Sweet potato fries make a delicious and healthier alternative to regular french fries. They have a naturally sweet taste and contain more vitamins, minerals and fiber than regular potatoes. The only downside to sweet potato fries is that they don’t keep as well and go bad quickly if not stored properly.
Freezing is the best way to preserve sweet potato fries and enjoy their taste and texture for months. With some simple preparation, you can have a stash of sweet potato fries in your freezer ready to cook whenever you get a craving.
Here are some tips on how to prepare and freeze sweet potato fries so they stay crispy and delicious:
What Are The Benefits of Freezing Sweet Potato Fries?
Freezing sweet potato fries has several advantages:
– Extends shelf life – Properly frozen sweet potato fries can last 8-12 months in the freezer. Without freezing, they will only last a few days in the fridge.
– Preserves texture – Correct freezing methods prevent sweet potato fries from getting mushy and soggy.
– Convenience – Having frozen pre-cut fries ready to cook saves time preparing them fresh each time.
– Availability – Enjoy sweet potato fries year-round, even when fresh ones are not in season.
– Less food waste – Freeze extra sweet potato fries to avoid having them go bad. Thaw and cook as needed.
– Budget-friendly – Buy sweet potatoes in bulk when on sale and freeze extras for later.
How To Select Sweet Potatoes For Freezing
Picking the right sweet potatoes is key to getting the best results when freezing:
– Choose firm, unblemished sweet potatoes without any soft spots or bruises.
– Small to medium-sized sweet potatoes work best. Avoid extremely large sweet potatoes, which tend to be starchier.
– Opt for sweet potatoes with uniform shape to make cutting fries easier.
– Pick sweet potatoes that feel heavy for their size and have smooth, taut skin.
– Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes hold their shape better when cut compared to pale-fleshed varieties.
– Ask your grocer for recently harvested sweet potatoes in fall and early winter months.
How To Prep Sweet Potatoes For Fries
Proper prep is crucial for sweet potato fries that freeze well:
– Wash and dry sweet potatoes thoroughly before cutting. Dirt and moisture can damage quality when freezing.
– Peel sweet potatoes using a vegetable peeler or paring knife. Peels can become slimy during freezing.
– Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch thick fries. Consistent sizing ensures even cooking.
– Pat cut fries dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. Remove excess moisture for better freezing.
– Blanch par-cooked fries for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender but still very firm. This prevents oxidation and improves texture.
– Cool blanched fries completely on a parchment lined baking sheet before freezing.
How To Blanch Sweet Potato Fries Before Freezing
Blanching partially cooks the sweet potato fries before freezing. Follow these steps:
– Fill a large pot with lightly salted water (1 Tbsp salt per 4 quarts of water). Bring to a boil.
– Add sweet potato fries in a single layer and blanch for 2-3 minutes. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
– Use a slotted spoon to transfer blanched fries to a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool.
– Spread fries in a single layer and let cool for 15-20 minutes until no steam remains.
– Once cooled, pat fries very dry with paper towels or clean dish towels.
– Blanching tip: Underblanching will lead to poor texture, overblanching causes excess softness. 2-3 minutes is ideal for most fry sizes.
How To Freeze Sweet Potato Fries
Follow these steps for perfectly frozen sweet potato fries:
– Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Spread prepped, blanched, and cooled sweet potato fries in a single layer.
– Place in freezer for 1-2 hours until completely frozen. Do not overcrowd sheets.
– Transfer frozen fries to zipper freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
– Use fries within 8-12 months for best quality and texture.
– Freeze in single serving portions for easy use.
– Label bags with contents and freeze date. Place in coldest section of freezer (0°F or below).
Tips For Freezing Sweet Potato Fries
Keep these tips in mind for the best frozen sweet potato fries:
– Use fresh, firm, in-season sweet potatoes. Old or soft potatoes will freeze poorly.
– Cut fries uniformly to ensure even cooking when frozen.
– Blanching before freezing locks in color, flavor, and keeps fries from oxidizing. It’s a must!
– Chill fries completely before freezing. Freezing warm fries leads to texture issues.
– Avoid overcrowding on baking sheets when freezing. Space out fries for fastest freezing.
– Use moisture-proof packaging like zipper bags or plastic containers. Foil or paper allows freezer burn.
– Press out all excess air before sealing frozen fry packages. Air causes freezer burn.
– Store frozen fries below 0°F if possible. Colder freezer temperatures maintain quality longer.
How To Cook Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
Cooking frozen sweet potato fries is simple:
– Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
– Remove desired portion of frozen fries from freezer packaging. Keep remaining fries frozen.
– Spread fries in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding.
– Sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper, oil or desired seasonings.
– Bake 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and browned on the outside.
– Serve immediately and enjoy!
– For crispiest results, fry frozen sweet potato fries in 375°F oil for 4-5 minutes until heated through and browned.
– Do not thaw frozen fries before cooking. Cook from frozen state.
Freezing Chopped or Diced Sweet Potatoes
Besides fries, you can also freeze diced or chopped sweet potatoes:
– Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes or dice to desired size.
– Blanch diced sweet potatoes for 1 minute, just until slightly tender-crisp.
– Cool diced sweet potatoes completely then drain well and pat very dry.
– Portion diced potato pieces evenly into airtight freezer bags or containers.
– Remove air, seal, label and freeze for up to 10-12 months.
– To use, boil frozen diced sweet potatoes in soups, stews or sauté from frozen state.
Storing and Using Frozen Sweet Potatoes
Follow proper freezer storage and usage:
– Place labeled, sealed frozen sweet potato fries or cubes in coldest freezer zone (0°F or below).
– Avoid opening freezer repeatedly or exposing foods to warm kitchen air.
– Cook frozen sweet potatoes without thawing first for best texture and flavor.
