Name: Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 lb. sweet potatoes (about 5 medium), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; Pinch of nutmeg; 2 tsp bourbon (optional); 1 tbsp water

If you’re on the hunt for a side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds, you’ve got to try this Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe transforms humble sweet potatoes into a sweet, buttery, warmly spiced delight with just a hint of bourbon that gives it that perfect little kick. It’s one of those dishes that feels cozy and indulgent—ideal for holiday dinners or any time you want to make your meal feel extra special.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Layered Flavors: The combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, warm spices, and bourbon perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Simple Prep: You toss everything in one bowl and bake—no fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients required.
Perfect Holiday Side: Everyone at my Thanksgiving table goes crazy for these every year, and I bet your guests will too.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It reheats beautifully, so you can prep ahead and enjoy stress-free entertaining.

The image shows a white oval dish filled with thick, round slices of cooked sweet potatoes. The sweet potato slices are covered in a shiny, dark caramel-like sauce that makes them look glossy and soft. The slices are arranged closely together, slightly overlapping, and their orange color is rich and warm, enhanced by the dark syrup. The sauce pools around the edges of the slices, filling the bottom of the dish, and the texture looks smooth and sticky. The setting is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes, sweet potato side dish with bourbon, holiday sweet potato recipes, easy candied sweet potatoes, flavorful sweet potato dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing this bourbon glazed candied sweet potatoes recipe. Each component plays an important role—whether it’s adding the right amount of sweetness, spice, or that buttery richness that makes the glaze so irresistible.

Flat lay of peeled sweet potatoes cut into thick rounds, a small white bowl of light brown sugar, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, a small white bowl of amber maple syrup, a small white bowl of coarse kosher salt, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of ground ginger, a small white bowl with a pinch of fine nutmeg powder, a small white bowl containing clear bourbon liquid, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes, sweet potato side dish with bourbon, holiday sweet potato recipes, easy candied sweet potatoes, flavorful sweet potato dish

Sweet potatoes: I recommend using medium-sized ones so the slices cook evenly and have a nice tender bite.
Light brown sugar: This adds deep caramel notes. I love using light brown for that subtle molasses flavor without overpowering sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Melting it first helps everything blend better. Plus, controlling salt lets you balance flavors yourself.
Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup is my favorite here because it lends a natural, cozy sweetness that works perfectly with the bourbon.
Kosher salt: Using kosher salt helps seasons everything evenly without being too intense.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and that classic fall-spice vibe everyone loves.
Ground ginger: Just a touch gives a nice zing that brightens the dish.
Nutmeg: A pinch brings subtle earthy depth to the glaze.
Bourbon: Optional, but I highly recommend it! This adds a smoky-sweet complexity that really elevates the recipe.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on the occasion. You feel free to tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs—this dish is super forgiving and versatile.

Spicy kick: I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a little heat that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness.
Nut topping: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top add crunch and extra flavor—I learned this trick at a family gathering and it was a hit!
Dairy-free: Swap butter for coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute to keep it vegan-friendly without losing that luscious glaze.
No booze: If you’re skipping bourbon, a splash of vanilla extract or a bit more maple syrup works wonders to keep things flavorful.

How to Make Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Glaze

Start by peeling your sweet potatoes and cutting them into even ½-inch rounds. Consistency here helps them cook evenly, so you don’t end up with mushy ends and undercooked centers. In a large bowl, whisk together your brown sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, a tablespoon of water (this keeps the glaze nice and saucy), salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and that splash of bourbon if you’re using it. This glaze is where all the magic starts, so don’t skip whisking well to make sure it’s perfectly combined.

Step 2: Coat and Arrange

Next, toss your sweet potatoes into the bowl with the glaze to coat every slice well. I like to use a big spoon or my hands to make sure each round is nicely covered—the syrupy coating really seeps into the potatoes while baking. Then pour everything, potatoes and all, into a 13-by-9-inch casserole dish. Spread them out in an even layer so they cook uniformly and pour any leftover glaze on top. This is going to create that signature sticky, bourbon-infused crust you’re aiming for.

