Vegan Candied Yams with Marshmallows

Melt-in-the-mouth baked vegan candied yams with marshmallows are simple to prepare, can be made with unrefined sugars, are wonderfully spiced, and are perfect for your Thanksgiving table!

Easy Vegan Candied Yams (Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes)

With delicious vegan sourdough stuffing (with vegan sausage and apple), a low-carb cauliflower stuffing, and garlic and herb roasted vegetables already under my belt, I’m well on my way to compiling this year’s vegan Thanksgiving menu. But what Thanksgiving table would be complete without delicious vegan candied yams with marshmallows?!

This holiday classic has had a vegan make-over by replacing dairy with non-dairy ingredients, like vegan butter and vegan marshmallows. The result is baked candied yams with ALL the flavor of old-fashioned candied sweet potatoes, but 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Best of all, your family won’t even be able to tell the dish is vegan.

The combination of tender sliced sweet potatoes (no canned yams here!) tossed in a rich sauce of brown sugar, vegan butter, vanilla, and several spices, all topped with vegan ‘mallows is undeniably more-ish. I have yet to have leftovers!

Even better, I’ve also included several recipe variations below. These include using unrefined sugar, swapping out the ‘mallow topping for pecan streusel, adding even more flavor with add-ins like orange zest, and more. That way, you can easily tweak this recipe to your (and your guests’) dietary and flavor preferences with minimal effort.

You can also partially prep the homemade candied yams a day in advance AND freeze the leftovers for a fuss-free holiday! So, let’s jump right in.

What’s The Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes?

The truth is, while yams and sweet potatoes are two different ingredients, candied yams are made using sweet potatoes, often referred to as ‘yams’ in the US.

When it comes to the differences between the two, yams are actually starchier, less nutritious, and not as readily available as sweet potatoes. Yams also have brown, rough skin on the outside and a yellowish/pale interior. Whereas sweet potatoes come in orange, white, and purple varieties (the orange ones being most commonly used to prepare Southern candied yams).

The Ingredients

This candied sweet potato casserole (yam casserole with marshmallows) requires only a handful of simple ingredients, several pantry staples, and just 8 ingredients in total (plus salt)!

• Yams: Orange fleshed sweet potatoes are what you’ll need for this easy candied yams recipe. I recommend using similar-sized potatoes.

Japanese white sweet potatoes will also work well for candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows or Garnet yams (which are naturally very sweet potatoes).

• Vegan butter: Use your favorite vegan butter. If you have to use a salted option, reduce the salt in the remaining recipe accordingly. Coconut oil works in a pinch.
• Brown sugar: Make sure it’s vegan, as not all brown sugar is.

You could make candied yams with maple syrup or coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free version. Alternatively, use a combination of granulated sugar and maple syrup.

• Vanilla: I prefer pure vanilla extract or paste over artificial for the best flavor.
• Spices: This baked candied sweet potato recipe uses a traditional combination of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger (optional), and a bit of salt.
• Marshmallows: Use your favorite brand of mini vegan marshmallows OR check the alternative topping options below. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods both sell vegan marshmallows like Dandies brand.

What Could I Add to Vegan Thanksgiving Yams?

The above vegan marshmallow yams recipe is already sweet, buttery, moreish, and absolutely delicious. However, there are several variations and add-ins you can choose from to tweak this recipe to your liking.

• Dried fruit: Raisins or dried cranberries will work well stirred into the oven-baked candied yams before adding the ‘mallows.
• Orange zest: Add the zest of one orange to the vegan Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole for an aromatic, bright depth. For more citrus flavor, add 2-3 tablespoon of orange juice concentrate.
• Cardamom: Just a tiny pinch for depth.
• Pecans: Add chopped pecans (or walnuts) to the Southern candied sweet potatoes halfway through baking OR use them as a topping instead of marshmallows.
• Mashed sweet potato: To make a more traditional vegan sweet potato casserole, first oven-bake (or steam) the sweet potatoes until tender, then mash them with the sweet sauce ingredients (and a little dairy-free milk if needed). Then top with the marshmallows and bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Crumble topping: Swap the mallows for a pecan streusel topping.

How to Make Vegan Candied Yams with Marshmallows?

Making candied yams is super simple. Just peel, chop, toss with the seasonings, and bake. At the end, top the candied yams with marshmallows (vegan, of course) and warm up for a few minutes further. Voila, delicious Thanksgiving yams the entire family will love!

• 1) First, preheat the oven to 400F/205C, and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• 2) Meanwhile, wash, peel, and chop the sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces (about ¼-inch thick) and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

Using a mandoline to slice the sweet potatoes can help cut down on prep time.

You could alternatively slice the sweet potato into ¼-inch thick rounds (for less chopping) or small ½-inch cubes, but the baking time may increase slightly.

• 3) In a small bowl, whisk the melted vegan butter with the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger (if using). Then toss it with the yams until they’re evenly coated.

• 4) Spread the potato mixture into the baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, stir, then bake for a further 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

• 5) Finally, remove the candied yams from the oven, add a layer of mini vegan marshmallows, and bake for a further 4-6 minutes, just to slightly heat.

You don’t want the marshmallows to start bubbling, or they’ll turn into a white goo. For browner ‘mallows, broil them instead of baking.

Enjoy the sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows as a star on your Holiday table alongside all your other favorite holiday dishes, or serve it as part of a Sunday dinner! Then, finish the meal with apple pie baked apples for a proper fall celebration.

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Slice the sweet potatoes evenly: A mandoline or food processor slicing disk can help with this (and saves time). Even slices ensure they’ll cook at an even rate.
• For more syrupy candy yams in the oven: You can either save some of the ‘syrup’ to one side to baste the vegan candied yams when stirring it halfway through baking OR double the syrup entirely for a more decadent dish. If doubling the sauce, I often reduce the amount of ‘mallows so it isn’t too sweet.
• Sweeten to taste: If you’d prefer to add more or less sugar, then adapt the sauce’s sweetness to your liking.

Storage Recommendations

Store: Allow the candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows to cool and store leftovers, covered, in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Freeze: Allow it to cool and store in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheat: The leftovers will reheat well either in a microwave (1-2 mins based on portion size and microwave power) or in the oven (at 350F/175C) until warm.

Can You Make Candied Sweet Potatoes Ahead?

Make ahead: You could make these vegan candied yams the day before by baking them up until the point of adding marshmallows, then allow them to cool and store, covered, in the fridge. Remove the dish from the fridge 30 minutes before reheating, adding the marshmallows in the last 5 minutes (stir beforehand to redistribute the sauce).

If you want to prepare the elements without baking them, you can also do that the night before. Store the sliced potatoes in a container of water with plastic wrap to keep them from browning, and prepare the sauce in a separate bowl (it will solidify but just needs reheating to assemble the vegan Sothern candied yams to bake).

More Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

• Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes
• Crispy Hasselback potatoes
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Creamy vegan sausage gravy
• Instant Pot Apple Cider
• Easy Zucchini Mock Apple Pie

If you try this easy vegan candied yams recipe (candied sweet potato casserole), I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla