Air Fryer Candied Yams with Marshmallows: A Modern Twist on a Holiday Classic

Prepare to elevate your holiday feast with a truly unforgettable side dish: Dad’s Air Fryer Candied Yams with Marshmallows. This recipe takes the cherished, sweet, and buttery candied yams, blankets them with a layer of perfectly toasted, gooey marshmallows, and achieves absolute perfection using the magic of an air fryer. This ingenious method not only dramatically slashes cooking time but also guarantees a deliciously caramelized finish that offers an irresistible balance of crispy edges and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Say goodbye to soggy yams and hello to your new favorite holiday tradition!

Candied yams have long been a beloved staple on holiday tables across America, evoking feelings of warmth, family gatherings, and festive cheer. The classic preparation often involves slow baking in the oven, a process that, while traditional, can tie up oven space for extended periods. Our modern air fryer approach respects the nostalgic flavors you adore while introducing unparalleled convenience and a superior texture. The intense, circulating heat of the air fryer crisps the exterior of the yams to a delightful caramel while keeping the inside beautifully soft and sweet. Topped with marshmallows that turn golden brown and delightfully gooey, this dish is a sensory delight that appeals to both children and adults.

Why Air Fry Your Candied Yams?

The air fryer has revolutionized home cooking, and candied yams are no exception. Here’s why this method is a game-changer for your holiday menu:

• Speed and Efficiency: Traditional oven-baked yams can take upwards of an hour. The air fryer significantly cuts down on this time, allowing you to prepare this delectable side dish in as little as 20 minutes from start to finish. This is especially valuable during busy holiday cooking, freeing up your main oven for other dishes.
• Superior Texture: The air fryer excels at creating crispy, caramelized surfaces. This means your candied yams will have a beautifully golden-brown exterior with slightly crispy edges, a texture that is difficult to achieve consistently in a conventional oven.
• Even Cooking: The powerful convection currents within an air fryer ensure that heat is distributed evenly around the food. When yams are arranged in a single layer, each piece gets perfectly cooked and caramelized without hot spots.
• Energy Saving: Air fryers are typically more energy-efficient than large ovens, especially when cooking smaller batches.
• Reduced Overheating: Keeping the oven off or used for less time helps keep your kitchen cooler during lengthy holiday cooking sessions.

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Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes: Understanding the Distinction

In the United States, there’s a common culinary mix-up: what most people call “yams” are actually a type of sweet potato. True yams (Dioscorea species) are a starchy root vegetable native to Africa and Asia, typically with rough, bark-like skin and a drier, more starchy flesh. They are not commonly found in regular U.S. grocery stores.

The “yams” you buy in American supermarkets for candied yam recipes are almost always sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), specifically the orange-fleshed, moist variety. These sweet potatoes are characterized by their naturally sweet flavor, soft texture when cooked, and vibrant orange color. They are perfect for candying because their high sugar content caramelizes beautifully, and their smooth texture readily absorbs the sweet, buttery glaze. For this recipe, and virtually any American recipe calling for “yams,” we are indeed using these delicious orange sweet potatoes.

The Essential Ingredients for Perfect Candied Yams

Creating this irresistible side dish requires a simple list of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in developing that classic flavor profile:

• Sweet Potatoes (Yams): The star of the show. While fresh sweet potatoes can be peeled, sliced, and par-boiled, using canned yams (sweet potatoes) significantly speeds up preparation. They are already cooked and tender, ready to soak up the glorious sauce.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness, helps create a smooth sauce, and contributes to the golden caramelization.
• Brown Sugar: The key to the “candied” effect. Brown sugar offers a deep molasses flavor that complements the sweet potatoes perfectly, creating a luscious, sticky glaze.
• Warm Spices (Cinnamon and Nutmeg): These classic holiday spices infuse the yams with comforting, aromatic notes that are synonymous with festive meals. They add depth and warmth to the overall flavor.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, preventing the dish from being overly cloying.
• Yam Juice (from canned yams): Reserving some of the liquid from the canned yams is a brilliant trick. It adds natural sweetness and helps create a flavorful, thinner sauce that coats the yams beautifully before thickening.
• Marshmallows: The crowning glory! Mini or large marshmallows work wonderfully, melting into a gooey, sweet topping that browns and lightly crisps under the air fryer’s heat, providing a delightful contrast in texture and an extra layer of sweetness.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Air Fried Candied Yams with Marshmallows

This recipe is designed for ease and delicious results, whether you’re a seasoned cook or a holiday novice. Follow these clear steps to achieve perfect candied yams every time:

