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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers, Sides, Dips

    Sweet Potato Fritters (Vegan, Gluten Free)

    April 22, 2021 By Monika Last Updated August 12, 2021 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    These spiced sweet potato fritters are soft and moist on the inside and crispy on the outside.  They do not contain any eggs or dairy, are ready in under 15 minutes and make a delicious snack or side dish.

    You might also like sweet potato burgers!

    Side view of sweet potato cakes on top of plate with yogurt dip in the middle.

    Making sweet potato fritters is a delicious and easy way to enjoy this vegetable. They are made using raw sweet potato, a spice blend for added flavour and binding ingredients to make sure they hold their shape.  Because the sweet potato  is finely grated it cooks very quickly so this recipe is ready in minutes!

    Ingredients for making sweet potato fritters

    • Sweet potato: Weigh after peeling.
    • Onion: Adds flavour and moisture.
    • Seasoning: The recommended amount of cajun seasoning produces moderately spiced fritters. Add more seasoning or cayenne pepper for extra heat if desired.
    • Cornstarch/UK cornflour: Absorbs excess moisture and gives the fritters a light crispy finish.
    • Flaxseed: Binds the mixture.
    • Fine sea salt.
    Sweet potato fritters ingredients in individual dishes.
    Ingredients for making sweet potato fritters.

    How to prepare the sweet potato

    For this recipe the sweet potato needs to be peeled then finely grated.  If you grate it coarsely the mixture will not bind as well and your fritters will be a little disjointed (as there is very little flour and no eggs in this recipe).  Finely grating the sweet potato and combining it with a small amount of binding ingredients creates a sticky batter and produces a soft, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

    Top tip

    Do NOT squeeze the moisture from the sweet potato.

    Can I prepare the batter ahead

    I do not recommend it.  The sweet potato is likely to start releasing moisture and the batter will be trickier to work with (I also do not recommend preparing the sweet potato itself in advance for the same reason).  Once you’ve combined all the ingredients it’s best to use the mixture right away.

    Step-by-step recipe instructions

    1.Peel and finely grate the sweet potato.

    Finely grated sweet potato for making fritters in metal bowl.

    2. Combine it with the rest of the ingredients (not the oil) and stir thoroughly using a fork.  Stir until all the ingredients have been thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is sticky.

    Finely grated sweet potato with spices for making fritters in metal bowl.

    3. Form small balls (use approx. 1.5 tbsp of the batter for each fritter) then flatten to form round cakes (approx. ½ inch thick).

    5 uncooked sweet potato cakes on top of white plate.

    4. Using a non-stick pan heat up 1-1.5 tbsp of oil and fry the fritters over a medium-high heat for about 2 minutes on each side or until nicely browned.  Add a little more oil after turning them over.

    Frying sweet potato fritters in large pan.

    5. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

    Top down view of sweet potato fritters on white plate with yogurt dip.

    Can I use cooking spray for frying

    You can, if that’s what you prefer, but your fritters won’t be as crispy.  I also think the oil enhances the flavour of these sweet potato cakes and you don’t need to use very much to get great results. 1.5-2 tablespoons per batch should be sufficient.

    Serving suggestions

    These sweet potato fritters are delicious with a refreshing, yogurt based dip such as ranch, guacamole, simple salad or crispy coleslaw.  They can also be served as a side with chicken or fish.

    Other flavours you can use

    These sweet potato fritters are extremely versatile and work with a variety of flavour combinations.  If you want to use flavours other than cajun try the following:

    • Chipotle spice blend
    • BBQ seasoning
    • Harissa spice blend
    • Curry powder (or use equal amounts of cumin, coriander and turmeric powders)
    • Jerk seasoning
    Side view of sweet potato fritters with herbs and yogurt dip.

    Top tips

    • Weigh the sweet potato after you’ve peeled it.
    • The batter will be moist but do not add any more flour or flaxseed or your fritters might turn out a little dry.
    • Make sure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together (I find it helpful to stir and smash the mixture with a fork).
    • My cajun seasoning blend contained salt but I found the fritters still needed a little extra salt. You may, however, prefer to omit the salt and just use your seasoning blend.
    • I recommend using a non-stick pan for frying these sweet potato fritters. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding it.
    • Make sure your fritters aren’t pale. They are tastier if you let them caramelise and crisp up on both sides, but be careful not to burn them. Fry over a fairly high heat.
    • Best served immediately.
    • Not suitable for freezing.

    Related recipes

    • Crispy Polish Potato Pancakes (Placki Ziemniaczane)
    • Sweet Potato Salmon Fish Cakes with Herbs
    • Cauliflower Cheese Patties
    • Healthy Broccoli Cheese Patties
    • Potato Zucchini Fritters (No Flour)

    Keep in touch!

    If you make these sweet potato fritters I'd love to know how they turned out for you. Did you use a different spice blend? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for regular recipe updates! Or you could subscribe to this blog and receive all my latest recipes right in your mailbox!

    Side view of sweet potato fritters on top of plate with yogurt dip in yellow dish.

    Sweet Potato Fritters (Vegan, Gluten Free)

    These spiced sweet potato fritters are soft and moist on the inside and crispy on the outside.  They do not contain any eggs or dairy, are ready in under 15 minutes and make a delicious snack or side dish.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side, Snack
    Cuisine: gluten free, vegan
    Prep Time: 7 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 12 minutes
    Servings: 9 fritters
    Calories: 66kcal
    Author: Monika Dabrowski

    Equipment

    • Large non-stick pan

    Ingredients

    • 10.58 ounces (300 g) sweet potato peeled weight
    • 3 teaspoons onion finely grated
    • 2¼ teaspoons cajun seasoning blend
    • 5 teaspoons cornstarch/UK cornflour
    • 3 teaspoons ground flaxseed
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil for frying

    Instructions

    • Peel and finely grate the sweet potato.
      Combine it with the rest of the ingredients (not the oil) and stir using a fork.  Stir until all the ingredients have been thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is sticky.
    • Form small balls (use approx. 1.5 tbsp of the batter for each fritter) then flatten to form round cakes (approx. ½ inch thick).
    • Using a non-stick pan heat up 1-1.5 tbsp of oil and fry the fritters over a medium-high heat for about 2 minutes on each side or until nicely browned.  Add a little more oil after turning them over.
    • Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Weigh the sweet potato after you’ve peeled it.
    • The batter will be moist but do not add any more flour or flaxseed or your fritters might turn out a little dry.
    • Make sure all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together (I find it helpful to stir and smash the mixture with a fork).
    • My cajun seasoning blend contained salt but I found the fritters still needed a little extra salt. You may, however, prefer to omit the salt and just use your seasoning blend.
    • I recommend using a non-stick pan for frying these sweet potato fritters. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding it.
    • Make sure your fritters aren’t pale. They are tastier if you let them caramelise and crisp up on both sides, but be careful not to burn them. Fry over a fairly high heat.
    • Best served immediately. Delicious with refreshing yogurt based dips, guacamole, coleslaw, alongside chicken or fish dishes.
    • Not suitable for freezing.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4975IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

    *Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.

    **A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Monika8021 or tag #EverydayHealthyRecipes!
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    1. Alisa Osburn

      May 01, 2021 at 5:28 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely love this recipe...healthy and tasty

      Reply
      • Monika

        May 02, 2021 at 4:34 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply

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