The Best Airfryer Candied Yams

These air fryer candied yams are sweet, spiced, and topped with gooey marshmallows. Perfect for Thanksgiving or a comforting side dish, ready in minutes!

When I collaborated with an air fryer brand, I wanted to create something classic yet easy – and nothing screams comfort like candied yams. This dish became part of my All About the Yams series, where I shared my favorite sweet potato recipes for Thanksgiving. The air fryer makes these candied yams quick, convenient, and irresistibly delicious with that perfect toasted marshmallow topping.

The History and Inspiration Behind Candied Yams:

Candied yams are a beloved dish in Southern and African American cuisine, often gracing holiday tables during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This sweet, spiced side dish traces its roots to West African culinary traditions, where yams were a dietary staple. When enslaved Africans brought their food culture to the Americas, the dish evolved using local ingredients like sweet potatoes and sugar.

In the early 20th century, candied yams became a household favorite in the U.S., blending warm spices with butter and sugar to create a caramelized, rich flavor profile. The addition of marshmallows – now iconic – emerged in the 1920s as part of a marketing campaign by a marshmallow company, transforming candied yams into the gooey treat we know and love today.

What You’ll Need:

For the Yams:

• 2 medium-size sweet potatoes
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp fresh ginger (or a pinch of ground ginger)
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground clove
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup mini marshmallows (or more, depending on preference)

Optional Additions:

• 1/4 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

How to Prepare:

1. Prep the Sweet Potatoes:
   Poke several holes in each sweet potato with a fork to allow steam to escape.
   Dampen a paper towel and wrap each sweet potato individually.
   Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, checking for tenderness with a fork. If not tender, continue microwaving in 1-minute increments.
2. Make the Spiced Butter Mixture:
   In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, vanilla extract, brown and white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, and salt. If using, stir in the orange zest, lemon zest, or maple syrup for extra flavor.
3. Slice and Mash:
   Once tender, carefully remove the paper towels. Slice each sweet potato lengthwise, creating a “boat” shape. Avoid slicing all the way through.
   Gently mash the centers with a fork and pour the spiced butter mixture over the potatoes. Lightly mash again to ensure the flavors soak in.
4. Air Fry the Yams:
   Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.
   Place the sweet potatoes cut side up in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the edges are slightly crispy and the butter caramelizes.
5. Add the Marshmallows:
   Top each sweet potato with mini marshmallows and return to the air fryer. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden and toasted.
6. Serve:
   Drizzle any remaining spiced butter over the top and serve immediately.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Quick and Easy: The air fryer speeds up the process, making this a hassle-free side dish.
• Rich and Flavorful: The spiced butter mixture caramelizes beautifully, adding depth to the natural sweetness of the yams.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for holiday tables or weeknight indulgence.

These air fryer candied yams are the perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and creamy – a holiday classic with a modern twist!

Print Recipe

Airfyer Candied Yams

These air fryer candied yams are sweet, spiced, and topped with gooey marshmallows. Perfect for Thanksgiving or a comforting side dish, ready in minutes!

Ingredients

• 2 medium-size sweet potatoes
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp fresh ginger or a pinch of ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground clove
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup mini marshmallows or more, depending on preference

Optional:

• 1/4 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

• Poke several holes in each sweet potato with a fork to allow steam to escape.
• Dampen a paper towel with water (not soaking wet, just enough to make it damp) Wrap each sweet potato individually in the damp paper towel.
• Place the wrapped sweet potatoes in microwave. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes. After 3 minutes, check for tenderness by inserting fork.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, vanilla extract, brown and white sugar along with all the spices. If using, add orange and lemon zest as well. Stir until fully combined.
• Once tender remove the paper towels from the sweet potatoes and slice each one down the middle lengthwise to create a “boat” shape. Be careful not to slice it completely in half.
• Use a fork to gently mash the center of each sweet potato. Pour the spiced butter mixture generously over the center of the potato and gently mash again.
• Preheat your airfryer to 370F. Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket , cut side up, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the butter has caramelized slightly and the edges are lightly crispy.
• Top each sweet potato with mini marshmallows and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and slightly toasted. Remove from the air fryer and drizzle any remaining spiced butter from the bowl and serve immediately.

Notes

• Sweet Potato Size: If your sweet potatoes are larger, adjust the microwave time to ensure they are fully tender.
• Marshmallow Topping: Feel free to add extra marshmallows if you love that gooey topping. You can also broil them in the oven for an extra crisp finish.
• Flavor Boost: The addition of citrus zest and maple syrup enhances the sweetness and adds a refreshing twist.