Melting Sweet Potatoes
Updated Dec 05, 2024
Melting Sweet Potatoes are a lighter version of candied sweet potatoes! They are "just right" in the sweet department without losing the caramelization!
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Get ready for Melting sweet potatoes (candied sweet potatoes better-balanced cousin)! This lighter version of candied sweet potatoes literally melts and dissolves in your mouth without being too sweet! What makes them so melty is the butter and “just right” amount of maple syrup mixed with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes that comes out when roasted. They’re soft, caramelized, candied potatoes that you can feel good about!
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There’s something about sweet potatoes that just makes them so comforting, especially around the holidays. This recipe for melting sweet potato is ultra cozy, not too sweet, with a delicious caramelized finish and pecans for crunch. Candied sweet potatoes are very popular during the fall and this is basically a lighter version that still has that delicious caramelized finish without the sugar rush! These potatoes are so soft and tender that they literally melt in your mouth!
“Excellent recipe and just the right amount of sweetness. Easy to make and it’ll be my first time I serve it for our Thanksgiving dinner.” – Mari
Recipe at a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Baked
Dietary Info: Vegetarian and Gluten Free
Key Flavor: Light Sweetness of Sweet Potatoes
Skill Level: Easy
Why These are So Good
- Lightly glazed sweet potatoes. Candied sweet potatoes are often coated in a huge amount of sugar syrup, but this version has a light glaze of butter and maple syrup, which gives them a delicious caramelized finish without being too sweet.
- Perfect side dish for the holidays. Whether you’re serving them up for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas, or any other holiday gathering, these potatoes will be a hit! They’re the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and they’ll go with just about anything.
- Ready in 40 minutes! I mean, who can complain about that? Just toss the potatoes in the glaze, roast them in the oven, and you’re done! No need to stand over a hot stove and babysit them. The oven does all the work for you!
Ingredients To Make Melting Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes: Slice the sweet potatoes into rounds about 1 inch in thickness. There’s no need to peel them. You can use different types of sweet potatoes like orange-fleshed, white-fleshed, or even the purple-fleshed ones like I did in this Instagram video.
- Butter: I toss the sweet potato slices with melted butter which gives them a more rich taste, but you can also use avocado oil or olive oil.
- Seasonings: Cinnamon and salt. Nutmeg also works well.
- Broth: I add broth to the pan during roasting so that the sweet potatoes don’t dry out. Try to use homemade vegetable stock or low-sodium vegetable broth so the potatoes don’t come out salty, but you can also use chicken broth or homemade chicken stock here as well.
- Maple syrup: This adds a natural sweetness to the potatoes and makes them caramelize as they cook.
- Pecans: Finish the dish with chopped pecans for a crunchy texture. Candied Walnuts could also be used.
How to Make Melting Sweet Potatoes
“I made this recipe for Thanksgiving, and my family requested it again for Christmas. Delicious! Love your site.” – Anne
Tips for Making the Best Caramelized Sweet Potatoes
- Cut the sweet potatoes into even thicknesses. Each round should be around an inch thick. Make them as even as you can so that they cook through at the same time.
- Crank up that oven. Definitely make sure it’s preheated, but more importantly, make sure to roast them at the suggested 450°F because we want to blast them with enough heat to get them roasted and caramelized, aka candied.
- Use parchment paper to line the baking sheet. This will make the candied sweet potatoes easy to remove once they are cooked. If you don’t, you will need to remove them from the pan as soon as they come out of the oven, so they don’t stick as the maple syrup cools and hardens.
- Make them vegan. These melting potatoes are vegetarian, but you can make them plant-based easily by swapping the butter for a vegan butter or coconut oil.
What to Serve with Melting Sweet Potatoes
These melting sweet potatoes are great to serve with your Thanksgiving dinner. Serve them with other favorites like…
- Thanksgiving Turkey
- Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Pan Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer not to peel the sweet potatoes, I just give them a good wash to remove any dirt. The skins get so crisp and delicious, adding another layer to these candied sweet potatoes! That being said, if you prefer, you can peel them before slicing them into rounds.
Yes, this is a great make-ahead sweet potato dish. Once cooked, transfer to a container and let cool before covering and placing in the fridge. They will keep well for 2 to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven, covered with foil, at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through.
Sweet potatoes have natural sugars that will caramelize and cause sticking. To prevent sticking, make sure your using parchment paper or a greased baking sheet. Don’t forget to grease foil if you’re using that as well.
Store them in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. You can microwave individual portions in 30-second increments until heated through. For reheating larger batches, I recommend the oven covered with foil, at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through.
More Sweet Potato Recipes:
- Smashed Sweet Potato Rounds
- Crispy Baked Sweet Potatoes Cubes
- Loaded Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Noodles with Grilled Chicken
- Sweet Potato Toast and Fried Eggs
- Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Rounds
If you try this healthy-ish feel good Melting Sweet Potatoes recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
This Melting Sweet Potatoes recipe was originally published on November 16, 2017. The recipe has been slightly modified to add vegetable broth and the post now includes updated step-by-step photos.
Melting Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 medium sweet potatoes sliced into 1-inch thickness
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup low sodium vegetable broth low sodium
- ¼ cup maple syrup plus more for serving
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the sweet potatoes on the prepared sheet pan, add the melted butter, salt and cinnamon. Toss to coat, and then spread the sweet potatoes on the pan in a single layer, not touching.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Then flip the potatoes, drizzle the maple syrup and vegetable broth on top, and return to the oven for 20 more minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are caramelized and the maple syrup is reduced and bubbly.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes to a platter and drizzle the sauce from the pan on top. Sprinkle pecans, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Comments
Made these for Christmas for just my husband and I. These were the best.
So happy you enjoyed them!
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