Name: Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce 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; Chopped fresh or dried rosemary; Flaky sea salt

If you’re looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing side dish that’s both cozy and a little bit fancy, I’m excited to share my Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe. This dish has been a holiday staple in my kitchen for years, and I absolutely love how the sweet potatoes soak up the buttery, warmly spiced maple sauce. Whether you’re serving a Sunday dinner or a festive gathering, these candied sweet potatoes will have everyone asking for seconds (and trust me, they deserve it!).

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The warm spices, rich butter, and pure maple syrup create a sauce that enhances the natural sweetness without overpowering.
Simple Yet Impressive: It feels like a fancy dish but is straightforward enough to make any day of the week.
Great Make-Ahead Potential: You can prep in advance and just reheat, making it a lifesaver for busy holiday meals.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this recipe, and I’m pretty sure yours will too.

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 Sauce, sweet potato side dish, holiday sweet potato recipe, maple glazed sweet potatoes, easy sweet potato sides

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe lies in simple, quality ingredients working in harmony. You’ll want to choose sweet potatoes that are firm and fairly uniform in size to cook evenly. Also, using pure maple syrup instead of imitation really makes the difference in flavor depth.

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 Sauce, sweet potato side dish, holiday sweet potato recipe, maple glazed sweet potatoes, easy sweet potato sides

Sweet Potatoes: Choose medium-sized, firm sweet potatoes for even cooking and that ideal tender texture.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance and enhance the natural sweetness.
Unsalted Butter: I like using unsalted so I can control the seasoning better; it also gives a clean, creamy richness.
Water: Helps the sauce come together smoothly without being too thick.
Pure Maple Syrup: The star of the sauce—look for real maple syrup to get those authentic caramel notes.
Brown Sugar: Light or dark works; I prefer dark for its deeper molasses flavor that complements the spices.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of spice that’s classic with sweet potatoes.
Ground Nutmeg: Just a touch brings a cozy complexity.
Ground Ginger: Offers a subtle zing that cuts through the sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and rounds out the spices beautifully.
Optional Orange Zest: I discovered this trick enhances freshness and brightens the sauce wonderfully.
Optional Garnishes – Fresh or Dried Rosemary & Flaky Sea Salt: Adds a lovely herbal kick and a bit of crunchy contrast.

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

I love that this Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe is super adaptable. Over time, I’ve played around with different spices and add-ins, so don’t be afraid to make it your own!

Add Pecans or Walnuts: I sometimes throw in toasted nuts near the end of baking for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly.
Make It Vegan: Swap butter for a quality plant-based alternative and check your brown sugar is vegan-friendly—still tastes amazing.
Use Different Citrus Zests: Besides orange, lemon or even lime zest can add a fresh twist I’ve enjoyed experimenting with.
Spice it up: A pinch of cayenne or ground cloves adds warmth with a little heat if you like something unexpected.
Instant Pot Method: If you’re short on oven time, cooking the sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot before tossing with sauce really cuts down on total time.

How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Sweet Potatoes

Start by peeling your sweet potatoes and slicing them into about ½-inch thick rounds. I find this thickness holds up well during baking without becoming mushy. Place the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish—nonstick spray works great here. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the potatoes and toss them gently to coat. This little touch helps bring out their natural sweetness.

Step 2: Make The Maple Sauce

To get the sauce just right, cut your stick of butter in half—it melts more evenly this way. Combine the butter, water, pure maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir everything together until the butter has melted, then stop stirring and let it come to a gentle boil. Boil for exactly 2 minutes—this step is key to getting that luscious, slightly thickened sauce. Remove the pan from heat, and stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest if you’re using it. You’ll notice the sauce smells heavenly already!

Step 3: Pour, Toss, and Bake

Pour the warm maple sauce over your sweet potato slices, then toss gently to make sure each piece is coated. I sometimes use two spoons or just carefully toss with my hands (clean ones, of course!). Bake the dish uncovered at 375°F (191°C) for one hour. After the first 20 minutes of baking, I cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to help the potatoes cook evenly and prevent the sauce from burning. Every 20 minutes, give the dish a stir to coat the potatoes again and keep things from sticking. This little bit of attention makes all the difference.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Once the sweet potatoes are tender and the sauce looks glossy and gorgeous, remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle some chopped fresh rosemary and flaky sea salt over the top if you like that herbal pop. Let the dish cool uncovered for about 10 minutes—that’s when the sauce thickens up nicely, turning into a sticky, sweet coating you’ll swoon over.

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Pro Tips for Making Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe

Consistent Slices: I learned that cutting sweet potatoes into uniform slices ensures even baking—no half-raw, half-mushy bites!
Boil Sauce Exactly 2 Minutes: This step thickens the sauce just enough; boil longer and it can become too thick or crystallize.
Cover After 20 Minutes: Covering with foil prevents the sauce sugars from burning and helps the potatoes cook through without drying out.
Stir Every 20 Minutes: Giving the potatoes a gentle stir redistributes the sauce and prevents sticking or burning on the edges.

How to Serve Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe

Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of finishing these candied sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of fresh rosemary and flaky sea salt—it adds a pop of color, herbal aroma, and a bit of salty crunch that contrasts perfectly with the sweet glaze. Sometimes, I add a few toasted pecans on top for extra texture and nutty flavor.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with savory mains like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or grilled chicken. I also love serving it alongside a simple green salad or garlicky sautéed greens to balance the richness of the sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes layer the candied sweet potatoes in a pretty casserole dish and top with toasted pecans and rosemary sprigs for an inviting centerpiece. Another fun trick is to individual-portion them in small ramekins for holiday guests—it feels personalized and fancy without extra work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The sauce thickens once chilled, but don’t worry—it softens beautifully when reheated.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these sweet potatoes with great results. Just cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently. The texture holds up surprisingly well.

Reheating

The easiest way I’ve found is microwaving leftovers covered with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in. Alternatively, warming gently in a low oven (about 325°F) covered with foil works great for larger portions and preserves the glaze.

FAQs

Can I use this recipe with regular potatoes?

This recipe is really designed to work with sweet potatoes because of their natural sweetness and soft texture, which soak up the maple sauce beautifully. Regular potatoes won’t have the same sweet undertone and might not caramelize as well, but you can experiment if you like a less sweet side!
Is there a way to make this recipe keto or low-sugar?

Sweet potatoes are naturally higher in carbs, so for strict keto, this might not be ideal. However, you could reduce the brown sugar and use a sugar substitute compatible with baking, and swap maple syrup for a low-carb syrup—expect the flavor to differ, but it can still be tasty.
Why do you boil the sauce instead of just simmering?

Boiling the sauce for a couple of minutes helps it thicken slightly and marry the flavors better. Simmering won’t achieve the same thickened consistency, and the sauce might be too thin to coat the potatoes nicely.
Can I prepare the dish ahead of time and bake later?

Absolutely! You can assemble and toss the sweet potatoes with sauce, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking. Just bring it to room temperature before baking, and you might want to add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
What type of maple syrup is best to use?

Use 100% pure maple syrup, preferably grade A amber or dark—these have a robust flavor that complements the spices perfectly. Avoid pancake syrups that contain high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.

Final Thoughts

This Candied Sweet Potatoes with Maple Sauce Recipe has become a personal favorite because it’s easy to make and feels so special when served. I remember the first time I tried it—I was amazed at how just a few simple ingredients could produce such a decadent side. If you’re searching for a dish that brings sweetness, warmth, and a touch of elegance to your table, I highly recommend you give this recipe a go. It’s the kind of dish you’ll feel proud to serve and your family will love coming back for more.