Name: Vegan Candied Yams
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, (peeled and diced (1-inch)); 2/3 cup organic brown sugar; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1/4 cup whiskey, (optional); 1/4 cup vegan butter; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger; Pinch ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons cold water ((if needed, see step 9)); 2 teaspoons cornstarch ((if needed, see step 9))

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Tender sweet potato chunks are baked up in sweet and sticky brown sugar sauce to make these decadent vegan candied yams. The perfect side for a holiday feast!

Close Up of Vegan Candied Yams in a Dish with Serving Spoon

Holiday food. It's the only food where non-dessert recipes can acceptably include words like "candied" in the name.

Not that I'm complaining! I love a little candied dinner from time to time. In the case with candied yams, you're dealing with something that's already sweet (sweet potatoes) and cooking them up in sweet brown sugar sauce. Super indulgent! And this vegan version is perfect for wowing your guests.

Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams

Three Sweet Potatoes on a Wooden Surface

Even though we're calling this candied "yams," it's actually made with sweet potatoes. Yams and sweet potatoes are often referred to interchangeably in some places, including the U.S., but yams are technically a totally different vegetable.

The big reddish root veggies in the photo above — that's what we're using here (even if they're incorrectly labeled as yams!)

What You'll Need

Sweet potatoes
Organic brown sugar
Orange juice
Vegan butter
Whiskey (optional)
Cinnamon
Powdered ginger
Nutmeg
Salt
Vanilla extract
Cornstarch

How to Make Vegan Candied Yams

The following is a detailed photo tutorial. Scroll to the bottom of this page if you'd prefer to skip right to the recipe.

Do all of your prep work first: fire up the oven, peel and dice your sweet potatoes, and place them into a baking dish.

Now combine the brown sugar, orange juice, butter, whiskey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a pot. Place it over medium heat.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes. It will have reduced a bit and all of the alcohol should have cooked off when it's finished.

Two Images Showing First Steps for Making Vegan Candied Yams: Combine Sauce Ingredients in a Pot and Simmer

Take the pot off of the burner and stir in some vanilla extract.
Now pour the mixture over your sweet potatoes, give it a stir, and pop the pan into the oven. Bake them until they're super tender, making sure to give them a stir every 10 minutes or so.

Two Images Showing Final Steps for Making Vegan Candied Yams: Add Vanilla and Pour Mixture Over Sweet Potatoes

How to Thicken Candied Yam Sauce

Here's where the cornstarch comes in. You may or may not need this step — I tested in the recipe in two different kitchens and got varying results.

Check on your yams after about 30 minutes. If the sauce is still runny, combine some cold water and cornstarch in a small bowl, then stir it in with the yams. Pop the dish back into the oven to continue cooking.

Your candied yams are finished cooking when they're super tender and the sauce is thick and syrupy.

Grab some plates and dig in!

Dish of Vegan Candied Yams and Serving Spoon on a Wooden Surface

Vegan Candied Yam Tips & FAQ

Is this dish gluten-free? It is!
Shelf life & storage: Vegan candied yams will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3 days, or in the freezer for about 3 months.
Is there a substitute for the whiskey? You can simply leave it out if you prefer.
Looking for more holiday sweet potato recipes? Try my marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, or my pecan crumble sweet potato casserole.

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5 from 3 votes