Quick answer
Yes, you can use a mandoline to cut sweet potatoes. A mandoline is a handy kitchen tool with adjustable blades that can thinly and uniformly slice, cut, or julienne fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Sweet potatoes are firm, so they can be safely run through a mandoline to produce very thin slices or waffle/crinkle cuts. Just be sure to use the guard and cut away from your hand to avoid slicing your fingers.
What is a mandoline?
A mandoline is a manual kitchen appliance used for slicing and cutting fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and other foods very thinly and uniformly. It consists of a flat frame with adjustable stainless steel blades. Food items are slid along the platform over the blade to cut them into slices, juliennes, crinkle cuts, or waffle cuts.
Mandolines have razor-sharp blades, so they require safe handling to avoid cutting yourself. Most mandolines come with a hand guard or food holder attachment that secures the food and protects your hands during use. Higher-end models have interchangeable blades that can adjust thickness and julienne blades for matchstick cuts. Some also have waffle/crinkle cut blades for ridges and grooves.
Benefits of Using a Mandoline
There are several advantages to using a mandoline versus a knife when prepping ingredients:
- Uniform precision – The adjustable blades slice ingredients to a uniform thickness not easily achievable with a knife. This leads to even cooking.
- Fast slicing – A mandoline works much faster than hand slicing for ingredients like potatoes or cabbage.
- Less waste – The razor-thin cuts possible with a mandoline reduce food waste.
- Matchstick and crinkle cuts – Mandolines can produce fancy and decorative cuts like juliennes and crinkle-cut fries.
- Safety features – Most mandolines have hand guards, holders, or gloves to protect fingers when in use.
Overall, a quality mandoline ensures perfect cuts and slices with much less time and effort than using a knife. It’s a handy tool for prepping large batches of ingredients.
Can You Use a Mandoline for Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, a mandoline is great for slicing sweet potatoes nice and thin. The hard, sturdy texture of sweet potatoes makes them ideal for mandolining. With the right techniques, you can cut sweet potato slices, shoestrings, crinkle cuts, and other shapes.
Tips for Cutting Sweet Potatoes on a Mandoline
Follow these tips for safely and successfully mandoline slicing sweet potatoes:
- Wash, peel, and trim potatoes – Remove all dirt, skin imperfections, and green areas.
- Secure the mandoline – Lock legs and clamp to a table or counter before use.
- Use the hand guard – Always use the food holder or hand guard for safety.
- Work with stiff/sturdy potatoes – Avoid old, soft potatoes more prone to mushiness.
- Cut perpendicular to the blade – Slice straight up and down, don’t saw back and forth.
- Work slowly – Don’t rush the cutting, apply gentle, even pressure.
- Watch your fingers – Never put hands near blade without the guard.
- Rinse after use – Rinse sweet potato starch off blade to prevent residue buildup.
The mandoline’s razor-sharp blades will slice through sweet potato flesh with ease when using proper posturing and the correct motions. Take your time and cut perpendicularly. Let the blade do the work.
What Are Good Uses for Thinly Sliced Sweet Potatoes?
Here are some tasty ways to use mandoline-cut sweet potato slices:
Sweet Potato Chips
Thin slices of sweet potato can be tossed in oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, chili powder or cajun seasoning, and baked into healthy veggie chips. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
Sweet Potato Gratin
Layer thinly sliced sweet potatoes in a baking dish alternating with cream, cheese, butter, and spices. Bake covered for tender sweet potato gratin.
Sweet Potato Fries
Cut potato wedges, batons, or shoestrings and bake with oil to make oven sweet potato fries. They get crispy outside and soft inside.
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes
Saute mandoline-cut sweet potato coins in butter with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to caramelize their natural sugars.
Sweet Potato Dauphinoise
For a decadent dish, arrange finely sliced potatoes with heavy cream and Gruyere cheese for sweet potato dauphinoise.
Roasted Veggie Medley
Toss thin sweet potato slices with other fall veggies like cauliflower, carrots, and parsnips for a delicious roasted medley.
What Other Foods Can be Cut with a Mandoline?
In addition to sweet potatoes, mandolines can thinly and evenly slice many other fruits and vegetables, including:
Common Mandoline Uses
| Fruits | Vegetables |
|---|---|
| Apples | Carrots |
| Pears | Cucumbers |
| Melons | Zucchini |
| Pineapple | Squash |
| Lemons/limes | Onions |
| Plantains | Cabbage |
| Mangos | Fennel |
| Tomatoes | Eggplant |
In addition to fruits and veggies, a mandoline can also thinly slice or shred:
- Cheese for salads or garnishing
- Mushrooms and radishes
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Citrus zest
- Chocolate for desserts
With the ultra-sharp blades, almost any firm food can be cut paper-thin with precision and speed.
Mandoline Slicing Technique
Follow proper mandoline form every time for the safest, most effective use:
- Prep ingredients – Wash, peel, and trim food as needed.
