Description
These Sweet Potato Balls are a delightful snack made from steamed sweet potatoes mixed with sugar and tapioca starch, then deep-fried to golden perfection. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they offer a pleasantly chewy texture and a natural sweetness from the sweet potatoes – perfect for an indulgent treat or party appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Balls Ingredients
- 175g sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped (prepared weight)
- 35g caster sugar
- 125g tapioca starch
- Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
Instructions
- Steam the sweet potatoes: Place the peeled and chopped sweet potato in a steamer over medium heat. Steam for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potato is completely soft and a knife can easily be inserted.
- Mash and mix dough: Mash the cooked sweet potato with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Add the caster sugar, tapioca starch, and a pinch of seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands. Gradually add 1-2 tablespoons of water and continue mixing until a pliable dough forms.
- Shape the balls: Divide the dough into four equal parts. Roll each part into a long sausage shape about 2cm in diameter. Cut each roll into 2cm pieces and roll each piece between your palms to form balls. If they crumble, keep pressing until they hold their shape.
- Heat oil for frying: Fill a large, heavy-based saucepan halfway with vegetable oil and heat over medium heat. Use a cooking thermometer and heat the oil to 120°C (248°F).
- Initial frying: Carefully lower batches of sweet potato balls into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes until they start to float.
- Expand the balls: Reduce the heat slightly. Use a slotted spoon to turn the balls every minute so they expand evenly. Continue this for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Final frying: Increase the heat back to medium and continue deep-frying the balls until they turn a golden brown color.
- Drain and serve: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried sweet potato balls onto kitchen paper to drain excess oil. Allow to cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- Ensure the sweet potatoes are fully cooked to achieve a smooth dough consistency.
- Adjust the amount of water carefully to avoid the dough becoming too sticky or too dry.
- Maintain the oil temperature closely to ensure even cooking and prevent the balls from breaking up.
- You can serve these balls with a dusting of powdered sugar or a sweet dipping sauce for extra flavor.
- Be cautious when deep-frying to avoid oil splashes and burns.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: sweet potato balls, tapioca starch, deep-fried sweet potato, Asian snack, crispy sweet potato balls
