Steam-Free Sweet Potato Cooking Techniques Explored

Sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient, perfect for everything from pies to soups, but cooking them can be a challenge. One way to cook them is to steam them, but what if you don't have a steamer? There are several ways to steam sweet potatoes without a steamer, and some don't even require a stove.

Boil sweet potatoes with or without the skin on

To boil sweet potatoes with the skin on, first scrub the potatoes clean under running water with a produce brush. Then, fill a pot with water and place it on the stove over high heat. When the water reaches a rolling boil, use a fork to carefully lower the sweet potatoes into the water. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and let the potatoes cook for 10 to 15 minutes. You'll know they're done when a fork can be inserted into the centre of the potato with ease.

If you want to boil the sweet potatoes without the skin, simply peel the sweet potatoes with a conventional potato peeler or a sharp knife before putting them in the pot of boiling water.

If you're looking to make mashed sweet potatoes, boil the sweet potatoes for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until they are very tender. Then, drain the water and transfer the potatoes back into the pot. Mash them using a potato masher or a fork.

Boiling sweet potatoes is a quick way to cook them, which helps to retain their nutritional value. However, it does leach out some nutrients and can make them taste watery.

Bake in the oven

Baking Sweet Potatoes

Baking sweet potatoes is a great way to cook them without a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F. This is a good temperature to ensure your sweet potatoes cook through while also developing a nice caramelized exterior.

Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

Give the sweet potatoes a good wash under running water, scrubbing them gently with a produce brush to remove any dirt. Dry them with a clean towel. Then, use a fork to poke some holes in the sweet potatoes. This will allow steam to escape and prevent them from exploding in the oven. You can also make some deeper cuts across the sweet potatoes to help them cook more evenly and quickly. Finally, lightly brush the sweet potatoes with olive oil. This will prevent the skin from drying out during the long baking time.

Step 3: Bake the Sweet Potatoes

Place the prepared sweet potatoes on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. You can wrap them in aluminum foil or parchment paper before baking, which will allow you to bake them at a higher temperature without scorching. Bake for 40-50 minutes. To check if they are done, stick a fork or knife into the center of the sweet potato - it should slide in easily.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Turn off the oven and let the sweet potatoes rest inside for an additional 10-15 minutes. This helps ensure they are cooked through and gives a better texture. After resting, your sweet potatoes are ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them as a side dish, or use them as a base for loaded baked potatoes, oven fries, or mashed sweet potatoes.

Tips for Baking Sweet Potatoes:

• If you want to speed up the cooking process, you can cut the sweet potatoes into thinner slices or cubes before baking. This reduces the cooking time significantly.
• For a crispier texture, you can cut the sweet potatoes into fries or tots and spread them out on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and your choice of seasonings, then bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• Baking at a lower temperature for a longer time will improve the taste of your sweet potatoes. Food scientists recommend keeping the temperature between 135°F and 170°F, as this converts more starch to sugar, making the potatoes sweeter. However, this method is quite time-consuming, so a temperature between 300°F and 350°F is more practical for everyday cooking.
• If you want to retain as many nutrients as possible, consider baking your sweet potatoes in a microwave. Microwaving cooks the potatoes much faster, reducing nutrient loss. Just be sure to prick the potatoes with a fork before microwaving to allow steam to escape.

Fry or air fry

Frying sweet potatoes is a quick and easy way to cook them without a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Preparation:

First, wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water with a produce scrubbing brush. You can peel the sweet potatoes or leave the skin on, as desired. Then, cut the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces. The exact size is not important, but cutting each potato into three or four slices will ensure even cooking. If you are frying whole sweet potatoes, poke holes in them with a fork or knife to allow steam to escape.

Frying:

Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or another oil of your choice to a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sweet potato pieces to the pan. For whole sweet potatoes, place them in the microwave and cook on high for 4 minutes on each side, or until tender.

Cooking:

Sauté the sweet potato pieces for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the outside is caramelized and the inside is tender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. For whole sweet potatoes, the cooking time will vary depending on their size. As a guide, allow 40-50 minutes in the oven at 400°F.

