Maple bacon candied yams are tender sweet potato rounds baked in a glossy maple butter glaze and topped with crisp, salty bacon for a side dish that balances sweet and smoky in every bite.
The dish takes about twenty minutes of prep and one hour in the oven, and it feeds six. It belongs on every holiday table, but it is easy enough to serve on a regular weeknight alongside roasted chicken.
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Why This Maple Bacon Candied Yams Recipe Works
Baking the slices covered first steams them tender, and a short uncovered stretch lets the glaze reduce into a thick, sticky coating.
Maple syrup brings a deep, woodsy sweetness that tastes richer than plain sugar, and a little brown sugar helps the glaze cling to the potatoes.
Crisp bacon added at the end contributes salt and crunch, which keeps the sweet potatoes from tasting too sugary.
Ingredients for Maple Bacon Candied Yams
- You need four medium sweet potatoes, about two pounds, peeled and cut into half inch slices. The glaze uses a quarter cup of butter, one third of a cup of maple syrup, a quarter cup of brown sugar, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and half a teaspoon of salt.
- Six slices of bacon are cooked until crisp and crumbled over the top. A pinch of nutmeg and a squeeze of orange juice are optional, but both brighten the glaze.
Sweet potatoes. Their natural sweetness and creamy texture make them the base for the glaze.
Maple syrup. It adds a deep caramel note and creates a glossy finish as it thickens.
Bacon. Crisp, salty crumbles balance the sugar and add a smoky crunch.
Butter. It carries the spices and gives the glaze a smooth, rich texture.
Cinnamon. A warm spice that ties the sweet and savory flavors together.
How to Make Maple Bacon Candied Yams
1. Prep the pan. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease a nine by thirteen inch baking dish, then layer the sweet potato slices in overlapping rows.
2. Cook the bacon. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about ten minutes until crisp, drain it on paper towels, and crumble it.
3. Make the glaze. Melt the butter with the maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan until smooth, about three minutes.
4. Bake covered. Pour the glaze over the potatoes, cover with foil, and bake for forty minutes until a fork slides in easily.
5. Finish uncovered. Remove the foil, baste the slices with the pan syrup, and bake for twenty minutes more until the glaze thickens, then top with bacon.
How to Serve Maple Bacon Candied Yams
Spoon the potatoes onto a platter with the pan syrup and sprinkle the bacon over the top just before serving. They go well with a green bean casserole and creamy mashed potatoes on a holiday plate. Add bacon green beans or a garlic butter steak dinner for a full menu.
How to Store and Reheat Maple Bacon Candied Yams
Cool the dish within two hours and refrigerate the potatoes and bacon in separate airtight containers for three to four days. Reheat covered in a 350 F oven for fifteen minutes until steaming, then add the bacon back so it stays crisp. Freeze the potatoes without bacon for up to two months.
Tips and Variations for Maple Bacon Candied Yams
Flag the allergens. This dish contains milk from the butter, so check every label, including the bacon cure.
Handle raw bacon. Raw bacon must be cooked fully, so wash your hands, tongs, and board after touching it.
Slice evenly. Half inch slices bake at the same rate, and thinner pieces turn mushy.
Baste often. Spooning the syrup over the slices twice while uncovered builds a glossy, even glaze.
Use real maple. Pure maple syrup has a deeper flavor than pancake syrup, which is mostly corn syrup.
Add crunch. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top for a nutty texture, and mention tree nuts to guests.
Try a swap. Peeled butternut squash cubes bake in the same time and work with the same glaze.
Check trusted guidance. Read the FDA safe food handling guidance for cooking and storage tips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maple Bacon Candied Yams
What Are Maple Bacon Candied Yams?
They are sweet potato slices baked in a maple butter glaze and finished with crumbled crisp bacon.
Can I Make Maple Bacon Candied Yams Ahead of Time?
Yes, bake them a day ahead, refrigerate them, and reheat covered, adding fresh bacon right before serving.
Are Maple Bacon Candied Yams the Same as Sweet Potatoes?
Most American yams are actually orange sweet potatoes, so either name works for this dish.
Can I leave out the bacon?
Yes, skip it for a vegetarian side, and add a pinch more salt to balance the sweet glaze.
Why is my glaze thin?
Baking uncovered for the full twenty minutes and basting lets the syrup reduce and thicken.
Maple Bacon Candied Yams
Equipment
- Baking dish 9 by 13 inches
- Skillet
- Saucepan
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes about 2 pounds, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
- 6 slices bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
- ¼ cup butter
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 pinch nutmeg optional
Instructions
Cooking
- Layer. Heat the oven to 375 F and arrange the slices in a greased 9 by 13 inch dish.
- Crisp. Cook the bacon until crisp and crumble it.
- Glaze. Melt the butter, syrup, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan.
- Bake. Pour over the potatoes, cover, and bake 40 minutes.
- Finish. Uncover, baste, bake 20 minutes more, and top with bacon.
