Olivia Carter
If you’re a fan of crispy and flavorful sweet potato fries, then this recipe is for you! Making sweet potato fries in a deep fryer is the perfect way to achieve that deliciously crispy texture that everyone loves. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can easily recreate this popular side dish at home.
Sweet potatoes are not only tasty, but they’re also packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a healthier alternative to regular french fries. By using a deep fryer, you can ensure that your sweet potato fries cook evenly and stay crispy on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside.
To start, you’ll want to peel and cut your sweet potatoes into evenly sized fries. This will help them cook at the same rate and ensure that you get consistent results. You can choose to cut them into thin or thick fries, depending on your personal preference.
Once your sweet potatoes are cut, it’s important to thoroughly dry them before frying. Excess water on the fries can cause the oil to splatter, so pat them dry with a paper towel or dishcloth. If you have time, you can even let them sit out for a bit to air dry.
Steps to Prepare Sweet Potatoes for Deep Frying
Preparing sweet potatoes for deep frying requires a few simple steps to ensure that you end up with crispy and delicious fries. Follow these instructions to get your sweet potatoes ready:
1. Choose the Right Potatoes
Look for firm and unblemished sweet potatoes that are free from any soft spots or mold. Selecting the right potatoes will ensure that they cook evenly and have the perfect texture.
2. Peel and Cut
Start by peeling the sweet potatoes using a vegetable peeler or a small knife. Once peeled, cut the potatoes into even-sized matchsticks. Aim for fries that are about 1/4 inch wide to ensure they cook evenly.
3. Soak in Water
After cutting the sweet potatoes, place them in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier fries.
4. Dry the Potatoes
After the soaking time is up, drain the sweet potatoes and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing excess moisture is important for achieving crispy fries.
5. Preheat the Deep Fryer
Before you start frying, preheat your deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Preheating ensures that the sweet potatoes cook quickly and evenly.
6. Fry in Batches
Divide the sweet potatoes into small batches for frying. Overcrowding the fryer will lower the temperature and make the fries soggy. Fry each batch for about 3-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
7. Drain and Season
Once the sweet potato fries are done, remove them from the fryer using tongs or a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Season with salt or any other desired spices while they are still hot.
Now that your sweet potatoes are prepared, they are ready to be enjoyed as a delicious and crispy snack or side dish!
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| – Firm sweet potatoes | 1. Choose the right potatoes. |
| – Vegetable peeler or knife | 2. Peel and cut the potatoes into matchsticks. |
| – Cold water | 3. Soak the potatoes in water. |
| – Clean kitchen towel or paper towels | 4. Dry the potatoes. |
| – Deep fryer | 5. Preheat the deep fryer. |
| – Salt or desired spices | 6. Fry the potatoes in batches. |
| 7. Drain and season the fries. |
Peel and Wash the Sweet Potatoes
Before you can make crispy sweet potato fries, you need to start by peeling and washing the sweet potatoes. This will help remove any dirt or impurities from the surface of the potatoes and ensure that you have a clean base for your fries.
To peel the sweet potatoes, you can use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife. Start at one end of the sweet potato and carefully peel away the skin, working your way around the entire potato. Make sure to remove any dark spots or blemishes as you go.
After peeling the sweet potatoes, give them a good rinse under cold water to remove any remaining dirt or debris. Use your hands to gently rub the potatoes, ensuring that you clean all the nooks and crannies. Once they are clean, pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
Tips:
- Choose sweet potatoes that are firm and free from any soft spots or mold.
- If you prefer to keep the skin on, you can simply scrub the sweet potatoes clean instead of peeling them.
- Don’t leave the peeled sweet potatoes sitting in water for too long, as this can cause them to become waterlogged and affect their texture.
Now that your sweet potatoes are peeled and washed, they are ready to be cut into fries and cooked to crispy perfection!
Cut the Sweet Potatoes into Thin Strips
Before you start cutting the sweet potatoes, make sure they are washed and cleaned thoroughly. You can choose to peel off the skin or leave it on, depending on your preference.
