These Caramelized Sweet Potatoes are perfect for a holiday feast or a simple weeknight meal. Imagine tender sweet potatoes, roasted to perfection with a caramelized coating of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. This side dish will add a touch of warmth and sweetness to your table.
If you like this fall side dish, you may also love our Caramelized Apples, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges or our Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 25 minutes
- ⏱️ Rest Time: 10-15 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🔥 Cook Method: Roasted in oven
- 🍽️ Cuisine: American, Side Dish, Easy Fall Recipe
- 👩🍳 Serve these candied potatoes with Glazed Ham, Rainbow Carrots, Green Beans with Almonds, and Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic.
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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We tested the sugar and cinnamon ratios until we got that perfect sticky coating! Serve these warm and slightly crisped, straight from the oven on a holiday platter. ~Jami
Why We Love This Recipe
- Naturally Sweet and Savory: The perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples like butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in minutes, and simple to prepare.
- Versatile Side Dish: Pairs well with a variety of main courses, from roasted chicken to holiday ham.
Caramelized Sweet Potato Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes: We like to choose firm, medium-sized sweet potatoes for even roasting. Have leftovers? Try our Roasted Fall Vegetables recipe.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create the caramelized glaze.
- Cinnamon: Adds to the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
- Brown sugar: Provides the caramel flavor and helps achieve the sticky, sweet coating.
- Olive oil: Olive oil works best for roasting and adds a subtle flavor.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Caramelized Sweet Potatoes in the Oven
STEP ONE: Slice the Sweet Potatoes
Wash the sweet potatoes and cut each one in half lengthwise to expose a flat surface for caramelization.
STEP TWO: Prepare the Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glaze
In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and glossy.
STEP THREE: Coat and Roast
Generously brush the cut sides with the glaze and place them cut-side down on a preheated, greased baking sheet.
Roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes.
STEP FOUR: Rest and Serve
Let the sweet potatoes rest on the hot pan for 10-15 minutes so the caramelized bottoms can release cleanly with a spatula.
Gently lift and spoon over the sticky glaze from the pan.
Substitutions & Variations
- Butter: Substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
- Brown Sugar: Use maple syrup or honey for a different flavor.
- Cinnamon: Swap in pumpkin spice for a seasonal variation.
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Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Cut sweet potatoes evenly and brush the caramel mixture generously to get a rich, sticky coating.
✔️ DO NOT Use parchment paper if you want crispy, caramelized edges. Direct contact with the pan works better.
❌ DO NOT Overcrowd the pan. Too many pieces will steam instead of roast.
Storage
Store sweet potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This dish is not freezer-friendly. To reheat, warm in a baking dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or microwave single servings.
Recipe FAQs
Caramelizing sweet potatoes involves coating them with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then roasting them in the oven until they become tender and develop a sweet, sticky glaze. Cutting the sweet potatoes evenly and roasting them cut side down at a high temperature ensures they cook uniformly and caramelize well.
Yes, you can substitute brown sugar with other types of sugar, such as maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar. Each alternative will bring a slightly different flavor to the sweet potatoes, but they will all work well to achieve the desired sweetness and caramelization.
Use a lightly greased metal pan for better caramelization. Brushing the sweet potatoes with oil helps, but direct contact with the pan gives you crisp, sticky edges. Don't overcrowd the pan or they'll steam instead of roast.
If your sweet potatoes aren't caramelizing, it's likely due to one of a few common issues: the oven temperature may be too low, the pan may be lined with parchment, or the pan is overcrowded, which causes steaming instead of roasting. For best results, roast at 425°F on a greased, unlined baking sheet, leave space between pieces.
More Sweet Potato Recipes You'll Love ♥️
- Deep Fried Sweet Potato Chips
- Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
- Roasted Fall Vegetables
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
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📖 Recipe
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Small Mixing bowl
- Brush for coating
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place a heavy-duty aluminum baking sheet in the oven to preheat. Wash the sweet potatoes and slice each one in half lengthwise.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
- Remove the hot pan from the oven and lightly grease it. Brush the cut sides of the sweet potatoes with the glaze, then place them cut side down, leaving space between each one.
- Return the pan to the oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, without flipping. The cut sides should darken and caramelize as the sugars cook against the hot pan.
- After roasting, remove the pan from the oven but don't touch the sweet potatoes yet. Let them rest on the pan for 10-15 minutes to allow the caramelized sugars to firm up so they release cleanly. Gently lift with a metal spatula and drizzle any sticky glaze from the pan over the top.
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Video
Notes
- Butter: Substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
- Brown Sugar: Use maple syrup or honey for a different flavor.
- Cinnamon: Swap with pumpkin spice for a seasonal variation.
Jami Powell says
Love the brown sugar & cinnamon combo. It's perfect for any time of the year!