Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Maple, Cinnamon, and Pecans Recipe
These Glazed Sweet Potatoes are a simple and delicious side dish that combines tender roasted sweet potatoes with a sweet and warm maple syrup glaze. Enhanced with cinnamon and optional pecans for crunch, and brightened with a hint of lemon juice, this recipe is perfect for holiday meals or any cozy dinner gathering. Cooked entirely in one pan, it’s an easy and impressive addition to your meal lineup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 2.5 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 medium potatoes; 7 cups cubed)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Peel the sweet potatoes if desired, then cut them into 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Mix Ingredients in Pan: Place the cubed sweet potatoes into a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish or a similar sized baking dish. Add maple syrup, melted coconut oil, ground cinnamon, and salt. Toss everything well so the potatoes are thoroughly coated with the glaze mixture.
- Bake and Stir: Place the dish in the oven uncovered and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and stir the potatoes, then return to the oven to bake for another 15 minutes. Continue this process—stirring every 15 minutes—until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the maple syrup glaze thickens and becomes less liquidy. Total baking time is approximately 1 hour but may range between 50 to 60 minutes. Keep an eye on the potatoes toward the end to avoid overcooking.
- Add Pecans and Lemon Juice: If using pecans, stir them in immediately after removing the potatoes from the oven. Add a squeeze of lemon juice over the top and stir again to brighten the flavors and balance the sweetness.
- Serve and Store: Serve the glazed sweet potatoes warm as a side dish alongside your favorite holiday or everyday main course. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Peeling the sweet potatoes is optional; leaving the skin on adds nutritional value and texture.
- Keep stirring every 15 minutes during baking for even cooking and glaze absorption.
- Lemon juice is recommended to balance the sweetness; orange juice is not a suitable substitute based on testing.
- The pecans add great texture but can be omitted for a nut-free dish.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.