Can You Freeze Sweet Potatoes? A Step-by-Step Guide

Can you freeze sweet potatoes? You sure can. We’ll explain how it’s done in our handy step-by-step guide and share some tips to get the best results

Sweet potatoes are a tasty alternative to regular potatoes and can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as boiled, mashed, roasted, or fried. They are packed full of nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, antioxidants, manganese, and fiber. Sweet potatoes are longer and more pointed than regular potatoes and have rougher skin, this is usually removed and the orange, sweet and starchy vegetable inside is eaten.

Can you freeze sweet potatoes? Absolutely. Freezing sweet potatoes is possible with a little preparation and the results produce a similar taste and quality to cooking fresh sweet potatoes. You may want to do this if you’ve bought a lot and think you won’t have time to eat them before they go bad or if you’ve just cooked too much and what to eat them later in the week. We’ll show you how to freeze sweet potatoes in a few simple steps.

How to Freeze Chopped Sweet Potatoes

It is not recommended to freeze completely raw sweet potatoes as they contain a lot of water and they will get freezer burn, meaning they won’t cook well in recipes because the texture will change. The best thing to do is to blanch them before freezing, this means scalding them in boiling water for a very short period and then plunging them into iced water. This method preserves nutrients, texture, and color.

Instructions:

1. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Chop into desired shapes, such as fries, wedges, or cubes.
2. Fill a large pot with water, about three-quarters full. Bring the water to a boil and insert the chopped sweet potatoes. As soon as the water starts to boil again, cook for three minutes.
3. While the chopped sweet potatoes are boiling, fill a large bowl with ice-cold water.
4. After the chopped sweet potatoes have cooked for three minutes, remove them from the hot water and place them in the iced water, use a slotted spoon for this. Allow them to sit for about three minutes.
5. Place a parchment paper substitute on a baking tray. Drain the chopped sweet potatoes using a colander. Dry them with a dish towel and then spread them out individually on the parchment paper substitute.
6. Place the baking sheet in the freezer, where it can lay flat, for one to two hours — until the chopped sweet potatoes are frozen solid.
7. Place in a freezer-safe container or reusable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze again for up to twelve months.
8. Cook from frozen and increase the regular cooking time slightly for extra crispiness.

How to Freeze Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Roasted, boiled or mashed sweet potatoes can be frozen after cooking, with good results after defrosting. Here’s how to do it:

Instructions:

1. Cook the sweet potatoes as desired and allow them to cool.
2. For boiled and mashed sweet potatoes, place them in freezable containers or biodegradable zip-lock bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bags and flatten the mashed potato. Freeze for up to twelve months.
3. To freeze whole roasted or baked sweet potatoes, wrap them individually in aluminum foil (recycle it afterward) and then place them in freezer-safe containers or reusable freezer bags. Freeze for up to twelve months. 
4. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the aluminum foil and heat in the microwave, or keep them wrapped in the oven for roasted or baked whole sweet potatoes, or on the stovetop for mashed potatoes, for the latter, add a splash of plant-based milk or margarine.

Read more:

• Potato Peel Chips: How to Make Fried Potato Skins
• 15 Surprising Foods That Are High in Beta Carotene
• Sweet Potato vs. Russet Potato: Which Is Best?

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

Tags: Food Food Waste Freezing Guide How-To's