Step 3: Bake and Glaze

Bake at 400ºF for 45 to 60 minutes. Here’s the trick I discovered: stirring every 15 minutes is crucial. It keeps the sweet potatoes from sticking to the bottom and helps the glaze thicken up into that perfect candied texture. You’ll know it’s done when the potatoes are tender all the way through and the sauce has turned into a sticky, aromatic glaze that clings to each bite. Let it cool about 10 minutes before serving—this step helps the glaze set beautifully.

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Pro Tips for Making Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Even Slices Matter: Cutting the potatoes into uniform pieces ensures they cook evenly without becoming mushy or dry.
Don’t Skip the Stirring: I learned that stirring every 15 minutes prevents burning and promotes a beautifully thick glaze.
Use Real Maple Syrup: It makes a noticeable difference in flavor compared to artificial syrups—worth the extra step!
Bourbon Balance: Adding bourbon is optional, but it really elevates the dish; just don’t overdo it or it can overpower the sweetness.

How to Serve Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a frying pan with twelve round, thick slices of sweet potato cooking in hot oil. Each slice has a shiny, smooth surface covered with tiny bubbles, giving a glossy and slightly wet look. The slices are arranged closely together, filling the pan, and their color is a rich, deep orange with darker edges where they meet the pan. The pan has a slightly worn metallic texture with some oil splatters around the sweet potatoes. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Bourbon Glazed Candied Sweet Potatoes, sweet potato side dish with bourbon, holiday sweet potato recipes, easy candied sweet potatoes, flavorful sweet potato dish

Garnishes

My go-to garnishes here are toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch and just a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to make the sweetness pop. Sometimes I add a few fresh thyme leaves to bring a subtle herbaceous note that complements the spices beautifully. You’ll find these small additions create a stunning, restaurant-worthy plate.

Side Dishes

These bourbon glazed candied sweet potatoes pair like a dream with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a simple green salad to balance out the flavors. For a heartier meal, I often serve them alongside garlic mashed potatoes or honey-glazed carrots for a real festive spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like to bake this dish in a festive casserole with fresh rosemary sprigs tucked around the edges. Another fun idea is serving the sweet potatoes in individual ramekins topped with a dollop of whipped cinnamon butter for an elegant touch. You’ll impress guests simply by how good it looks!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bourbon glazed candied sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When properly sealed, they maintain their texture and flavor surprisingly well, making for easy next-day side dishes or snacks.

Freezing

Freezing candied sweet potatoes isn’t my first choice because they can get a bit watery when thawed. But if you need to, freeze them in a sealed container and thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently to minimize texture changes.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I pop them into a 350ºF oven for about 15 minutes, covered with foil to keep moisture in. This brings back the glaze’s shine and keeps the potatoes tender without drying out—a simple trick I rely on every time.

FAQs

Can I make this bourbon glazed candied sweet potatoes recipe without alcohol?

Absolutely! The bourbon adds a lovely depth but is optional. You can replace it with a splash of vanilla extract or simply leave it out. The glaze will still be delicious and full of warm flavors from the spices and maple syrup.
How do I prevent the sweet potatoes from sticking to the dish?

Stirring the sweet potatoes every 15 minutes during baking is key to preventing sticking and helps the glaze cook evenly. Also, make sure to use a well-coated casserole dish and consider lightly greasing it before adding the potatoes.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can toss the sweet potatoes in the glaze and cover the dish, refrigerating it for up to a day before baking. Just add some extra baking time since the potatoes will be cold going into the oven.
What type of sweet potatoes work best?

I recommend using medium-sized, firm sweet potatoes with orange flesh. They hold their shape well during baking and have a natural sweetness that shines through the glaze.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made bourbon glazed candied sweet potatoes for countless family dinners, and every time it feels like a little celebration. There’s something about that warm, sticky glaze with a hint of bourbon that just makes this dish stand out—comforting and elegant all at once. I truly hope you give this recipe a try and fall in love with it as much as I have. It’s easy to make, pairs with so many meals, and never fails to impress even picky eaters. Trust me, once you serve it, this recipe becomes a keeper.