How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes in the Instant Pot

One of my favorite holiday side dishes is candied sweet potatoes, and the Instant Pot makes this classic Southern recipe fast and easy. With just a few simple ingredients and five minutes of pressure cooking, you can have tender, caramelized sweet potatoes ready to serve alongside ham or turkey.

After getting an electric pressure cooker, I tested how quickly I could adapt my traditional candied sweet potatoes to the Instant Pot. The result: beautifully tender sweet potatoes in minutes, with a sweet buttery syrup and marshmallows melted on top if you like that classic finish.

Watch the Instant Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes video below

There is a short video that demonstrates the steps and timing, which is helpful if you’re new to pressure cooking. The method is straightforward: prepare the sweet potatoes, combine the syrup, pressure cook briefly, then top with marshmallows or serve as-is.

How to make Instant Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 3–4 pounds fresh sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into thick wedges
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
• 1½ cups brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2–3 cups mini marshmallows (optional)

Directions

1. Wash, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized thick wedges so they cook uniformly.
2. Place the wedges in cool water while you prepare the syrup to prevent browning, then drain in a colander.
3. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth to make the candied syrup.
4. Place the sweet potato wedges in the Instant Pot inner pot in a single layer if possible. Pour the candied syrup over the potatoes, coating them evenly.
5. Secure the lid and set the valve to the sealed position. Select the Steam or Pressure Cook function on Normal and set the cook time to 5 minutes.
6. When the cook time ends, perform a quick release to vent the steam. Use caution and keep your face and hands away from the steam path.
7. Open the lid away from you once all pressure has released and turn the Instant Pot off.
8. If you want the classic marshmallow topping, sprinkle 2–3 cups of mini marshmallows over the hot sweet potatoes, replace the lid (do not lock it) and let sit for about 5 minutes until the marshmallows soften and melt. Alternatively, transfer the potatoes to a serving dish and toast the marshmallows briefly under a broiler if desired.
9. Serve directly from the pot or transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a few extra marshmallows. This recipe yields about 10 servings.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Choose the right potatoes: Small to medium sweet potatoes are usually sweeter and creamier. Avoid ones with soft spots or cracks.
• Cut for even cooking: Slice the potatoes into similar-sized wedges so they cook at the same rate.
• Don’t overcrowd: Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding can lead to uneven results.
• Flavor balance: Cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar enhance the natural sweetness. A pinch of salt balances the flavors.
• Quick release: Use quick release to stop cooking promptly; this helps prevent mushy sweet potatoes.

With these tips and the short Instant Pot cooking time, you can make candied sweet potatoes that are tender, glossy and rich with flavor—perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal.

Recipe Details

Print the Instant Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe below

Leftovers and Variations

Leftover candied sweet potatoes can be repurposed into sweet potato bread, muffins, or a warm casserole. For a lighter variation, reduce the corn syrup and increase maple syrup or just use a little orange juice with maple syrup for a brighter flavor.

More Instant Pot Side Dish Ideas

If you enjoy this recipe, try other Instant Pot side dishes such as pressure-cooked green beans or a quick glazed carrot recipe. The Instant Pot saves time and keeps vegetables bright and tender for holiday meals.

If you have questions or want recipe suggestions, you can contact the recipe author by email listed on the original site. Share your results on social media if you try this Instant Pot candied sweet potatoes—it’s a reliable, crowd-pleasing holiday side dish.