Name: Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5–6 medium sweet potatoes (3–4 lbs); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter; 1 Tablespoon (15ml) water; 1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup; 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; optional: 2 teaspoons orange zest; optional for garnish: chopped fresh or dried rosemary, flaky sea salt

If you’re looking for a side dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you’ve got to try my Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe. This dish is sweet, cozy, and just bursting with those autumnal flavors we all crave. I absolutely love how the maple glaze perfectly caramelizes the sweet potatoes, creating a glossy, tender delight that my family can’t get enough of. Stick with me here—I’ll share all the tips and tricks to help you nail this fan-freaking-tastic recipe every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The maple glaze adds just the right amount of natural sweetness without overwhelming the potatoes.
Simple to Make: You’ll find the process straightforward, even if you’re not a seasoned cook, with easy steps and minimal prep.
Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: This recipe brings everyone to the table — it’s a beloved holiday staple and weeknight winner.
Flavorful Aromatics: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger layers the sweetness with warm spice that’s irresistible.

The image shows a close-up of thick round slices of cooked sweet potatoes, layered with a shiny, sticky brown sauce that coats them evenly. The sweet potatoes are soft with a smooth texture, and the sauce looks rich and slightly glossy, pooling around the edges. Small sprigs of green rosemary lie scattered among the slices, adding a touch of color. A silver spoon holds a couple of the sticky sweet potato slices, lifting them slightly above the rest. The background is a white marbled texture that adds contrast and focus to the warm orange and brown tones of the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze, sweet potato side dish, autumn sweet potato recipes, easy sweet potato side, maple glazed sweet potatoes

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe is all in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a flavor profile that’s rich, sweet, and just a little bit spicy. The key is using fresh spices and pure maple syrup to keep things natural and vibrant.

Flat lay of fresh whole medium sweet potatoes with vibrant orange skin, a few small sticks of unsalted yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light amber pure maple syrup, another white ceramic bowl holding packed dark brown sugar, a white bowl containing warm brown ground cinnamon, a white bowl with fine light brown ground nutmeg, a white bowl with pale beige ground ginger, a small white bowl with clear pure vanilla extract, a few fresh bright orange zest strips artfully arranged, a small pile of coarse flaky sea salt crystals, and a few sprigs of fresh green rosemary, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze, sweet potato side dish, autumn sweet potato recipes, easy sweet potato side, maple glazed sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes: Go for firm, medium-sized sweet potatoes that aren’t bruised—this helps ensure even cooking and sweetness.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance flavor.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted gives you control over salt levels, and melting it in halves helps it soften evenly.
Water: A splash to help the glaze come together smoothly.
Pure maple syrup: Real maple syrup makes all the difference—it’s worth investing in for that deep, natural sweetness.
Light or dark brown sugar: Packed brown sugar adds moist, caramel tones to the glaze.
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: These spices add warmth and nostalgic fall flair—freshly ground is best if you can.
Pure vanilla extract: A splash brightens up the glaze with subtle richness.
Optional orange zest: I love adding this for a little citrus pop that cuts through the sweetness.
Optional garnishes (rosemary, flaky sea salt): These give a lovely herbaceous contrast and a touch of crunch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to lighten it up, add a little seasonal twist, or make it a bit more decadent, the base recipe welcomes all sorts of creativity.

Add toasted pecans or walnuts: For extra crunch and a nutty twist, sprinkle them on top during the last 10 minutes of baking—I did this once for Thanksgiving, and it was a huge hit!
Use coconut oil instead of butter: If you’re dairy-free, swapping in coconut oil gives a subtle tropical note without sacrificing richness.
Spice it up: Try a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for a surprising and pleasing heat contrast.
Make it citrus-forward: Boost the orange zest and add a splash of orange juice to the glaze for a zesty upgrade.

How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Sweet Potatoes Just Right

Start by peeling your sweet potatoes—it’s worth taking the time so the glaze really soaks into the tender flesh. Slice them into half-inch thick rounds. This thickness helps the potatoes cook evenly without turning to mush. Toss the slices with a little salt, then place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. I usually use nonstick spray for a no-fuss coating. Having the right thickness and coating is key to getting melt-in-your-mouth slices that soak up the glaze beautifully.

Step 2: Whip Up That Heavenly Maple Glaze

Here’s where the magic happens! Cut your stick of butter in half so it melts more evenly. Into a saucepan on medium heat, combine the butter, water, maple syrup, brown sugar, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger). Stir until the butter melts completely, then let it bubble gently without stirring for about 2 minutes—that’s what gives the glaze its luscious thickness and rich caramel essence. Take it off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract (and orange zest if you’re using it). Trust me, this glaze is the heart and soul of the recipe.

