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Fried Sweet Potato

Also known as Fried Sweet Potato (Nigerian Dessert Fritters)

Sweet Potato Fritters are a traditional Nigerian dessert preparation that takes the naturally sweet, orange-fleshed sweet potato and transforms it into golden, slightly crispy, caramelised fritters through simple deep-frying with a sweet spiced coating. The Nigerian sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) has a higher sugar content than the varieties found in Western supermarkets, making it naturally more dessert-appropriate and creating spectacular caramelisation during frying.

Fried Sweet Potato, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 3 big sweet potatoes, peeled
  • 3 big big tablespoons of sugar
  • Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • A pinch of ground nutmeg
  • A pinch of salt
  • Vegetable oil for deep-frying
  • Honey or sugar syrup for drizzling — optional

Method

  1. 01

    Preparing the Sweet Potato. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into thick slices about 2 fingers wide, or cut into chunky batons. Mix together the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. Toss the sweet potato pieces in this spiced sugar mixture to coat lightly.

  2. 02

    Frying. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat — not too high, as the high sugar content of both the sweet potato and the coating can cause rapid browning. Fry the coated sweet potato pieces in batches for 4 to 5 minutes, turning, until golden-brown, caramelised and cooked through.

  3. 03

    Finishing. Drain on paper towels. Drizzle with honey or sugar syrup while still hot if desired. Serve immediately.

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