Baked Sweet Yams With Golden Syrup Recipe

These spicy sweet yams with maple syrup are a delicious sweet and savory side dish. You will use golden yams, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, lime juice, pecans, and more. They are a tasty side dish or even a snack to whip up for yourself or your family. Try this golden yam recipe this week.

These yam wedges are topped with maple syrup drizzle, chopped nuts, and lime juice. It is almost like eating a loaded French fry recipe, but with yams instead of a plain potato.

Do you like sweet potatoes and yams? If so, here are a few more tasty recipes for you to try out, like these creamy mashed sweet potatoes.

Or if you are looking for another side dish that uses regular potatoes, why not make some Cheesy Crash Hot Potatoes?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Versatile: This easy recipe can be served as a side dish or a snack for any occasion, making it a versatile addition to your meal plans.
• Flavorful: The combination of sweet yams, tangy lime juice, and spicy cayenne pepper creates a unique and irresistible flavor profile.
• Nutritious: Packed with vitamins and minerals, yams are a healthy choice that complements many diets and nutritional needs.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner cooks, thanks to its simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

What Are Spicy And Sweet Yams?

Many people often confuse real yams and sweet potatoes, but these two different root vegetables are quite different. Yams are starchy tubers native to Africa and Asia, boasting rough, scaly skin and red, purple, or white flesh. They are typically drier and less sweet than sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are native to Central and South America, with smoother skin that can range from white to yellow, red, or purple and bright orange flesh. Their flesh is moist and sweet, making them popular in various culinary dishes.

These spicy and sweet true yams are a delicious side dish or even an appetizer. They are golden yams sliced into wedges and roasted in the oven. You top the yams with a mix of spices, drizzle with a cayenne pepper and maple syrup sauce, and add crunchy nuts.

What’s In This Sweet Yams Recipe

• Fresh Yams – Golden yams are the star of this dish, providing a naturally sweet and vibrant base. You can also use sweet potatoes with similar texture and sweet flavor profiles.
• Pecans – Chopped pecans add a delightful crunch and a nutty richness that contrasts perfectly with the soft yams.
• Cayenne – This spice brings a subtle heat to the dish. Adjust the amount to control the level of spiciness according to your preference.
• Maple Syrup —Use real maple syrup for an authentic and robust sweetness that complements the yams beautifully.
• Salt – A sprinkle of kosher salt enhances the overall flavor, balancing this amazing recipe’s sweet and spicy elements.
• Lime—Freshly squeezed lime juice and zest add a refreshing tanginess that brightens the dish and balances the sweetness.
• Olive Oil – Olive oil helps in roasting the yams to perfection, imparting a mild, fruity flavor. You can also substitute it with avocado or vegetable oil.
• Butter – Unsalted butter adds a rich, creamy texture, harmoniously melding all the flavors together.
• Pepper – Freshly ground pepper adds a final touch of subtle heat, rounding out the dish’s flavor profile.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions and Variations

• Potatoes: If you don’t have yams on hand, sweet potatoes or regular potatoes can be used as a substitute. The texture and sweetness may vary slightly.
• Nuts: If pecans are not your preference, try using walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds for differing textures and flavors.
• Spices: You can replace cayenne pepper with smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a different spice profile to introduce a smoky undertone.
• Syrup: If maple syrup isn’t available, you can use honey or agave syrup as an alternative sweetener, adjusting the quantity slightly to taste.
• Citrus: Instead of lime, lemon or orange zest and juice can be used to impart a different citrus tang to the dish.
• Oil: Avocado or coconut oil can be used instead of olive oil for a slightly different flavor and higher smoke point.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage can be sprinkled over the yams before roasting for an additional layer of flavor.

How to Make Baked Yams With Maple Syrup (step-by-step directions)

1. In a large pot, combine pecans, salt, pepper, cayenne, and maple syrup. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 3-5 minutes. (Photo 1)
2. Spread the mixture on a prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with lime zest. Allow it to cool. (Photo 2)
3. Peel the yams and cut them into wedges (about 8 quarters each). (Photo 3)
4. Toss the yam wedges in oil, season with salt and pepper, and spread them out on a baking dish in a single layer. (Photos 4 & 5)

1. In a separate saucepan, melt butter with syrup and salt. Once the mixture begins to foam and bubble, cook for 3-5 minutes. (Photo 6)
2. Drizzle the maple mixture over the partially baked yams, then squeeze lime juice over them. Bake for another 10 minutes.
3. Remove the casserole dish from the oven, top with the pecan mixture, and serve immediately. (Photo 7)

Recipe Tips

• Make sure to cut the yams into even slices that way, they evenly cook in the oven. If your yams are larger then cut them into more pieces.
• Depending on the thickness of the yams, you will find that the cooking time will vary.
• Spread the pecan mixture into an even layer so it has time to set up while you cook the yams.
• If you want the potatoes a bit spicier, add more cayenne. You could go up to 1/2 teaspoon.
• Once done, you can add all or a little of the sauce over the yams. You control how much of the sauce you use.
• If you don’t want to candy the pecans, you can always just top with salted pecans at the end and skip the sauce.
• You are more than welcome to use sweet potatoes instead of yams if you want.
• Make sure to peel the sweet potatoes or yams; otherwise, it will offer a very chewy texture.
• If you overcook the yams, they will burn, so ensure you check on them when they are close to being done.

Storing Tips 

For any yams you do not eat, store them in a sealed container for 1-2 days in the fridge. The yams will be a lot softer when you go to reheat them, but they will reheat decent.

To reheat, you can warm them in the microwave on a prepped pan for a minute or so until the potatoes are warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

If you are not sure what to pair with your yam fries, let me help. You could serve up with a savory maple-balsamic boneless pork chops, roast chicken, or even a juicy steak.

Or, if you want to make a lighter dish, then pair it with a light salad and a vinaigrette dressing.

Recipe FAQs

Need More Side Dish Recipes? Try These:

• Loaded Potato Salad
• Crash Hot Potatoes
• Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
• Loaded Cheesy Bacon Potatoes
• Homemade Cheddar Biscuits
• See all our tasty side dish recipes!

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