Naturally Sweet Candied Yams with Cacao Nibs & Pecans: Your Essential Vegan Holiday Side

Discover how to make naturally sweetened candied yams, infused with the rich flavors of coconut sugar and pure maple syrup. Finished with a delightful crunch from cacao nibs and toasted pecans, this vegan holiday side dish is perfect for sharing and an elevated twist on a classic.

There are some dishes that instantly transport you back to childhood, conjuring warm memories of family gatherings and festive feasts. For me, candied yams hold that special power. I distinctly remember my grandma serving them at every holiday dinner at her house. The mere mention of them still brings a smile to my face, recalling their impossibly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture that was far superior to any ordinary sweet potato dish.

The secret, I now realize, was likely the generous amount of sugar-laden syrup they were simmered in – a fact my younger self, with an insatiable sweet tooth, wholeheartedly approved of. While those cherished memories remain, my palate and dietary preferences have evolved. For years, I avoided making candied yams, believing they couldn’t be recreated in a way that aligned with my desire for healthier, naturally sweetened options.

That is, until now. I set out to create a lightened-up version that is completely vegan and free from refined sugars, proving that comfort food doesn’t have to compromise on health or flavor. This recipe for Candied Yams with Cacao Nibs and Pecans achieves that perfect balance. It’s still wonderfully sticky-sweet and profoundly comforting, just like grandma’s, but utilizes the wholesome goodness of coconut sugar and pure maple syrup for a guilt-free indulgence.

To truly elevate this dish and add an intriguing layer of complexity, we’ll be topping these glorious yams with crunchy cacao nibs and chopped pecans. This combination creates an unforgettable vegan holiday side dish that’s not just delicious but also visually appealing and perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Why Choose Vegan & Naturally Sweetened Candied Yams?

In a world where holiday spreads can often feel heavy and overly indulgent, opting for vegan and naturally sweetened dishes offers a refreshing change. This recipe isn’t just about catering to dietary restrictions; it’s about embracing wholesome ingredients that nourish your body while still delivering incredible flavor.

• Healthier Sweeteners: Instead of traditional white sugar or brown sugar, which are highly refined, we use coconut sugar and pure maple syrup. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index, meaning it causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels, and it retains more minerals. Pure maple syrup, rich in antioxidants and minerals like manganese and zinc, offers a distinct caramel-like flavor that beautifully complements the earthiness of the yams.
• Dairy-Free Delight: By using dairy-free butter, this recipe becomes accessible to those avoiding dairy, whether due to allergies, intolerances, or ethical choices. Plant-based butters have come a long way in taste and texture, ensuring your candied yams are just as rich and luxurious as their traditional counterparts.
• Enhanced Flavor Profile: The combination of spices – cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg – with the natural sweetness of yams and the unique notes of coconut sugar and maple syrup creates a deeply aromatic and complex flavor. The addition of cacao nibs introduces a sophisticated bitterness and crunch that perfectly offsets the sweetness, while pecans add a warm, nutty depth.
• Inclusive Holiday Feasting: Creating dishes that are suitable for various dietary needs means everyone at your holiday table can enjoy a delicious meal without feeling left out. This vegan candied yam recipe is a crowd-pleaser that satisfies diverse preferences.

Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses, packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are an excellent source of beta-carotene (which converts to Vitamin A in the body), Vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. By preparing them with natural sweeteners and healthy fats, we maximize their inherent goodness, turning a simple side dish into a nutritious and celebratory offering.

What You Need to Make These Irresistible Candied Yams

Crafting the perfect batch of candied yams requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with some tips for choosing the best:

