Candied Yams with Maple and Toasted Pecans
Sweet roasted yams glazed with maple syrup and topped with crunchy toasted pecans for a classic Christmas side dish. This American-inspired Christmas recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs pure maple syrup, unsalted butter, ground cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 8, 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 lbs yams (sweet potatoes), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss 3 lbs peeled yams cut into 1-inch cubes with 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread the yams in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 35-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and caramelized around the edges.
- Step 3: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle 1 cup chopped toasted pecans over the top. Toss gently to combine and serve warm as a festive side.
