Pan fried sweet potatoes are a simple yet irresistible way to enjoy this versatile and nutritious vegetable.
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of sweet potatoes sizzling away in a cast iron skillet, creating a crispy and caramelized crust. Whether you’re looking for a savory side dish or a sweet breakfast treat, this recipe is for you!
Old fashioned fried sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy way to prepare this root vegetable.
Not only are these potatoes a great source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, but they are also incredibly versatile.
There are many delicious sweet potato recipes. They are simple recipes, from sweet potato fries to mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and oven-baked sweet potatoes!
If you are in a rush and need a great side dish for dinner, this sweet potato recipe is the answer!
Forget the oven, as baked sweet potatoes may take a lot of time, but frying sweet potatoes in a pan is a time saver!
The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes it a delicious addition to any meal. Try serving them alongside blackened chicken, dutch oven meatloaf, or juicy pork chops for a meal your whole family will love.
Can You Pan Fry Sweet Potatoes
Yes, you can pan fry sweet potatoes. They are delicious and a great alternative to regular fried white potatoes, with a rich, sweet taste that makes them a favorite among many. They also cook quickly and are easy to prepare.
How Long to Fry Sweet Potato
How long to fry sweet potatoes will depend on the size of the potatoes. Generally, sweet potatoes can be fried in oil for 10-15 minutes.
Kitchen Essentials You May Need
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- Cast Iron Skillet – I love using cast iron as they are incredibly durable and provide excellent heat distribution. For this recipe, I recommend using a large skillet, either the 10-inch skillet or the 12-inch.
Ingredients for Fried Sweet Potatoes in Skillet
The ingredient list for crispy pan fried sweet potatoes is simple and short. You can make this delicious side in under 30 minutes with just a few ingredients.
- Sweet Potatoes – The best sweet potato type for pan frying is the Jewel or Garnet variety. They have deep orange flesh and are slightly sweeter, with a firm texture that holds up well when cooked.
- Seasonings – Some of my favorite seasonings to use in this fried sweet potato recipe are rosemary, thyme, and sage.
- Oil – I strongly recommend using lard or leftover bacon grease for this recipe, resulting in the sweet potatoes frying up with a perfectly crisp exterior. You can use other neutral-flavored oils to prepare sweet potatoes, such as avocado, olive oil, or coconut oil. It is important to use an oil that has a high smoke point.
- Salt and Pepper – add salt and black pepper to taste.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes on the Stove Top
Sweet potatoes are healthy and delicious vegetables that can be cooked in various ways. One of the simplest and quickest ways to cook them is on the stove top.
Here is how to make crispy pan fried sweet potatoes in a cast iron skillet.
Step 1: Peel the Sweet Potatoes
To ensure that your sweet potatoes cook evenly, peel and cut them into small, uniform pieces. This will ensure that each piece cooks through and is perfectly tender when they are finished.
Step 2: Heat the Skillet
Heat a well-seasoned 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add enough bacon grease or lard to coat the bottom of the pan.
Once the oil is hot, add a single layer of sweet potatoes to the pan.
Step 3: Fry the Sweet Potatoes
Allow the sweet potatoes to cook undisturbed for 3-5 minutes. The time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes.
However, it is important to resist the temptation to turn the potatoes too soon.
Step 4: Flip the Sweet Potatoes
To check if your sweet potatoes are ready to be flipped, look for a golden-brown, crispy crust to form on the side facing down.
Once the crust has reached a desired level of crispiness, carefully flip the sweet potatoes to allow the other side to cook until it is golden brown.
Repeat the flipping process until each side of the diced sweet potatoes is golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Add Seasonings
For the best possible texture, wait until the sweet potatoes have finished cooking before adding the spices or herbs.
Salt can draw moisture out of the potatoes, causing them to steam instead of crisp up.
Reserve the seasoning until the potatoes have finished cooking for the ideal crispy finish.
Step 6: Serve
Once you have finished pan frying the sweet potatoes, transfer them to a plate and enjoy!
There is nothing quite like freshly cooked sweet potatoes. Their golden brown exterior and fork tender center make this a favorite side dish!
Tips For Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Sweet Potatoes
A few tips can help you achieve the best results when making cast-iron skillet sweet potatoes.
- Well-Seasoned Skillet – Start with a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. My skillets are used often and are perfectly seasoned and cared for.