1. Prepare the Yams: If using canned yams (sweet potatoes), open the can and carefully drain the liquid into a separate bowl. You will need about 3 tablespoons of this liquid for the sauce, so be sure to reserve it. If using fresh sweet potatoes, peel them, cut them into even 1-inch pieces, and par-boil them until just tender-crisp (about 10-15 minutes).
2. Preheat Your Appliance: If using an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). If you’re opting for the traditional oven method, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure your chosen cooking vessel (air fryer basket, oven-safe dish) can accommodate the yams in a single layer or a relatively even spread for best results.
3. Create the Candied Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the reserved 3 tablespoons of yam juice (or water if using fresh yams). Place the pan over medium heat and stir constantly until the butter is melted, the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture begins to bubble and liquefy into a smooth, fragrant sauce. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

4. Coat the Yams: Remove the sauce from the heat and pour it evenly over the drained sweet potatoes in your oven-safe container or air fryer basket. Gently toss or stir the yams to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated with the rich, sweet glaze.
5. Initial Cooking Phase (Caramelization):
   • Air Fryer Method: Place the coated yams in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook for 10-15 minutes at 350°F (175°C), shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking and caramelization. The yams should be warmed through and developing a nice glazed exterior.
   • Oven Method: Bake the yams in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the yams to fully absorb the flavors and become tender, with the sauce thickening slightly.

6. Add the Marshmallows: Once the yams are warmed and caramelized, carefully remove them from the air fryer or oven. Generously top them with the marshmallows. For best results, arrange them in an even layer.

7. Final Browning (Marshmallows):
   • Air Fryer Method: Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, watching carefully! Marshmallows can burn quickly. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown, gooey topping.
   • Oven Method: Return the dish to the oven and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the marshmallows are puffed up and golden brown. If your oven has a broiler, you can use it for 1-2 minutes for quicker browning, but watch constantly to prevent burning.

Recipe Card: Candied Yams with Marshmallows

Tips for Success and Variations

To ensure your air fryer candied yams are absolutely perfect, keep these tips in mind:

• Even Slicing: If using fresh sweet potatoes, ensure all pieces are cut to a similar size for even cooking. For canned yams, they are typically already in uniform slices or chunks.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: For optimal caramelization and crispiness, cook the yams in a single layer. If you have a large batch, work in batches.
• Watch the Marshmallows Closely: Marshmallows can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. Stay near your air fryer or oven during the final browning step.
• Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to slightly reduce or increase the brown sugar based on your preference for sweetness.
• Add a Crunch: For an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts over the yams before adding the marshmallows.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with additional spices like a pinch of ginger, allspice, or a dash of vanilla extract in the sauce for a unique twist.
• Citrus Zest: A little orange zest added to the sauce can brighten the flavors beautifully.

Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Table

Air fryer candied yams with marshmallows are a versatile side dish that complements a wide array of holiday favorites. Serve them hot, with the marshmallows still wonderfully gooey and slightly toasted. They pair perfectly with:

• Roasted Turkey or Ham: The sweetness of the yams provides a delightful contrast to savory meats.
• Roast Chicken: A simpler main course that benefits from this rich and flavorful side.
• Other Holiday Sides: Think alongside green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and of course, Dad’s famous cranberry sauce!
• Dessert Alternative: Honestly, these are so deliciously sweet and satisfying, they could almost pass as a dessert themselves!

Storage and Reheating

Leftover candied yams can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in the microwave or, for best results, reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through, then add a few fresh marshmallows and toast them quickly if desired. The marshmallows might not be as perfectly gooey as fresh, but the yams will still be delicious.

You know what goes great with these?

No holiday meal is complete without the vibrant, tart sweetness of cranberry sauce. Dad can show you how to whip up an amazing Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce in about 30 minutes, freeing up your stovetop and making holiday prep a breeze!

Did you know Dad is on YouTube?

For even more culinary inspiration, including detailed cooking demonstrations, helpful tips, and a wide array of food-related content, be sure to check out Dad’s YouTube channel. You’ll find videos that bring these recipes to life and help you become a more confident and adventurous cook!

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Embrace the ease and deliciousness of this air fryer candied yams recipe. It’s a testament to how modern kitchen appliances can enhance cherished traditions, bringing families together around a table filled with incredible food, faster and more efficiently than ever before. Enjoy the delightful combination of crispy, caramelized yams and sweet, melty marshmallows with every single bite!