• Sweet Potatoes (often called “yams” in the US): For this recipe, look for orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, often labeled as yams in North American grocery stores. These varieties, like Jewel or Garnet, are naturally sweet and have a moist, tender texture when cooked, making them ideal for candying. Choose firm, unblemished sweet potatoes.
• Dairy-Free Butter: A good quality plant-based butter will provide the richness and traditional flavor base. Brands like Miyoko’s Kitchen, Earth Balance, or Country Crock Plant Butter work wonderfully. Ensure it’s unsalted, as we’ll be adding salt separately to control the seasoning.
• Unrefined Coconut Sugar: This natural sweetener has a lovely caramel-like flavor and a slightly coarser texture than granulated sugar. It’s less processed and has a lower glycemic index.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Opt for pure maple syrup, preferably Grade A Dark or Amber, for the best flavor. Avoid imitation syrups, which are mostly corn syrup and artificial flavors. Maple syrup adds moisture, sweetness, and a distinct depth.
• Ground Cinnamon: A classic warm spice that pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes. Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for maximum aroma and flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Adds a subtle warmth and a gentle, spicy kick that balances the sweetness.
• Ground Nutmeg: Just a pinch elevates the flavor profile, adding a cozy, earthy note. Freshly grated nutmeg is even better if you have it!
• Himalayan Pink Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for enhancing the sweetness and balancing the overall flavor. Pink salt also provides trace minerals.
• Filtered Water: Used to create the syrupy sauce and ensure even cooking. Having extra on hand is always a good idea.
• Navitas Organics Cacao Nibs: These unsweetened, crushed bits of cacao beans are a game-changer for this dish. They offer a delightful crunch and a robust, slightly bitter chocolate flavor that provides a fantastic contrast to the sweet yams. Plus, they’re loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and minerals, making them a healthy and flavorful topping.
• Chopped Pecans: Pecans bring a buttery, earthy crunch and a comforting flavor that’s synonymous with holiday baking. Lightly toasting them before chopping can enhance their flavor even further.

That’s it! With these simple yet powerful ingredients, you’re ready to create a truly memorable side dish.

How to Make Vegan Candied Yams on the Stovetop: A Step-by-Step Guide

While some recipes suggest baking candied yams in the oven, my absolute favorite method is on the stovetop. This approach allows for more consistent heat distribution, ensuring the sweet potatoes cook evenly and absorb the syrupy goodness without the risk of drying out or burning. The result is a truly sticky, sweet, and perfectly tender yam that’s hard to achieve any other way.

Here’s how to master this simple stovetop technique:

1. Prepare Your Sweet Potatoes: Begin by thoroughly scrubbing your sweet potatoes. Peel them carefully, then chop them into uniform pieces. You can slice them into 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick rounds, or dice them into 1-inch cubes. Uniformity is key here, as it ensures all pieces cook at the same rate.
2. Create the Syrup Base: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or a deep skillet over medium heat. Once warm, add the dairy-free butter and allow it to melt completely.
3. Infuse with Sweetness and Spice: To the melted butter, add the coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg. Stir continuously until all the ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved into a fragrant, bubbling syrup. This typically takes about 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the Sweet Potatoes: Carefully add the chopped sweet potatoes to the pot. Sprinkle in a pinch of Himalayan pink salt. Stir gently to ensure every piece of sweet potato is thoroughly coated in the luscious, spiced syrup.



5. Add Water and Simmer: Pour the filtered water over the sweet potatoes. Give it another good stir to ensure the syrup and water are evenly distributed. Bring the liquid to a low boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the sweet potatoes simmer for 20-30 minutes.
6. Baste Frequently: During the simmering process, it’s crucial to stir the sweet potatoes frequently – every 5-7 minutes. This “basting” ensures all sides of the yams are exposed to the syrup, allowing them to cook evenly and absorb maximum flavor. It also prevents them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.



7. Adjust Syrup Consistency: Keep an eye on the syrup. If it becomes too thick or starts to reduce too much before the yams are tender, add a bit more filtered water (a tablespoon or two at a time) and stir to combine. The goal is a thick, glistening syrup that coats the yams beautifully.
8. Check for Doneness: The yams are done when they are incredibly fork-tender and soft, easily pierced without resistance, and nestled in a rich, thick, sticky syrup. The cooking time can vary based on the thickness of your sweet potato pieces and the specific variety, so always test for tenderness.

This stovetop method ensures a consistent, flavorful, and perfectly cooked candied yam every single time. It’s a forgiving process, allowing you to control the tenderness and syrup consistency with ease.

