serve with turkey, please check out some of our recent favorites like turkey pot pie, green bean casserole, or one of 30 slow cooker soups for fall!

For more easy side dishes, please visit our Thanksgiving Side Dishes page.