Next, take a sharp knife and carefully slice the sweet potatoes into thin strips. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch to ensure that they cook evenly and become crispy.
If you want your sweet potato fries to have a uniform shape, you can use a mandoline slicer or a French fry cutter. This will help you achieve fries that are all the same size and shape, resulting in a more consistent texture when cooking.
As you cut the sweet potatoes, transfer them to a large bowl filled with cold water. This will prevent them from oxidizing and turning brown before cooking. Let the fries soak in the water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch and make them crispier.
After the sweet potatoes have soaked, drain them well and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. It’s important to remove as much moisture as possible to ensure the fries become crispy when deep-fried.
If you don’t have a deep fryer, you can also bake the sweet potato fries in the oven. Simply preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), spread the fries out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
Now that you have successfully cut the sweet potatoes into thin strips, you are ready to move on to the next step in making crispy sweet potato fries in a deep fryer.
Soak the Sweet Potato Strips in Water
Before frying the sweet potato strips, it is important to soak them in water. This step helps to remove excess starch from the potatoes, resulting in crispier fries.
Start by peeling and cutting the sweet potatoes into uniform strips. Aim for strips that are about 1/4 inch thick.
Fill a large bowl with cold water and place the sweet potato strips in the water. Allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, but you can also leave them in the water for up to 2 hours. The longer they soak, the crispier they will become.
Soaking the sweet potato strips in water helps to remove some of the starch, which can cause the fries to become soggy. It also helps to prevent the fries from sticking together when they are fried.
After the soaking time is up, drain the water from the bowl and pat the sweet potato strips dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. It is important to remove as much moisture as possible to ensure crispy fries.
Now the sweet potato strips are ready to be fried in the deep fryer to create delicious and crispy sweet potato fries.
Dry the Sweet Potato Strips
After cutting the sweet potatoes into strips, it’s important to dry them thoroughly before frying. Excess moisture can prevent the fries from becoming crispy, so taking the time to remove as much moisture as possible is key.
Start by placing the sweet potato strips on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Gently pat them dry to absorb any moisture on the surface.
Next, arrange the strips on a wire rack in a single layer, making sure there is space between each strip. This will allow air to circulate and help them dry out more quickly.
Leave the sweet potato strips to air dry for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, it’s even better to leave them for an hour or two. This will give them the best chance of becoming crispy.
While the sweet potato strips are drying, you can prepare the deep fryer. Make sure it is clean and filled with the appropriate amount of oil according to the fryer’s instructions.
Setting up the Deep Fryer
Before you start making crispy sweet potato fries, you’ll need to set up your deep fryer properly. Follow these steps to ensure everything is ready:
- Choose the right oil: For the best results, use a high smoke point oil like peanut, canola, or vegetable oil. These oils can withstand the high temperatures required for deep frying without burning.
- Fill the deep fryer: Fill the deep fryer with enough oil to completely immerse the sweet potato fries. The exact amount will depend on the size of your fryer, but it’s usually around 2-3 inches deep.
- Preheat the deep fryer: Turn on your deep fryer and set the temperature to 375°F (190°C). Preheating the oil ensures that the sweet potato fries cook evenly and become crispy.
- Use a thermometer: To make sure the oil reaches the right temperature, use a deep-fry thermometer. It’s important to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process.
- Prepare a baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with paper towels or a wire rack to drain the excess oil from the sweet potato fries after frying. This will help them stay crispy.
Now that your deep fryer is set up, you’re ready to move on to preparing the sweet potato fries.
FAQ
What kind of oil should I use to fry sweet potato fries?
To make crispy sweet potato fries, it is recommended to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or peanut oil. These oils will maintain their stability at high temperatures, allowing the fries to crisp up nicely.
Can I make crispy sweet potato fries without a deep fryer?
Yes, you can still make crispy sweet potato fries without a deep fryer. Instead of deep frying, you can try baking the sweet potato fries. Preheat your oven to a high temperature, toss the fries in a little oil and seasoning, and spread them out on a baking sheet. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown.