- Secure mandoline – Lock legs on a table or counter.
- Adjust blade – Set thickness slider for desired thinness.
- Attach guard – Secure hand guard or food holder.
- Hold food vertically – Grip food upright using the guard.
- Slice vertically – Cut straight down, don’t saw back and forth.
- Apply light pressure – Let the blade do the work.
- Watch fingers – Keep hands away from blades.
- Use length stop – Only slice halfway for shorter cuts.
- Collect slices – In a pan or on a cutting board.
Proper posture and control are key. Go slow and let the impossibly sharp blades slice the food. Never put your hands directly in the path of the blade.
Mandoline Maintenance
Mandolines must be cleaned and cared for after each use to maintain their performance and longevity.
Cleaning
Rinse the mandoline blades immediately after each use to remove food residue that can stain and corrode the metal over time.
Wash detachable pieces like hand guards and food holders in hot, soapy water. sanitize all parts occasionally.
Dry thoroughly since moisture leads to rust and dulling of blades.
Safety Tips
– Check for damage before each use. Dull, bent or broken blades must be replaced.
– Lubricate adjustable parts. Keep sliders and dials moving smoothly.
– Store securely. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cabinet.
– Cut away from yourself. Never position hands in line with the blade.
– Focus when using. Don’t slice while distracted.
With proper cleaning and handling, a mandoline can deliver perfect cuts for years of kitchen use. Take care of this razor-sharp tool.
Types of Mandolines
Mandolines come in a range of styles and price points. The main options are:
Basic Mandolines
Simple manual mandolines have a basic hand frame, straight blade, and adjustable thickness slider. The food holder guard prevents slipping. Budget-friendly at $10-$30 but more limited.
Premium Mandolines
Higher-end mandolines like those from Benriner or Swissmar have sturdy metal construction and interchangeable julienne and crinkle blades for fancier cuts. $70-$200.
Specialty Mandolines
Designed for specific tasks like waffle/ridge cutting or spiralizing. Often $30-$60.
Electric Mandolines
Operate with the push of a button for fast, uniform slicing without the manual work. Expensive at $100-$500.
Choose a mandoline with the features and capabilities to suit your kitchen needs and budget. Even basic models excel at fast, uniform slicing jobs.
Mandoline vs. Food Processor
Both mandolines and food processors prep ingredients fast, so which is better?
Mandoline Advantages
- Thinner and more precision cuts – better for dishes where uniformity matters
- Greater versatility – adjustable blades for slicing, crinkle cuts, juliennes
- Compact size – takes up less storage space
- Easy to clean – hand wash only
- Simple operation – fast to use for quick jobs
Food Processor Advantages
- More power – can cut harder items like meat
- Greater capacity – for large batch prep
- Additional capabilities – pureeing, mixing, dough making
- Security – hands don’t go near the blades
- Automated – press a button and walk away
For thin, precise, quick slicing tasks on veggies and fruit, mandolines excel. Food processors are the choice for chopping, grinding, and prep work that requires strength. Many cooks find having both kitchen tools is helpful.
Safety Tips for Using Mandolines
While extremely handy, mandoline blades are dangerously sharp. Follow these tips every time you use a mandoline:
- Use the hand guard – This is critical to protect fingers.
- Grip food vertically – Don’t slice horizontally.
- Pay attention – Focus when slicing; don’t get distracted.
- Work slowly – Don’t rush the slicing motion.
- Secure it – Lock legs on a table; don’t hold freehand.
- Store safely – Keep out of reach of children.
- Replace dull blades – Sharpness prevents slipping accidents.
Also consider buying cut-resistant gloves for even more protection. Make sure your mandoline blades are incredibly sharp. With caution, attention, and the right techniques, mandolines are very safe kitchen tools.
Quick Tips for Using a Mandoline
Keep these quick mandoline usage tips in mind:
- Adjust thickness for desired slice thinness.
- Use swift, even pressure – don’t saw back and forth.
- Cut perpendicular to the blade for straight slices.
- Work in batches if needed to fill hand guard.
- Watch fingers at all times.
- Rinse blades after each use to remove residue.
- Let sliced food fall onto a board or pan.
- Hand wash only. Don’t put in dishwasher.
- Replace dull blades for maximum safety.
With practice, using a mandoline becomes quick and easy. Always focus on the blades and protecting your hands.
Conclusion
Mandolines are inexpensive but extremely handy kitchen tools that can expedite slicing and cutting tasks with precision. Sweet potatoes can absolutely be cut using a mandoline. Their firm texture ensures neat, consistent slices not easy to achieve with a knife alone. Withcaution and the use of the accompanying guards, mandolines allow for rapidly prepping sweet potato fries, chips, gratins, and other dishes requiring thin cuts. Just bear in mind the ultra-sharp blades and use good technique to safely and effectively operate your mandoline.