Step 3: Coat and Bake to Perfection

Pour that gorgeous glaze over the sweet potatoes and toss gently to coat every slice. Then pop the dish into your preheated 375°F (191°C) oven. Bake for a full hour, but here’s a trick I learned: stir the potatoes every 20 minutes to make sure they cook evenly and get coated with glaze on all sides. After the first 20 minutes, cover with foil—this keeps the potatoes from drying out while still letting the glaze thicken up nicely. The result? Tender, caramelized potatoes that aren’t too sticky or too soggy.

Step 4: Final Touches Before Serving

Once the sweet potatoes are out of the oven, sprinkle on chopped fresh rosemary and flaky sea salt if you want that lovely herbal and crunchy contrast. Let the dish cool, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. The sauce will be thin when it’s hot but thickens up as it cools, making every bite perfectly coated. This step is essential so the glaze doesn’t run off your plate!

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Pro Tips for Making Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe

Even Slices Matter: I learned this the hard way—cutting the sweet potatoes evenly ensures they bake uniformly and absorb glaze perfectly.
Don’t Skip the Boil on the Glaze: Letting the glaze boil briefly helps it thicken up; otherwise, it’ll be too runny and won’t stick well.
Cover During Baking: Covering the dish after 20 minutes traps steam and keeps potatoes tender without drying them out.
Use Real Maple Syrup: This brings unbeatable depth of flavor compared to imitation syrups—totally worth it!

How to Serve Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe

Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

Personally, I garnish with fresh chopped rosemary and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The rosemary adds an earthy, aromatic punch that pairs beautifully with the sweet glaze, while the sea salt enhances the flavors and adds a delightful crunch. Sometimes, I toss on a handful of toasted pecans for even more texture and nuttiness. It’s those little touches that take the dish from good to memorable.

Side Dishes

This recipe goes wonderfully alongside roasted turkey or chicken, making it a perfect holiday or Sunday dinner side. I’ve also paired it with a crisp green salad or even creamy mashed potatoes for a full cozy meal. For a plant-based twist, try it with roasted Brussels sprouts or sautéed green beans for color and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve these candied sweet potatoes in individual glass ramekins topped with a sprig of rosemary and a tiny drizzle of extra glaze right before serving. Another fun way is layering the potatoes in a shallow baking dish lined with wax paper between baking so they look like a beautiful layered casserole. It always impresses guests and makes the meal feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. The glaze thickens as it chills but don’t worry—that’s normal! It actually helps the flavors deepen. Just give it a gentle stir before reheating.

Freezing

Freezing works pretty well with this recipe, although the texture softens a bit more after thawing. I freeze sweet potatoes in a freezer-safe container without garnish and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. It’s a handy way to prep ahead for a busy week.

Reheating

The easiest way I’ve found to reheat candied sweet potatoes is in the microwave on medium power, stirring halfway through to warm evenly. If you want to keep a bit of crispness, reheating in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes on a baking sheet works beautifully too.

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

While you technically can, regular potatoes won’t provide the same natural sweetness and creamy texture that sweet potatoes offer. This recipe depends on that balance of sweet and spice, so using sweet potatoes is definitely recommended.
Is it important to use pure maple syrup?

Yes! Pure maple syrup has a rich, complex flavor that really shines in the glaze. I’ve tried imitation syrups, but they always fall flat in taste, so it’s worth investing in pure maple syrup to get the best results.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Swap the unsalted butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative, and double-check that your brown sugar is vegan-friendly. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan.
How do I prevent the sweet potatoes from sticking to the pan?

Greasing your baking dish well with nonstick spray or butter helps a lot. Also, stirring every 20 minutes during baking ensures no slices stick and that each piece gets evenly coated with glaze.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can assemble the potatoes and glaze a few hours in advance and then bake when you’re ready. Just keep the dish covered in the fridge before baking to keep everything fresh.

Final Thoughts

This Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze Recipe has truly become a go-to favorite in my household—not just for holidays but whenever I want something cozy and comforting that feels a little special. I used to struggle with recipes that ended up either too mushy or overly sweet, but this one strikes just the right balance every time. I can’t wait for you to try it and hear how much your family loves it too. Trust me, once you’ve made it, this isn’t just a side dish—it’s a new tradition.