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My soul food baked candied yams are the kind of dish that makes the whole house smell like love, legacy, and Southern holidays. Slow-baked in a buttery brown-sugar glaze, these yams turn tender, caramelized, and golden around the edges, just like the pans our mamas and grandmas pulled from the oven for Sunday dinners and Thanksgiving spreads.

Warm spices, rich sweetness, and that melt-in-your-mouth texture come together in a way that feels nostalgic, comforting, and oh-so-soulful!

This recipe is crafted by Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®, your go-to expert and author for modern Southern soul food, bringing traditional African American holiday flavor into today’s kitchen with ease. These baked candied yams deliver that same buttery, soulful flava that generations of Black families have loved… slow-baked to perfection.

Southern candied yams in the oven

Candied yams are a beloved Southern soul food holiday side dish made by coating chunks of sweet potatoes in a rich, sweet glaze and baking them until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender. With every bite, you get smooth, fork-tender sweet potatoes smothered in a cinnamon-and-nutmeg-infused brown sugar syrup… The kind of flavor that makes the whole kitchen feel warm, cozy, and full of tradition.

What makes my recipe stand out as the Black folks’ soul food way is the depth of “flava” I build into this dish. In true soul food tradition, we don’t just sweeten the potatoes — we candy them!

That means slow-baking them in a buttery, caramelized glaze layered with warm spices, soulful richness, and generations of African American home-kitchen wisdom. It’s that signature shine, that silky syrup, and that just-right spice that turn simple sweet potatoes into a true soul food masterpiece!

Ingredients

These soul food baked candied yams get their magic from buttery sweet potatoes slowly baked in a sticky, caramelized mixture of butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, warm spices, and vanilla. Pure Southern comfort in every bite!

See the recipe card below for full measurements.

Should you use sweet potatoes or yams?

I use the terms “sweet potatoes” and “yams” interchangeably, just like many Black families have for generations. But true yams and sweet potatoes are different in texture and taste, so they shouldn’t be swapped as ingredients.

And while most US candied “yams” are made with sweet potatoes, we proudly keep the name because it’s rooted in Black culture, tradition, and soul food history.

How to bake candied yams

A simple Southern classic, just slice, glaze, and let the oven do the magic!

Prep the potatoes: Wash, peel, slice into rounds, soak briefly to prevent browning, and add them to a greased baking dish.
Make the glaze: Melt butter and stir in the sugars, spices, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
Candy and bake: Pour the glaze over the potatoes, cover, and bake until tender.
Finish (optional): Top with mini marshmallows for that classic soul food melt-on-top sweetness.

🎙 Listen to the recipe on The Soul Food Pod episode: Black Folks Southern Candied Yams

✨ Shaunda’s Soul Food Sense: tips, truths & traditions

A few lessons, memories, and must-knows from my kitchen to yours.

Need a different method?

Give my classic stovetop candied yams a try, or go full modern soul food with my famous Instant Pot candied yams. Same rich Southern flava, just faster!

Do you need to boil yams before baking?

Nope! For this Southern-baked candied yams recipe, there’s no boiling required. The sweet potatoes soften beautifully as they slow-bake in that rich, flavorful syrup, soaking up every bit of buttery, spiced, soulful goodness.

How do you make yams peel easier?

🥄 Shaunda says: I swear by my KitchenAid Classic Y-Peeler. It glides through the potato skin like butter, making the whole process quick, smooth, and easy. It’s my go-to for peeling yams, fruits, and veggies with zero fuss and all the finesse.

Best toppings for Southern candied yams

Many soul food cooks finish their candied yams with melt-in-your-mouth mini marshmallows. It’s the classic, heaven-on-a-plate topping. You can also dress them up Southern-style with chopped pecans or walnuts for a little earthy crunch, or go gourmet with a pecan praline finish.

❤️ Serve it like a Southerner: what goes well with candied yams?

Candied yams are a centerpiece of countless Thanksgiving menus, soul food sides, and Southern holiday feasts. They just belong on the table. They shine alongside classics like collard greens, baked mac and cheese, and Southern cabbage. Sweet, silky, and soulful… they make everything around them taste even better!

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Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.