Serving Your Vegan Candied Yams with Cacao Nibs and Pecans

Once your candied yams are perfectly tender and shimmering in their sweet syrup, it’s time for the final, magical touch. Serve the sweet potatoes warm, generously sprinkled with Navitas Organics Cacao Nibs and a shower of freshly chopped pecans. This final step isn’t just for garnish; it transforms the dish into a symphony of textures and flavors.

The cacao nibs are truly special here. These straight-up cacao bean bits are not only high in antioxidants, fiber, and essential minerals but also deliver a unique sensory experience. Their slight bitterness and satisfying crunch provide a wonderful counterpoint to the soft, sweet yams. It’s a sophisticated twist that elevates a traditional side dish into something truly gourmet. These nibs are incredibly versatile, perfect for smoothies, trail mix, baking, or even sprinkled over ice cream, but they shine particularly bright against the backdrop of sweet potatoes.

The chopped pecans, with their buttery flavor and delicate crunch, add another layer of texture and a familiar, comforting nuttiness that is quintessential to holiday flavors. Together, the cacao nibs and pecans create a textural delight that makes every bite interesting and incredibly satisfying.

For an extra festive touch, consider adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving. A tiny hint of salt enhances all the flavors, making the sweet notes pop even more. You could also garnish with a bit of fresh orange zest for a bright, citrusy aroma that complements the spices beautifully. Serve these candied yams in a beautiful serving bowl, perhaps with a sprig of fresh rosemary or a cinnamon stick for visual appeal. They’re guaranteed to be a showstopper on your holiday table.

Notes on Meal Prepping & Storage for Holiday Convenience

One of the best features of these Candied Yams with Cacao Nibs and Pecans is how well they lend themselves to meal prepping, making your holiday cooking much less stressful. Enjoy them as a sweet, comforting side for your main course, or even as a delightful dessert. I’m incredibly excited to share this updated recipe with my family for our Thanksgiving spread this year!

The dish reheats beautifully, which means you can prepare it a day or two in advance. This is a huge time-saver when you’re juggling multiple dishes for a big feast. To reheat, simply transfer the yams to a microwave-safe dish and heat until warm, or gently warm them in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or maple syrup if the sauce has thickened too much.

Important tip for reheating: If you’re making this dish ahead of time, be sure to wait to add the cacao nibs and chopped pecans until just before serving. This ensures they maintain their delightful crunch and don’t become soggy from the syrup. The contrast in texture is a key element of this recipe’s appeal, so preserving that crispness is essential.

For those who love a touch of extra decadence, you can also add vegan marshmallows on top during the last few minutes of reheating in the oven (if using an oven-safe dish) or carefully toast them with a kitchen torch just before serving for that classic, gooey, caramelized marshmallow topping. This transforms the side dish into an even more dessert-like experience, perfect for a festive treat.

Store any leftover candied yams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They taste just as wonderful the next day, making for excellent leftovers or a quick, sweet snack.

Enjoy these incredibly flavorful and comforting Candied Yams, knowing you’re serving a dish that’s both healthy and truly delicious!

More Vegan Thanksgiving Side Recipes

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Hazelnut Butter Sauce

• Dijon Tahini Green Beans

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Figs & Pecans

• Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes With Almond Butter Gravy

• Harissa Roasted Cauliflower With Cranberries & Hazelnuts

• Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad

• Butternut Squash Noodle Cranberry Salad

• Tri-Colored Roasted Cauliflower Salad

• Vegan & Grain-Free Sweet Potato Casserole

• Stovetop Cauliflower Rice Stuffing

• Low-Sugar Orange Cranberry Sauce

• Delicata Chickpea Bake With Almond Butter “Gravy”

• Pumpkin Cornbread Mini Muffins

• 2-Way Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce

I Want to Hear From You!

If you decide to make this Candied Yams with Cacao Nibs and Pecans recipe, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Your feedback is invaluable and helps me create more delicious and exciting recipes for you.

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review below. Tell me what you loved, any modifications you made, or how it turned out for your holiday gathering!

Don’t forget to give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your beautiful creations. I love seeing how you bring these recipes to life in your own kitchens!

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XO Lauren

 

This post is brought to you by Navitas Organics, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!