Instant Pot Candied Yams
If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious side dish that goes with almost any main dish, you’ll love this easy Instant Pot Candied Yams Recipe that is vegan, gluten-free, and paleo.
Recipe Highlights
First off, let’s get to the question we’re all wondering. What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes? While yams and sweet potatoes are both root vegetable tubers, they are, in fact, different vegetables.
99% of yams labeled as yams in the grocery store are actually just a different variety of sweet potato. A true yam is something you’ve likely never seen before, and are usually only carried at very specialty ethnic markets or abroad.
People who have eaten both true yams and sweet potatoes report that sweet potatoes usually taste a lot better.
So, the bottom line is that you can use a sweet potato or a yam that is probably really a sweet potato for this recipe. I used the sweet potatoes labeled as yams, because this variety does tend to be softer and sweeter than the regular sweet potato.
Have I clarified this issue or just made it more confusing?
I’m not sure. 🙂
Candied yams is a traditional recipe for autumn and Thanksgiving, and it’s one of my absolute favorite dishes. This recipe is really easy to make, too!
With only four ingredients, this easy Candied Yam recipe is sheer perfection. You can make it in the pressure cooker for the ultimate in easy recipes, or you can cook it on the stovetop. Either way, you are in for a real treat with this recipe.
It’s sweetened with orange juice and coconut sugar, and it’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and paleo.
Recipe Steps
This is one of the easiest side dishes you’ll ever make.
Step One
Peel and slice the yams or sweet potatoes. You can either slice them or cut them into chunks. You’ll also need to juice several oranges to get about one cup of freshly-squeezed orange juice.
As always, please do see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Step Two
Add the sliced or cubed yams to the base of a pressure cooker. Add the orange juice, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger.
Step Three
Lock on the lid and set the time to 6 minutes at high pressure. Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, use the quick release and carefully remove the lid.
Step Four
You can serve this recipe directly out of the pot, or you can let it cook for 10-15 minutes and serve it warm. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Recipe Tips & Substitutions
- Traditional candied yam recipes include marshmallows on top. But, since this recipe is already sweet, it really doesn’t need marshmallows and would take away from the healthy nature of this recipe.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe.
- You can also make this recipe up to 3 days before you need to serve it, making it great for meal prep or for planning ahead for the holidays.
- You can use regular sugar instead of coconut sugar, if you prefer.
- The cooking time includes 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure, plus 10 minutes of natural release.
Other Easy & Healthy Instant Pot Side Dishes
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice
- Instant Pot Cabbage
- Instant Pot Cranberry Relish
- Instant Pot Whole Red Potatoes
Or, check out my round-up of the best Instant Pot Side Dishes.
I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.
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PrintInstant Pot Candied Yams
- Total Time: 36 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Diet: Vegan
Description
If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious side dish that goes with almost any main dish, you’ll love this easy Instant Pot Candied Yams Recipe that is vegan, gluten-free, and paleo.
Ingredients
- 3 medium yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced or chopped
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the sliced or chopped yams or sweet potatoes in the base of a 6-quart pressure cooker.
- Add the orange juice, coconut sugar, ground, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Lock on the lid and set the time to 6 minutes at high pressure.
- When the cooking time is complete, let the pressure come down naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, use the quick-release to get rid of any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid. You can serve this dish right away, or let it cool for up to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Traditional candied yam recipes include marshmallows on top. But, since this recipe is already sweet, it really doesn’t need marshmallows and would take away from the healthy nature of this recipe.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe.
- You can also make this recipe up to 3 days before you need to serve it, making it great for meal prep or for planning ahead for the holidays.
- You can use regular sugar instead of coconut sugar, if you prefer.
- The cooking time includes 10 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure, plus 10 minutes of natural release.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: instant pot yams, candied yams, thanksgiving yams
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Oh wow, I have never seen yams served this way! We don’t have them often in Australia so curious to know what this tastes like!!
I like that you used ghee and coconut sugar. Yams are very different from potaores ans and are completely doffernt in taste and texture. All delicious.
What a great side dish! Perfect any time of the year. I love the idea of using coconut sugar too, yum!
What a great alternative to the heavy candied yams recipe. This dish will go great with our holiday menu — we’re trying to cut down on some of the sugars and fats. And really, yams are naturally sweet. Thank you for the inspiration on how to minimize the calories.
★★★★★
Love the look and the combination to making this yummy dish. I love such amazing and delicious dishes. Have to check this out.
★★★★★
I am always looking for good sides to serve at big dinners that are safe for people with all diets to eat! This looks like an amazing recipe. Yum!
★★★★★
YUMMMM!!! I LOVE candied yams sooo much. Yours look extra delicious and I love that they are made dairy free and naturally sweetened!
★★★★★
What a great side dish recipe! I love that it’s gluten free and vegan-friendly too.
★★★★★
Looks so good, Carrie! Love your presentation! 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks, Helena!!! XO.
This is my new fav side dish. It’s so delicious served with almost anything!
★★★★★