Candied Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glaze
Tender roasted sweet potatoes coated in a buttery brown sugar and cinnamon glaze, a classic Southern side that’s sweet and comforting. This southern-inspired vegetarian ready in about 65 minutes pairs unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 large (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 3 large peeled and cubed sweet potatoes (1-inch pieces) in a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup water. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves and mixture is bubbling, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour the brown sugar glaze over the sweet potatoes and toss gently until all pieces are coated.
- Step 4: Transfer sweet potatoes and glaze to a 9x13-inch baking dish in a single layer. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and edges caramelize slightly, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 6: Serve warm as a sweet and savory side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Candied Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Candied Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Candied Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Candied Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Candied Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glaze?
Southern vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My go-to side dish now. So simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made for my family and they couldn't stop eating them.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for Thanksgiving! The glaze was sticky and sweet without being cloying.
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