Serving:

Sweet potatoes can be enjoyed as a side dish or incorporated into a main course. Try serving them with a pat of salted butter and freshly ground black pepper, or a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. For a savoury option, top with grated Parmesan cheese, seasoned black beans, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Air Frying:

Air frying is another option for cooking sweet potatoes without using a steamer. Cut the sweet potatoes into fries or bite-sized pieces, toss with olive oil, and season as desired. Place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer, and cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until crispy and tender.

Grill

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

Wash your sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water, scrubbing them with a produce brush to remove any dirt. You can peel the sweet potatoes if you prefer, but it's not necessary. Then, cut the sweet potatoes into your desired shape and size. You can slice them into rounds, cut them into strips for oven-baked fries, chop them into small cubes, or leave them whole.

Step 2: Season the Sweet Potatoes

Lightly coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper, or your choice of spices. You can also brush the skin with oil to prevent it from drying out during cooking. Additionally, you can make deep cuts across the sweet potatoes to help them cook faster and more evenly.

Step 3: Grill the Sweet Potatoes

Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat setting. Place the seasoned sweet potatoes on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking. If you're using a charcoal grill, you can adjust the heat by spreading the coals out to reduce the temperature.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Insert a fork or knife into the centre of one of the sweet potatoes to check if they are done. If the fork or knife slides in easily, the sweet potatoes are ready. If not, continue grilling for a few more minutes and check again.

Step 5: Serve

Once the sweet potatoes are cooked to your liking, transfer them to a serving plate and enjoy! You can serve them as a side dish or use them as an ingredient in other recipes, such as mashed sweet potatoes, sweet potato fries, or a sweet potato hash.

Tips for Grilling Sweet Potatoes:

• Choose thinner sweet potatoes for more even cooking.
• If you're using a gas grill, make sure to preheat it for at least 10-15 minutes before grilling.
• If you want to add some extra flavour, try marinating the sweet potatoes in a mixture of oil, herbs, and spices before grilling.

Microwave

If you're short on time, the microwave is a great option for cooking sweet potatoes. It's quick, easy, and involves little cleanup. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparing the Sweet Potatoes:

• Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water, using a produce scrubbing brush.
• Dry the sweet potatoes by patting them with a clean cloth or kitchen paper.
• Pierce the skin of the sweet potatoes 5-6 times with a fork. This is an essential step to allow steam to escape and prevent the potatoes from exploding during cooking.

Cooking the Sweet Potatoes:

• Place the sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate.
• Microwave for 5-10 minutes. As a guide, allow 5 minutes for one sweet potato and add 2 minutes for each additional potato.
• Rotate the sweet potatoes halfway through the cooking time.
• Check if the sweet potatoes are cooked by piercing them with a fork or knife. If the fork or knife slides in easily, they are done. If not, continue cooking in 1-minute increments until they are soft.
• Once cooked, let the sweet potatoes rest for a minute or two before serving.

Serving the Sweet Potatoes:

• Sweet potatoes can be served whole or cut in half.
• For a simple topping, add a pat of salted butter and some freshly ground black pepper.
• For an autumnal twist, sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top, or try shredded coconut and toasted pecans.
• If you prefer savoury toppings, try grated Parmesan cheese, seasoned black beans, or a dollop of Greek yoghurt.

Tips and Variations:

• Microwaving sweet potatoes helps retain their nutritional value. Quick cooking at high heat preserves more nutrients than other cooking methods such as boiling.
• If you want to cook cut-up sweet potatoes, cut them into similarly-sized pieces (e.g., 1-inch cubes). Spread them in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and loosely cover with a dry paper towel.
• Microwaving for about 3 minutes should be sufficient, but check for doneness with a fork. If they're still too firm, continue microwaving in 30-second increments.
• Be careful not to overcook the sweet potatoes. You'll know they're overcooked if the outside is dry and the inside is soggy.

Frequently asked questions