Have you ever tried a dish that combines sweet and salty, tender and crunchy all in one? It’s a magical experience, and sweet potatoes are the perfect ingredient to achieve that balance. They are so naturally sweet, tender and delicious that they could easily be mistaken for dessert.

In fact, many of the most popular sweet potato recipes involve adding even more sweetness, like marshmallows and candied pecans. While those dishes are undeniably delicious, there’s also something to be said for exploring the savory side of sweet potatoes.

With a little salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, sweet potatoes can become a sophisticated and savory dish. And when you add a touch of spice, like in these Bacon Candied Yams, you really take the dish to the next level.

Brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla bring out the sweetness of the yams in this recipe, while pepper, fresh thyme, chili powder, and bacon provide the perfect savory counterpoint. The result is a dish that satisfies all your cravings at once – it’s both comforting and exciting, familiar and unexpected.

Along with this balance of flavors, they offer a great contrast of textures. The crunch of the bacon contrasts with the melted smoothness of the baked yams, and the sweet stickiness of the glaze ties them together.