Sweet potatoes are widely known as versatile vegetables and easy to prepare in plenty of different ways. You can simply boil, steam, bake or fry them to your liking.
Sweet potatoes are nutritious and delicious, but cooking or preparation always takes time. If you are a regular sweet potato eater, you might be wondering if freezing them is an option.
In this article, we take a closer look into the nitty-gritty of freezing sweet potatoes. Something interesting for you? Read on!
Various Ways To Freeze Sweet Potatoes
If sweet potatoes are always on your lunch or dinner menu, cooking in bulk and freezing them is definitely a feasible option.
One thing to note, raw sweet potatoes do not freeze well. You should cook them before freezing.
Rest assured that you can cook sweet potatoes in plenty of ways to your liking. You can boil, boil, steam, bake, fry, or cook sweet potatoes into savory dishes such as casseroles or mashed potatoes.
How to Freeze Boiled Sweet Potatoes
Freezing boiled sweet potatoes is the easiest to do. It takes no time, and you’re ready with a big pack to go throughout the week.
Here are the steps to freeze boiled potatoes:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Slice or dice sweet potatoes to your preference.
3. Once the water is boiling, throw the sliced or diced sweet potatoes into the pot for 10 – 15 minutes. Wait until they become tender but still quite firm.
4. Drain and let them cool.
5. Divide the boiled sweet potatoes per portion size. If you do this step, it will be easier for thawing, rather than placing all in one bag.
6. Transfer each portion into a freezer bag or container.
7. Leave around ½ headspace if you use a container. Squeeze as much air as possible if you use freezer bags. Make sure to spread them into a flat layer to save space in the freezer.
8. Label each bag or container with a name and date of freezing.
9. Place the bags in the freezer.
How to Freeze Whole Baked Sweet Potatoes
Just like baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes is an all-time favorite. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to prepare. Luckily, pre-baked sweet potatoes freeze well.
You can follow the steps below to freeze whole baked sweet potatoes.
1. Preheat the oven to 375 – 400 °F.
2. Clean and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Make a few holes with a fork.
3. Line an aluminum foil on a baking sheet and place the sweet potatoes.
4. Bake until tender. Use a fork or a toothpick to check. Depending on the size, it may take 1 to 1.5 hours.
5. Let baked sweet potatoes to cool to room temperature.
6. Wrap individually in aluminum foils and transfer into a freezer bag or container. Squeeze as much air as possible if you use freezer bags.
7. Place the container in the freezer.
How to Freeze Oven-Baked Sweet Potatoes Fries
Sweet potato fries are undoubtedly a healthy alternative for regular fries. You can make them in a big batch and freeze for later. Here are the steps.
1. Preheat the oven to 425 °F.
2. Clean and peel the sweet potatoes. Cut them into fries shapes or to your liking.
3. Coat with olive oil, salt, and your favorite spices. You can use black pepper and paprika powder or spices mix.
4. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the cut sweet potatoes into the baking sheet evenly.
5. Bake until tender. Use a toothpick or fork to check if they are thoroughly baked. Depending on the size, it may take 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Let them cool to room temperature.
7. Divide per portion and transfer into a freezer bag. Flatten the bag and squeeze as much air as possible.
8. Label each bag with name, date of freezing, and weight (if you have different portions).
9. Transfer the bags in the freezer.
How to Freeze Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes are a perfect side dish for any main course, especially meaty dishes. Check the steps below to freeze mashed sweet potatoes.
1. Prepare mashed sweet potatoes with your favorite recipes. You can use boiled or baked potatoes to start with. Check the steps in the previous section.
2. Mix 2 tablespoons of orange juice or lemon juice for each quart of mashed potatoes to prevent darkening. This step is optional.
3. Divide mashed sweet potatoes into portion sizes.
4. Place them into a freezer bag. Flatten the bag and remove as much air as possible.
5. Label each bag with name, date of freezing, and weight (if necessary).
6. Place the bags in the freezer.
How To Defrost Frozen Sweet Potatoes
There are a few options when it comes to defrosting frozen potatoes safely, depending on how you prepare and use them.
1.Overnight in the refrigerator
As usual, this method takes time, so make sure to plan it ahead of time. If you want to have it in the morning or for lunch, you can thaw frozen sweet potatoes overnight in the refrigerator.
2.In the oven
For baked sweet potatoes, you can always re-bake them in the oven. You can also add some butter or more spices if you like.
3.Use while frozen
If you want to use frozen sweet potatoes for cooked dishes, such as stews or soup, you don’t even need to thaw them. Throw them into the pan while still frozen and let them cook.
How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last in the Freezer?
Freezing sweet potatoes prolongs the shelf life of cooked potatoes considerably up to a year tops. If stored longer, frozen sweet potatoes may start to lose their flavor.
After thawing, use immediately. If you have leftovers, keep them refrigerated in a sealed airtight container.
You should store raw sweet potatoes in a cool, dark spot, away from heat and sunlight. As usual, your pantry or basement is an ideal place.
Can you freeze sweet potato casserole?
Yes. Freezing sweet potato casserole is easy and straightforward. Cool it down to room temperature and pack it into a freezer-safe container. Place it in the freezer for later use.
Can you freeze sweet potatoes puree?
Yes, you can freeze the puree in ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and transfer them into a freezer bag or container.
Summary
Sweet potatoes make the perfect pair for any dishes. You can cook in bulk ahead of time and freeze them for up to a year. You can prepare them in plenty of ways to your liking, such as by boiling, steaming, baking, mashing, or cooking them into dishes.
When it comes to defrosting, you can do it in the refrigerator, re-bake them in the oven, or throw them frozen while cooking the dishes.
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