– Do not refreeze previously frozen sweet potatoes. Only freeze once.
– Inspect packaging for ice crystals, freezer burn or color changes before using. Discard if any noted.
– Once thawed, do not refreeze sweet potatoes. Use within 3-5 days.
– For optimal quality and taste, use frozen sweet potatoes within 8-12 months.
Why Might Frozen Sweet Potato Fries Go Bad?
Frozen sweet potato fries can go bad if:
– Stored at temperatures above 0°F. Fluctuating freezer temps cause degradation.
– Packaged with excess air inside. Oxygen causes freezer burn.
– Kept frozen longer than 8-12 months. Quality declines over time.
– Frozen in a frost-free freezer. Temperature varies in these.
– Thawed and refrozen. Refreezing creates ice crystals and texture issues.
– Exposed to air repeatedly during use. Always reseal promptly.
– Contamination from unsanitized equipment or handling.
– Pre-frozen at warm temperatures. Must be chilled before freezing.
– Poor quality sweet potatoes used. Only freeze fresh, firm potatoes.
Keeping Frozen Sweet Potato Fries At Their Best
Here are tips for keeping frozen sweet potato fries in top quality:
– Start with fresh, ripe, in-season sweet potatoes. Old or aged potatoes freeze poorly.
– Cut and blanch fries properly before freezing for best texture.
– Chill fries completely before packaging for freezing.
– Use high-quality, durable freezer bags or airtight containers.
– Remove as much air as possible and seal bags securely.
– Label everything clearly with contents and freeze date.
– Monitor freezer temperature to keep at 0°F or lower consistently.
– Avoid opening freezer repeatedly. Open and shut doors quickly when needed.
– Store frozen fries toward back of freezer, not door shelves.
– Keep freezer clean and organized to reduce door openings.
– Use oldest frozen items first following First-In-First-Out system.
– Consume frozen fries within 8-12 months for premium quality and taste.
Troubleshooting Freezer Burn on Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
Freezer burn appears as dry, brownish spots on frozen foods. Try these troubleshooting tips if your frozen sweet potato fries get freezer burnt:
– Examine packaging for air leaks or holes that could cause ice crystal formation.
– Ensure bags or containers are properly sealed after each use to prevent air exposure.
– Use higher quality, durable freezer bags designed to prevent freezer burn.
– Wrap foods in plastic wrap as a second barrier before placing in bags, if needed.
– Avoid overstuffing bags. Leave 1-inch headspace for expansion during freezing.
– Press out as much air as possible before sealing bags.
– Check if freezer door seals are cracked or not closing properly. Fix seals if needed.
– Organize and label freezer contents to reduce time door is open when searching for items.
– Keep freezer set at 0°F or below consistently. Use a thermometer to monitor.
– Eat frozen items within recommended storage time of 8-12 months.
– Discard severely freezer burnt fries. Slightly burnt areas can be trimmed off to salvage remainder.
Creative Ways To Use Thawed Sweet Potato Fries
Thawed sweet potato fries don’t have to go to waste. Get creative with these ideas:
– Chop into cubes and roast with olive oil, cumin and chili powder for sweet potato chili.
– Puree thawed fries with chicken stock and roasted garlic for sweet potato soup.
– Make loaded sweet potato skins by topping thawed fries with cheese, bacon and green onion.
– Mash thawed fries with maple syrup, coconut milk, cinnamon and nutmeg for sweet potato breakfast bowls.
– Toss thawed fries with black beans, mango salsa, avocado and cilantro for a Mexican-inspired salad.
– Layer thawed fries with marinara, mozzarella and Italian sausage for sweet potato parmesan.
– Make crispy sweet potato fritters by mixing thawed fries into pancake batter and frying spoonfuls.
– Blend thawed fries into a smoothie with banana, peanut butter, milk and cocoa powder.
– Fold thawed fries into waffle or pancake batter with spices for sweet potato baked goods.
Signs Your Frozen Sweet Potato Fries Have Gone Bad
Discard frozen sweet potato fries if you notice these signs of spoilage:
– Unusual odor – Should smell earthy and sweet, not sour or unpleasant.
– Mold growth – May appear fuzzy or discolored. Even if just on small spots.
– Soft, mushy texture – Especially if thawed. Should still feel firm.
– Extreme freezer burn – Large dry patches or ice crystals.
– Condensation inside packaging – Indicates temperature fluctuations.
– Discoloration – Unnatural colors like gray, green or very dark orange.
– Sliminess – From texture breakdown during extended freezing.
– Off flavors – Loss of sweet potato taste. Metallic or bitter flavors.
– Longer than 1 year in freezer – Quality and safety decline over time.
Storing Thawed Sweet Potato Fries
Once thawed, sweet potato fries need to be used quickly:
– Keep thawed fries refrigerated at 40°F or below. Do not leave at room temperature.
– Use thawed fries within 3-5 days for best quality. Discard if older.
– Place in airtight container or resealable bag to prevent drying out.
– Add a damp paper towel inside container to maintain humidity and prevent shriveling.
– Do not refreeze thawed sweet potato fries. Refreezing causes texture and flavor damage.
– For longer storage of thawed fries, blanch or cook them completely, then refrigerate up to one week.
– Refrigerate any uneaten portions promptly after cooking and use within 3-4 days.
Conclusion
With proper preparation, blanching and freezing methods, sweet potato fries can be frozen for 8-12 months and retain their delicious flavor and crispy texture. Investing a little extra effort upfront means you can easily enjoy this tasty and nutritious snack whenever the craving strikes, even when fresh sweet potatoes are out of season. Keep your bags of frozen fries organized in the freezer and incorporate these tips for best quality results. Now go savor those sweet and crispy spud sticks!