Crispy Outside, Soft & Sweet Inside! Easy Sweet Potato Fries (Sweet Potato Pancake Style)
Crispy Outside, Soft & Sweet Inside! Easy Sweet Potato Fries (Sweet Potato Pancake Style)
Easy Sweet Potato Fries Recipe Using Less Oil
Enjoy these sweet potato fries, made by pan-frying instead of deep-frying! They’re crispy on the outside and wonderfully sweet on the inside, making them a perfect snack for kids or an appetizer for adults. Discover a special way to enjoy sweet potatoes that’s healthier and more convenient with less oil.
Main Ingredients- 1 medium sweet potato
- 1 cup (approx. 100g) tempura flour
- 3/4 cup (approx. 150ml) water
- 1-2 ice cubes
- Pinch of dried parsley (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the sweet potato thoroughly. While the peel contains beneficial nutrients, it can sometimes affect the texture in fries, so you can either peel it lightly with a peeler or simply scrape off the skin roughly with the peeler. Slice the sweet potato into pieces about 0.5 cm thick. It’s important not to slice them too thinly so the batter adheres well.
Step 2
Today, we’re making sweet potato fries by pan-frying, so we’ll pre-cook the sweet potato slightly. Place the sliced sweet potato in a microwave-safe dish and add a little water. Cooking time varies depending on your microwave’s wattage, but typically takes 1 to 1 minute 30 seconds. I microwaved mine for 1 minute, then flipped and microwaved for another 30 seconds. Avoid overcooking, as the sweet potato can become mushy; aim for about 70-80% cooked. Pre-cooking like this ensures the inside is cooked through while the fries hold their shape.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the batter for the sweet potato fries. In a bowl, add 1 cup of tempura flour and pour in 3/4 cup of water. The consistency of the batter is key. Mix it well so it’s neither too thick nor too thin – this is the crucial point. Adding 1-2 ice cubes to the batter will help make the fries extra crispy. Just mix it roughly with chopsticks.
Step 4
For an extra aromatic touch, you can add a pinch of dried parsley (optional). You don’t need to add extra salt because store-bought tempura flour usually contains sufficient seasoning. Mix the tempura flour, water, ice cubes, and parsley together until there are no lumps, just a rough mixture.
Step 5
Add the pre-cooked sweet potato slices to the batter. Coat each slice evenly with the batter, turning them to ensure both sides are well-covered. Be careful not to apply too thick a layer of batter, as this can make the fries soggy; a thin coating is best.
Step 6
Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, carefully place the batter-coated sweet potato slices into the pan. When the batter around the edges starts to bubble slightly and cook, it’s a sign that the fries are becoming crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy fries. Add them in batches according to your pan’s size.
Step 7
Once one side is golden brown, carefully flip the sweet potato fries and cook the other side until it’s equally golden and crispy. Flip them occasionally, ensuring both sides are nicely browned.
Step 8
Instead of deep-frying, we’re pan-frying them with a good amount of oil. This method results in a crispy exterior, similar to a pancake, while keeping the inside tender and naturally sweet. It’s a great advantage as it uses significantly less oil than traditional deep-frying while achieving a comparable crispiness.
Step 9
Place the freshly fried sweet potato fries on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. They are best enjoyed immediately while still warm! Take a bite, and you’ll experience the delightful crunch of the exterior followed by the soft, sweet potato filling – truly a taste of honey. They are perfect as a snack for children.
Step 10
They are best enjoyed immediately while still warm! Take a bite, and you’ll experience the delightful crunch of the exterior followed by the soft, sweet potato filling – truly a taste of honey. Drain the excess oil briefly, and then savor this delicious treat!
