Vegan Candied Yams with Marshmallows

Modified: Oct 26, 2026 · Published: Nov 7, 2022 by Toni Okamoto · As an Amazon Associate and Walmart Creator, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you · 36 Comments

Melt-in-your-mouth baked vegan candied yams with marshmallows are dairy-free, simple to prepare, and the sweet side your Thanksgiving table needs! Serve them right next to my dairy-free green bean casserole and you've got the two classics everyone looks for first.

Vegan candied yams in a white baking dish, topped with golden toasted vegan marshmallows, with a serving spoon.

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What Makes These Vegan Candied Yams So Good
Are Yams and Sweet Potatoes the Same Thing?
Vegan Candied Yams Ingredients
How to Make Vegan Candied Yams Step-by-Step
Toni's Recipe Tips
Make Ahead and Storage
What to Serve With Vegan Candied Yams
Vegan Candied Yams FAQs
More Vegan Side Dish Recipes
Vegan Candied Yams with Marshmallows

What Makes These Vegan Candied Yams So Good

This holiday classic has had a vegan makeover by swapping the dairy for vegan butter and vegan marshmallows. The result is baked candied yams with all the flavor of old-fashioned candied sweet potatoes, but 100% vegan.

Real sweet potatoes, not canned. Tender slices get tossed in a rich sauce of brown sugar, vegan butter, vanilla, and warm spices.
Just 8 ingredients (plus salt), and most of them are pantry staples.
Make-ahead friendly. Prep everything the night before, then bake it right before serving.
Loved by everyone at the table, vegan or not. It sits perfectly alongside my easy vegan stuffing and easy cranberry pear sauce.

Are Yams and Sweet Potatoes the Same Thing?

Not quite! True yams are a different plant with rough, bark-like skin and starchy white flesh, and they're mostly grown in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The orange "yams" in most U.S. grocery stores are soft sweet potatoes that got the yam name as a marketing label, which is why candied yams and candied sweet potatoes are the same dish here. The Library of Congress explains the difference if you want the full story.

For this recipe, grab the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes labeled "yams" or "sweet potatoes." They're the same ones I use for Instant Pot sweet potatoes and crispy roasted sweet potato wedges.

Vegan Candied Yams Ingredients

This candied sweet potato casserole needs only a handful of simple ingredients, and you probably have most of them already.

Labeled ingredients for vegan candied yams: yams, mini vegan marshmallows, vegan butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger.

Yams (sweet potatoes): Look for orange-fleshed ones that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
Brown sugar: Melts into the butter to make the candied syrup.
Vegan butter: Gives the sauce its rich, buttery flavor. Use your favorite brand.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the sweetness.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: Warm holiday spices. The ginger is optional.
Salt: A pinch balances all that sweetness.
Mini vegan marshmallows: Regular marshmallows are made with gelatin, so be sure to use vegan ones. I use Dandie's.

How to Make Vegan Candied Yams Step-by-Step

Making candied yams is super simple. Just peel, slice, toss with the sauce, and bake. Before you start, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Peeled sweet potatoes cut into thin slices in a large white bowl.

Step 1: Slice the yams. Wash, peel, and cut the sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces about ¼-inch thick, then transfer them to a large bowl.

Brown sugar and vegan butter sauce being poured over sliced sweet potatoes in a large bowl.

Step 2: Make the candied sauce. In a small bowl, whisk the brown sugar, melted vegan butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger (if using). Pour it over the yams and toss until they're evenly coated.

Sweet potato slices coated in the brown sugar sauce, spread in a white baking dish.

Step 3: Bake covered. Spread the yams into the baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, stir, then bake for another 20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Mini vegan marshmallows being poured from a bowl over the candied yams in the baking dish.

Step 4: Add the marshmallows. Top the candied yams with a layer of mini vegan marshmallows and bake for 5 to 6 more minutes, just until they're warm and soft. For toasted marshmallows, broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely so they don't burn.

PRO TIP: You don't want the marshmallows to start bubbling, or they'll turn into white goo.

Toni's Recipe Tips

Slice the sweet potatoes evenly. A mandoline or food processor slicing disk helps (and saves time). Even slices cook at the same rate.
Want them extra syrupy? Save some of the sauce to baste the yams when you stir them halfway through, or double the sauce entirely for a more decadent dish. If I double the sauce, I usually use fewer marshmallows so it isn't too sweet.
Sweeten to taste. Add more or less sugar to suit your crowd.

A baking dish of vegan candied yams covered in toasted vegan marshmallows.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make ahead: I like to prepare everything the night before and keep it covered in the fridge, then bake it right before serving.

Store: Let the leftovers cool, then keep them covered in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

Freeze: I haven't tested freezing these, so I recommend keeping leftovers in the fridge and enjoying them within 5 days.

What to Serve With Vegan Candied Yams

Candied yams are a sweet counterpoint to all the savory dishes on a holiday plate. Here's how I like to build a vegan Thanksgiving menu around them.

Main: My Beyond Meat meatloaf is a crowd-pleasing centerpiece.
Potatoes and gravy: Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes with plenty of vegan mushroom gravy.
Green sides: Brown sugar green beans, maple glazed Brussels sprouts, or garlic herb roasted vegetables.
Bread: A basket of fluffy vegan dinner rolls.
Squash: Maple glazed air fryer acorn squash frees up oven space.
Dessert: Finish with a slice of vegan pecan pie.

Vegan Candied Yams FAQs

What are candied yams?

Candied yams are sweet potatoes baked (or simmered) in a buttery brown sugar syrup with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. They're a classic Thanksgiving side, often topped with marshmallows. In the U.S., the orange "yams" at the store are a type of sweet potato, so candied yams and candied sweet potatoes are the same dish.

Can I make vegan candied yams ahead of time?

Yes! I like to prepare everything the night before and keep it covered in the fridge, then bake it right before serving.

Are marshmallows vegan?

Most regular marshmallows aren't, because they're made with gelatin, which comes from animals. Look for marshmallows labeled vegan. I use Dandie's mini vegan marshmallows.

How long do leftover candied yams last?

Let them cool, then keep them covered in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. I haven't tested freezing them.

If you tried these vegan candied yams with marshmallows or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!