Oven Baked Candied Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Honey

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These Candied Sweet Potatoes are tender, buttery, and baked in a sticky brown sugar and honey glaze with a hint of fresh orange. They’re sweet, rich, and deliciously caramelized, making them a wonderful addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday dinner!

I first tried these sweet potatoes when a good friend brought them to our Friendsgiving celebration. I had never had candied sweet potatoes before, and I couldn’t stop going back for more! I loved them so much that I asked her for the recipe, and I’m so glad she shared it with me. They’ve been one of my favorite holiday side dishes ever since.

Why you will love this recipe:

Perfect for entertaining: It’s a special side dish that looks beautiful on a holiday table without requiring complicated preparation.

Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make this delicious holiday side dish.

Wonderful texture: Briefly boiling the sweet potatoes before baking helps them become tender without needing a long baking time.

No marshmallows needed: Unlike traditional sweet potato casserole, this recipe lets the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes shine.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll find the complete measurements in the printable recipe card below, but here are a few things worth knowing about the ingredients.

Reserved cooking water: A small amount of the water used to boil the potatoes helps bring the glaze together. Sweet Potatoes Ingredient List:

Sweet potatoes: Look for firm sweet potatoes with smooth skin. Cutting them into similar-sized pieces helps them cook evenly.

Honey and brown sugar: These work together to create the rich, sticky glaze. Light or dark brown sugar will work, although dark brown sugar gives the sauce a deeper molasses flavor.

Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth sauce.

Fresh orange: Both the juice and peel are used. The orange is what makes this recipe a little different, adding a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness.

How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes

These homemade candied sweet potatoes come together in just a few simple steps. The full instructions and measurements are in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Prepare the sweet potatoes.

Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized pieces. Boil them briefly to begin softening, then drain, remembering to reserve some of the cooking water.

Step 2: Make the glaze.

In a saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, fresh orange juice, orange peel, and reserved potato water. Warm the mixture until the butter melts and everything comes together into a smooth sauce.

Step 3: Bake the sweet potatoes.

Transfer the potatoes to a buttered baking dish and pour the warm glaze over them. Bake uncovered until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce has thickened and caramelized.

Step 4: Finish and serve.

Let the sweet potatoes cool slightly before serving. Spoon the glaze over the top and finish with a light sprinkle of salt.

My Tips for the Best Candied Sweet Potatoes

Don’t overcook the potatoes in the boiling water. They should still be quite firm when you drain them. They’ll continue cooking in the oven, and starting with potatoes that are too soft can result in a mushy texture.

Watch the glaze toward the end of baking. Honey and brown sugar can caramelize quickly, especially at a higher oven temperature. You’re looking for a syrupy sauce that coats the potatoes without becoming overly dark around the edges.

Adjust the sauce before serving. If there’s more liquid remaining in the dish than you prefer, you can carefully spoon off some of the excess. The glaze will also thicken slightly as it cools.

Can You Make Candied Sweet Potatoes Ahead of Time?

If you’re preparing a big Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, you can get some of the prep work out of the way the day before.

Peel and cut the sweet potatoes, then store them completely submerged in cold water in a covered container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, drain them and proceed with the recipe.

You can also measure the glaze ingredients ahead of time, making assembly quick and easy.

For the best texture, I recommend baking the sweet potatoes closer to serving time.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store leftover candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat, place them in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm at 325°F until heated through. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave.

What to Serve with Candied Sweet Potatoes

Candied sweet potatoes pair beautifully with savory holiday favorites like roasted turkey, glazed ham, and stuffing.

I especially love serving them alongside my mom’s sausage and apple Thanksgiving stuffing. The savory sausage, apples, and herbs are such a nice contrast to this sweeter side dish.

If you’re planning your holiday menu, my corn casserole is another family favorite that’s always popular at our Thanksgiving table.

And if you’re deciding between different sweet potato dishes, my sweet potato casserole is a great alternative when you’re craving a more traditional casserole-style recipe.

A Sweet Addition to Your Holiday Table

Some of my favorite recipes are the ones that come from sharing a meal with friends and family, and these candied sweet potatoes are a perfect example. I’m so glad my friend brought them to Friendsgiving all those years ago!

If you make this recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another family gathering, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating below, and let me know how they turned out!

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Yield: 10

Candied Sweet Potatoes

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Tender candied sweet potatoes baked in a buttery honey and brown sugar glaze with fresh orange. An easy, flavorful holiday side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1½-inch pieces
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 large strip of orange peel
• ¼ cup reserved sweet potato cooking water
• Salt, for finishing

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and baking dish. Preheat the oven to 450°F and lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Boil the sweet potatoes. Add the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes to the boiling water. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, just until they begin to soften. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water, then drain the potatoes and transfer them to the prepared baking dish.
3. Make the glaze. Meanwhile, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, orange juice, orange peel, and reserved ¼ cup potato water in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the butter melts and the mixture begins to bubble gently.
4. Coat and bake. Pour the warm glaze evenly over the sweet potatoes. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then gently toss the potatoes to redistribute the glaze. Continue baking for another 10–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce has reduced and become syrupy, approximately 30–40 minutes total. Watch the glaze closely toward the end to prevent burning.
5. Finish and serve. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the sweet potatoes cool slightly. Discard the orange peel, spoon the remaining glaze over the potatoes, and finish with a light sprinkle of salt before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 234Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 70mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 4gSugar: 33gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated. Use as an approximation only.

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