Hello food lovers! Are you looking for a side dish that steals the show? Something warm, comforting, and wonderfully simple to make? You have come to the right place. We are diving into one of my all time favorite Sweet Potato Recipes today. It is a dish that feels special enough for a holiday table but is easy enough for any weeknight dinner.
This recipe is all about bringing out the natural sweetness of the potatoes with a lovely, sticky glaze. It is one of those Vegetable Recipes that even picky eaters tend to enjoy. Let’s get started on making something truly delicious together. You will be so glad you did.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is incredibly easy. Seriously. If you can peel and chop a potato, you are already halfway there. There are no complicated steps or fancy equipment needed. Just a bowl, a casserole dish, and your oven. It’s a wonderful recipe for beginners.
The flavor is just outstanding. The combination of sweet potatoes, brown sugar, maple syrup, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves creates a taste that is pure comfort. The pecans add a satisfying crunch that balances the soft texture of the roasted potatoes perfectly.
It is also very versatile. This is one of those Sweet Potato Side Dishes that pairs well with almost anything. Think roasted chicken, holiday turkey, or even a simple pork loin. It adds a pop of color and a lot of flavor to any meal. It’s a fantastic addition to your collection of sweet potato recipes.
Finally, it looks beautiful. The sweet potatoes get a gorgeous glossy coating from the glaze. The deep orange of the potatoes and the toasted pecans look so inviting sitting on the dinner table. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. These are truly beautiful Candied Sweet Potatoes.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather for these amazing sweet potato recipes. The list is short and sweet, just like the final dish!
- 3 lbs. sweet potatoes
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup pecans
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to cook? Follow these simple steps to create one of the most delicious Sweet Potato Side Dishes you have ever had.
Step 1: Prep The Sweet Potatoes
First things first, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it heats up, you can get the potatoes ready. Go ahead and peel the sweet potatoes. Then, carefully dice them into cubes that are about three quarters of an inch in size. Try to make them all a similar size so they cook evenly.
Once they are all chopped, place the sweet potato cubes into a large casserole dish. An 11 by 15 inch dish or a 5 quart dish works very well for this amount.
Step 2: Create The Sweet Glaze
Now for the yummy part. In a small, microwave safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Add in the cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. These spices are key to that warm, cozy flavor.
Pop the bowl into the microwave for about 30 seconds. You just want the butter to melt. Once it is melted, give it a good stir until everything is combined into a smooth, sweet syrup. Pour this delicious mixture all over the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish. Use a spoon to gently stir and coat every single piece.
Step 3: First Roast
Carefully place the casserole dish into your preheated oven. Let the sweet potatoes roast for 20 minutes. This first roast begins the process of softening the potatoes and starting the caramelization of the glaze.
Step 4: Add Pecans And Final Roast
While the potatoes are in the oven, take a moment to roughly chop your pecans. You do not need them to be perfectly uniform. A variety of sizes adds nice texture. After the 20 minutes are up, carefully take the dish out of the oven.
Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top and give everything another good stir. This ensures the pecans get coated in that wonderful glaze too. Place the dish back into the oven and roast for another 15 to 20 minutes. You will know it is done when the sweet potatoes are very soft and the liquid has reduced down to a thick, sticky candy coating. The whole kitchen will smell amazing!
Serve your Candied Sweet Potatoes hot and enjoy every bite. This is truly one of those standout Vegetable Recipes.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers from this sweet potato recipes adventure, storing them is easy. First, let the sweet potatoes cool down completely to room temperature. This is an important step to prevent them from getting mushy.
Once cooled, transfer them to an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you are ready to enjoy them again, you can gently reheat them in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through. The oven method helps crisp up the pecans again.
Tips
Want to make your Sweet Potato Recipes even better? Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind for this dish.
- Choose the right potatoes. Look for sweet potatoes that are firm with smooth skin. Avoid any with soft spots or cracks. The orange fleshed varieties like Beauregard or Jewel are great for this.
- Cut evenly. I mentioned this before, but it is worth repeating! Cutting the potato cubes to a uniform size ensures they all cook at the same rate. No one wants a mix of hard and mushy potatoes.
- Do not overcrowd the dish. Make sure your casserole dish is large enough to hold the sweet potatoes in a relatively even layer. This allows them to roast instead of steam.
- For a little kick, add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze mixture. The slight heat is a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the dish.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A straightforward and delicious recipe for Candied Sweet Potatoes. It is a dish that proves simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. It is one of my favorite Sweet Potato Side Dishes for a reason.
I hope you give these amazing Sweet Potato Recipes a try. They are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. It is a wonderful way to enjoy one of the best vegetables out there. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Use Different Nuts?
Absolutely! While pecans are a classic choice, this recipe is also fantastic with walnuts. You could even try almonds if you like. Just chop them roughly and add them in at the same point in the recipe.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can. You can prepare the dish up to the point of baking. Just assemble everything in the casserole dish, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready, bake it as directed, maybe adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time since it will be starting from cold.
Is It Possible To Use Canned Sweet Potatoes?
For this specific recipe, I would recommend using fresh sweet potatoes. Canned sweet potatoes are already cooked and much softer. They would likely fall apart and become mushy during the roasting process. The firm texture of fresh potatoes is what you want here.
What Main Dishes Pair Well With This?
These Candied Sweet Potatoes are a very versatile side. They are wonderful with holiday meals like roasted turkey or glazed ham. They also go beautifully with weeknight dinners like roasted chicken, pork chops, or even a nice steak.
Candied Sweet Potatoes
A comforting side dish that highlights the natural sweetness of potatoes with a delightful, sticky glaze. This vegetable recipe is simple to make and appeals to all, making it a wonderful addition to any meal.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it heats up, you can get the potatoes ready. Go ahead and peel the sweet potatoes. Then, carefully dice them into cubes that are about three quarters of an inch in size. Try to make them all a similar size so they cook evenly. Once they are all chopped, place the sweet potato cubes into a large casserole dish. An 11 by 15 inch dish or a 5 quart dish works very well for this amount.
- Now for the yummy part. In a small, microwave safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Add in the cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. These spices are key to that warm, cozy flavor. Pop the bowl into the microwave for about 30 seconds. You just want the butter to melt. Once it is melted, give it a good stir until everything is combined into a smooth, sweet syrup. Pour this delicious mixture all over the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish. Use a spoon to gently stir and coat every single piece.
- Carefully place the casserole dish into your preheated oven. Let the sweet potatoes roast for 20 minutes. This first roast begins the process of softening the potatoes and starting the caramelization of the glaze.
- While the potatoes are in the oven, take a moment to roughly chop your pecans. You do not need them to be perfectly uniform. A variety of sizes adds nice texture. After the 20 minutes are up, carefully take the dish out of the oven.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top and give everything another good stir. This ensures the pecans get coated in that wonderful glaze too. Place the dish back into the oven and roast for another 15 to 20 minutes. You will know it is done when the sweet potatoes are very soft and the liquid has reduced down to a thick, sticky candy coating. The whole kitchen will smell amazing! Serve your Candied Sweet Potatoes hot and enjoy every bite.
Notes
Choose firm sweet potatoes with smooth skin, avoiding soft spots or cracks. Orange-fleshed varieties like Beauregard or Jewel work well.
Cut the sweet potato cubes to a uniform size to ensure even cooking, preventing a mix of hard and mushy pieces.
Ensure your casserole dish is large enough to hold the sweet potatoes in a relatively even layer, promoting roasting rather than steaming.
For a subtle kick, consider adding a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze mixture, which wonderfully contrasts the sweetness.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