- Preheat Skillet and Oil – Before beginning to saute your sweet potato pieces, ensure that the skillet and oil are preheated. This is crucial in achieving the desired crispiness.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet – When cooking sweet potatoes on a skillet, make sure they are arranged in a single layer. This will help each piece cook evenly, resulting in crispy sweet potatoes.
- Adjust the Heat – As you cook the sweet potatoes, you may need to adjust the heat to ensure they don’t burn.
- Don’t Use a Lid – Never use a lid when frying sweet potatoes in a pan. This causes them to become soggy, as it traps the moisture within the potatoes.
- Seasonings – There are numerous ways to season sweet potatoes. Ranging from herbs and spices like brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, and onion powder. Experiment to find your favorite ways to enjoy this dish!
Leftover Sweet Potatoes
How to Store Leftover Sweet Potatoes
To store leftover sweet potatoes, allow them to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
How to Serve Leftover Sweet Potatoes?
Leftover sweet potatoes can be used to make delicious recipes! Sweet potato hash is a tasty way to start your morning, and you can also make breakfast burritos with a fried egg and a dash of hot sauce or a sweet potato skillet for a scrumptious combination.
How Do You Re-Heat Leftover Sweet Potatoes?
Re-heating leftover sweet potatoes is easy and can be done in the oven or on the stovetop.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
- Stovetop: Place sweet potatoes in a skillet with a small amount of oil and cook on medium heat, occasionally stirring, until heated.
Crispy Pan Fried Sweet Potato Recipe
Crispy Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes
If you are looking for the perfect quick and easy side dish that your whole family will love, look no further than these stove-top, cast iron pan-fried sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
- 4-5 Medium Sweet Potatoes, Peeled and Diced
- 4 tablespoons bacon grease, lard or other neutral flavored cooking oil.
- 1/2 tsp Rosemary
- 1/2 tsp Thyme
- 1/2 tsp Sage
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Peel the Sweet Potatoes. To ensure that your sweet potatoes cook evenly, peel them into small, uniform pieces. This will ensure that each piece cooks through and is perfectly tender when they are finished.
Step 2: Heat the Skillet. Heat a well-seasoned 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and add enough bacon grease or lard to coat the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is hot, add a single layer of sweet potatoes to the pan.
Step 3: Fry the Sweet Potatoes. Allow the sweet potatoes to cook undisturbed for a minimum of 3-5 minutes. The time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes. However, it is important to resist the temptation to turn the potatoes too soon.
Step 4: Flip the Sweet Potatoes. To check if your sweet potatoes are ready to be flipped, look for a golden-brown, crispy crust to form on the side facing down.
Once the crust has reached a desired level of crispiness, carefully flip the sweet potatoes to allow the other side to cook until it is golden brown.
Repeat the flipping process until each side of the diced sweet potatoes is golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Add Seasonings. For the best possible texture, wait until the sweet potatoes have finished cooking before adding the spices or herbs.
Salt can draw moisture out of the potatoes, causing them to steam instead of crisp up. For the ideal crispy finish, reserve the seasoning until the potatoes have finished cooking.
Step 6: Serve. Once you have finished pan frying the sweet potatoes, transfer them to a plate and enjoy!
There is nothing quite like freshly cooked sweet potatoes their golden brown exterior and tender center make this the perfect side dish!
Notes
When it comes to making cast iron skillet sweet potatoes, there are a few tips that can help you achieve the best results.
- Well-Seasoned Skillet – Start with a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. My skillets, used often and loved deeply, are perfectly seasoned and cared for.
- Preheat Skillet and Oil – Before beginning to saute your sweet potatoes, ensure that the skillet and oil are preheated. This is crucial in achieving the desired crispiness.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet – When cooking sweet potatoes on a skillet, make sure they are arranged in a single layer. This will help each piece cook evenly with crispy sides.
- Adjust the Heat – As you cook the sweet potatoes, you may need to adjust the heat to ensure they don’t burn.
- Don’t Use a Lid – Never use a lid when frying sweet potatoes. This causes them to become soggy, as it traps the moisture within the potatoes.
I love sweet potatoes cooked on top of stove, and it n cast iron skillet. Yum! This how we always cooked yams. Yours looks amazing. Thanks for sharing, and I will be preparing this exact dish.
Happy Holidays!
I hope you love them!
These are so good! I added cinnamon too and they were perfect. Thanks for sharing!
These were delicious ! I will definitely make these again!
Wonderful! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe.