Candied Sweet Potatoes
Delightfully spiced and mashed Candied Sweet Potatoes topped with sweet and buttery pecan streusel is the perfect holiday snack or side dish. Bring your sweet potato game to the next level with this easy vegan holiday recipe that everyone will love!
Thanksgiving feasts are not complete without the complementary sweet potato dish. They are made in many different ways, but this Candied Sweet potato recipe is undoubtedly one of the best ways to enjoy them. They pair beautifully with any savory entrees with their sweet, citrusy and warm flavors.
Quick and Easy Holiday Recipe
If you are looking for a fuss-free dish that uses simple, wholesome ingredients, this recipe is perfect for you. I used sweet potatoes to make this classic dish together with a handful of pantry staples and spices. All you need to do is boil, mash, and mix the ingredients together, and it will be ready to bake in just 10 minutes. I don't peel the sweet potatoes to save time, prevent food waste, and maximize nutrition. You can even make it a day ahead of time! This means less time in the kitchen, more time with your loved ones on one of the best days of the year.
Plant-based Thanksgiving Feast
Being vegan does not mean you enjoy less soul-warming and belly-filling food at the table. In fact, eating healthy plant-based dishes makes you feel less bloated yet fully satisfied. If you are still looking for different dishes that you can make from scratch, I have compiled some of the best ones here: How to have an Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Meal. It also includes some recommendations on the best pre-made store-bought vegan dishes available for you.
Ingredients used to make Candied Sweet Potatoes
For the sweet potatoes:
- Sweet potatoes- use red or orange sweet potatoes as they are sweeter and contain more moisture, making them better for mashing and baking. In a cinch, you can use canned sweet potatoes as well.
- Plant-based milk- This will make the mashed potato creamier! You can use any type of non-dairy milk like soy, almond, oat, cashew, and coconut milk.
- Vanilla extract- adds a pleasantly floral taste and aroma to the dish.
- Brown sugar- gives the mashed sweet potatoes a deep caramel undertone due to the molasses in them.
- Spices- the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and powdered ginger adds a warm and festive taste that epitomizes holiday flavors.
For the streusel topping:
- All-purpose flour- gives the topping a soft crumbly texture.
- Brown sugar- you can also make use of white sugar.
- Vegan butter- use any brand that you can find.
- Pecans- give the crunch and texture! You can swap this with walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia, or cashews. For a nut-free option, try using sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
How to make it:
No complicated steps are needed to make this fantastic sweet potato dish!
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F
- Lightly grease an 8x8 casserole dish
- Rinse the sweet potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes
- Place the sweet potato cubes in a medium pot and pour enough water to make sure they are fully submerged. Bring to a boil until they are fork-tender and ready to mash.
- Drain the potatoes and bring them back to the pot, then mash until you get the right consistency you are after.
- Add the vegan milk, vanilla, ¼ cup of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and powdered ginger and mix together until well combined. Transfer into the prepared greased baking pan.
- In a smaller bowl, add all the streusel ingredients together and spread evenly on the spiced mashed potato.
- Bake until the top is golden for up to 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy.
Tips when Making Candied Sweet Potatoes
- If you want to remove the skins, do so after boiling because the skin will peel easier.
- The baking time depends on the size of the baking dish you use. If you have a wider pan, you have to reduce the baking time to at least 5 minutes.
- You can use a food processor to mash the sweet potatoes. Just make sure to not go, or you will end up with a gluey mess.
Variations
Here are some options to enjoy this candied sweet potatoes recipe in different ways!
- Instead of making a pecan streusel, you can top the sweet potato mix with vegan marshmallows. Bake the potatoes first, then cover the top with vegan marshmallows and place it back in the oven for a few minutes until the mallows have melted.
- You can also skip the mashing part and make it using sweet potato cuts. If you are doing this, make sure to cut the potatoes evenly and use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- Add some lemon or orange zest to the sweet potato mixture to add some fresh citrusy undertone!
Storage Tips
Make sure to not let your baked sweet potatoes sit on the table for more than 4 hours. Once they have cooled off, place them in an airtight container and put them in the fridge. They should last for 3-5 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or oven.
Do you have leftover sweet potatoes after making these? Try these equally yummy recipes too!
- Sweet Potato Latkes- If you’re not familiar with the potato-y goodness that is Latkes, then this is for you. it’ll give you a taste of a traditional Jewish celebration, Hanukkah, the festival of lights.
- Chickpea Sweet Potato Boats- You can make an entire meal out of just a few ingredients like these sweet potato boats. They are full of powerful nutrients and don’t take a lot of effort to create.
- Sweet Potato Brownies- These brownies are super dense and moist compared to others – almost like fudge. The addition of the peanut butter cuts down on the richness of the cocoa and adds a salty element to the treat.
- Sweet Potato Stuffed Mushrooms- Fall is fast approaching which means it’s almost time for cold weather, heavy sweaters, and hearty meals like these stuffed mushrooms.
- Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Casserole- This is a recipe that features easy ingredients such as sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and vegetable broth with a delightful red pepper cashew cream sauce.
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
For the sweet potatoes
- 3 ½ pounds sweet potatoes rinsed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup plant-based milk any variety
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
For the topping:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup vegan butter
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8x8 casserole dish.
- In a medium pot, submerge the sweet potatoes in water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are softened, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Drain the water using a colander and place the potatoes back into the pot. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes. Pour in the milk, vanilla, ¼ cup of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and powdered ginger, and mix together until thoroughly combined. Transfer to the 8x8 dish and spread until it’s evenly leveled.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, vegan butter, brown sugar, and pecans, until thoroughly mixed. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared sweet potatoes and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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About Toni
Welcome to Plant-Based on a Budget! Here you’ll find affordable and easy-to-make recipes, and an inclusive, supportive approach to plant-based eating.
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