Sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be enjoyed year round by purchasing them frozen. Many people wonder if it is necessary to thaw frozen sweet potatoes before roasting them or if they can just pop them straight from the freezer into the oven. There are pros and cons to both approaches, so let’s take a closer look at whether thawing is recommended for frozen sweet potatoes.
What happens when you roast frozen sweet potatoes?
Roasting frozen sweet potatoes without thawing first is certainly possible. The frozen sweet potatoes will take longer to cook through since the centers will still be frozen. The exterior will brown and become tender before the insides are fully cooked. This can result in sweet potatoes that are burnt on outside but still cold and hard in the middle, which is not very appetizing.
Roasting frozen sweet potatoes may also cause them to cook unevenly. The thinner parts will cook faster while the thicker parts remain underdone. Even if you cook them long enough to thaw and tenderize the insides, the exteriors may end up overcooked.
Benefits of thawing before roasting
Thawing frozen sweet potatoes prior to roasting offers several advantages:
– More even cooking: Thawed sweet potatoes will roast much more evenly since the flesh will all be at a similar temperature. There is no risk of burnt outsides and frozen centers.
– Better texture: Allowing frozen sweet potatoes to thaw ensures the flesh will become tender all the way through when roasted. The texture will be smooth and creamy instead of crunchy.
– Shorter cooking time: Thawed sweet potatoes won’t need to roast as long to cook through. This reduces the risk of overcooking the exterior before the insides are done.
– More flavor development: Giving the sweet potatoes time to thaw allows the starches to break down properly when roasted which enhances the sweetness.
How long to thaw frozen sweet potatoes
Most experts recommend thawing frozen sweet potatoes in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 12 hours before roasting. Leaving them out at room temperature runs the risk of the exterior thawing faster than the center which again leads to uneven cooking.
Here are some thawing guidelines depending on the size of your frozen sweet potatoes:
| Sweet potato size | Thawing time in fridge |
|---|---|
| Small or cubed (1 inch chunks) | 12 hours |
| Medium (3-4 inches long) | 18-24 hours |
| Large (5-6 inches long) | 24-36 hours |
For quicker thawing, some people place the frozen sweet potatoes in a colander or bowl of cold water which thaws them in about 2 hours without letting the exterior get too warm. Change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold.
Once thawed, pat the sweet potatoes dry before tossing with oil and seasonings to prepare for roasting.
How to roast thawed frozen sweet potatoes
Roasting thawed frozen sweet potatoes is very similar to fresh sweet potatoes. Follow these simple steps:
Ingredients
– Thawed frozen sweet potatoes
– Olive oil or vegetable oil
– Seasonings of choice (salt, pepper, thyme, cinnamon, etc)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Cut thawed sweet potatoes into uniform chunks if desired. Cubes around 1-inch work well to roast evenly.
3. Toss sweet potatoes with 1-2 tbsp oil until evenly coated. Season with salt, pepper, and any other spices.
4. Arrange sweet potatoes in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
5. Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until fork tender and nicely browned.
6. Optional: For caramelized exterior, broil last 2-3 minutes.
7. Serve roasted sweet potatoes warm and enjoy!
Roasting thawed frozen sweet potatoes results in tender, sweet flesh and crispy edges every time. The extra thawing step is worth it for the texture and flavor payoff.
Tips for roasting thawed frozen sweet potatoes
Follow these tips for perfect roasted frozen sweet potatoes:
– Use smaller sweet potatoes around 3-4 inches long. Larger sweet potatoes take longer to thaw and roast.
– Cut into even sized chunks no more than 1-inch thick for uniform cooking.
– Toss in oil and seasonings before roasting for maximum flavor.
– Roast at 400°F on parchment lined pan until fork tender, about 20-25 minutes.
– For caramelization, broil last 2-3 minutes watching closely to avoid burning.
– Check seasonings and add extra salt, herbs, spices, or drizzle of honey if desired before serving.
Can you cook frozen sweet potatoes without thawing?
While it’s possible to roast frozen sweet potatoes without thawing, it is not generally recommended. As we learned above, cooking frozen sweet potatoes often leads to uneven cooking and poor texture.
However, if you’re in a pinch, frozen sweet potatoes can be roasted straight from the freezer. Just keep these tips in mind:
– Use smaller sweet potatoes around 2 inches maximum size. Large frozen sweet potatoes will cook poorly.
– Roast at a lower temperature around 350°F to prevent burning the outsides before insides thaw.
– Increase roasting time to 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check frequently for doneness.
– Expect some uneven cooking with soft exteriors and slightly underdone centers.
– Don’t expect properly caramelized or crispy exteriors when roasting completely frozen sweet potatoes.
While results won’t be quite as good, roasting frozen sweet potatoes without thawing can work in a pinch! For best texture and flavor though, overnight thawing is recommended.
Can you re-freeze thawed sweet potatoes?
If you thawed frozen sweet potatoes in the refrigerator in order to roast them but didn’t end up using them all, you may wonder whether they can be refrozen.
The answer is yes, you can safely re-freeze thawed sweet potatoes if they were kept cold (40°F or below) while thawing in the fridge and haven’t been left at room temperature for over 2 hours.
To re-freeze thawed sweet potatoes:
– Cook or roast the sweet potatoes you will be eating within 2 days.
– Portion the remaining thawed sweet potatoes into airtight freezer bags or containers. Squeeze out excess air.
– Return to freezer immediately and refreeze for up to 3 months.
– When ready to use, thaw again in fridge before roasting or cooking.
With proper storage times and temperatures, previously frozen and thawed sweet potatoes can be refrozen.
Storage recommendations
To get the most out of your sweet potatoes, follow these storage guidelines:
Fresh sweet potatoes
– Store at cool room temperature around 60-70°F for up to 1 week. Avoid refrigerating which can cause browning and textural changes.
Frozen raw sweet potatoes
– Freeze peeled, cut sweet potatoes in airtight bags or containers up to 10-12 months.
– Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking or roasting.
Cooked sweet potatoes
– Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
– Reheat gently in microwave, oven, or pan until warmed through.
Canned sweet potatoes
– Store unopened cans up to 1 year.
– Refrigerate opened canned sweet potatoes up to 4 days.
Conclusion
Properly thawing frozen sweet potatoes before roasting results in evenly cooked, tender sweet potatoes with great flavor. Allowing frozen sweet potatoes to thaw overnight in the fridge prevents overcooking yet doesn’t sacrifice texture or taste. While it is possible to roast frozen sweet potatoes without thawing first, the results are generally inferior. For roasted sweet potatoes you’ll love, take the extra time to thaw frozen sweet potatoes in the refrigerator before roasting. Follow proper storage times and temperatures, and your sweet potatoes will always be delicious.