How to Freeze Sweet Potatoes – Easy Meal Prep

Learn two methods of freezing sweet potatoes with these simple steps for healthy meal prep and the perfect side dish to go with your favorite meals. 

When most people think of sweet potatoes, they think of canned yams with marshmallows. But real sweet potatoes are not like that! They are a nutrient-dense and healthy option to add to your meals. If you don’t have sweet potatoes on the regular, these two methods will make sure they are on repeat in your meals.

Generally, a sweet potato will be stored for an extremely long time. In Iowa, we harvest sweet potatoes at the end of September and if they are stored in the dark around 55 degrees, they are still good into March, if they don’t get eaten first. Any potatoes that sprout, we break off the sprout or save the slip to plant in the spring. However, sweet potatoes are rather difficult to harvest and often get broken in the ground or damaged during harvest. Often we are left with over 20 percent of our crop being “seconds” or “uglies” that we need to make use of quickly before they spoil. 

That’s where freezing methods come in handy! Not only are we able to use up the potatoes before they go bad, but making ahead and freezing is a super easy meal prep method. The two ways we use most often is either by freezing a sweet potato mash, or roasted sweet potatoes. We love both of these options for freezing because they are a great way to cook once, eat twice. We like to make more than enough of these recipes, eat some for dinner, and stash the rest into the freezer for another meal. By cooking a little extra a few times a week, you will give yourself quite a stash of options for a busy night! Both methods outlined in this post are a simple recipe made with simple ingredients that your whole family will love!

Health benefits of sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes have a very high nutritional value! They are a great source of fiber, antioxidants, and are high in vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin c. They are a healthy, complex carb to have with your meals and are great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Freezing sweet potato mash

Making a sweet potato mash is super easy to do and then makes a really quick and easy side. One of our favorite ways to eat it is to add butter and maple syrup for a side. Make a double batch to have fresh one night and then freeze the rest for later. There are two different cooking methods you can use to make the mash, stove top or instant pot. 

Directions for stovetop

Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. 

Add sweet potato chunks to a steamer basket and steam for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Then use a hand masher or food processor to make it smooth. You can leave them plain or add a little butter, cream, or milk. 

Directions for Instant Pot 

For an even quicker cooking time, you can use your pressure cooker/instant pot to steam them. Use the trivet in the bottom, add one cup of water, and place sweet potato cubes on top of the trivet. For best results make sure they do not fall through the holes because they will turn mushy if under the water. Pressure cook for 4 minutes and perform a quick release. 

How to store

Sweet potato mash is best packed in rigid containers, or you can freeze it in a silicone muffin tin and then a ziploc freezer bag. Freezing them in smaller portions will make it easier for you to pull out however much you need to go with your meal. 

How to serve

To thaw the frozen sweet potatoes you can remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge. Or, for a quick meal, add it to the microwave for 30-second increments until it has thawed and is warmed through. 

Serve with butter for a side with roasted chicken or in your favorite dish like a sweet potato casserole. 

Freezing cubed or fry shaped sweet potatoes 

Sweet potato cubes or fries pair great with other veggies like Brussels sprouts or as an addition to eggs for a very filling breakfast! Having these on hand in the freezer is an easy way to whip up breakfast in less than 5 minutes! Bake a big batch on a large baking sheet to have it ready for meal prep for a busy morning or as an easy side on weeknights. Cutting the sweet potatoes into fry shapes allows you to have healthier french fries at home that are super quick to reheat and make a great side dish for burgers or sandwiches.

Directions to freeze

Baking process: Prepare the fresh sweet potatoes by peeling and cut into 1 inch cubes, or into a fry shape.

Next, toss the chunks in lard, olive oil, or other oil of choice in a large bowl. Add one tablespoon of oil for every 4 cups of sweet potato cubes.

Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a sheet pan.

Roast at 400F degrees for about 45 minutes, until they are golden brown on the bottom.

Freezing process: Remove from the oven and let cool entirely at room temperature before freezing. Add to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. 

How to season

If you prefer pre-seasoned cubes add this blend to your oil mix before baking for a flavorful side dish: 

• 1 t salt
• 1 t granulated onion powder
• 1 t granulated garlic powder
• .5 t smoked paprika 
• .25 t thyme 
• black pepper 

We love to get all of our organic spices in bulk from Azure Standard.

How to serve

When you are ready to use, thaw them in the fridge. Then, reheat in a skillet in a small amount of oil or in a 350 degrees F oven. For a more crispy texture, add to your air fryer basket and air fry at 350 until the edges are crispy. 

We love to use the cubes for eggs in the morning or add them with taco meat, beans, and salsa for a quick burrito bowl-type dinner. The sweet potato fries are always a hit and we love how easy they are to reheat and have a healthier option. 

How to Freeze Sweet Potatoes

Learn two methods of freezing sweet potatoes with these simple steps for healthy meal prep and the perfect side dish to go with your favorite meals. 

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Ingredients

  

• Sweet potatoes

Instructions

 

Sweet potato mash:

Directions for stovetop

• Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
• Add sweet potato chunks to a steamer basket and steam for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Then use a hand masher or food processor to make it smooth. You can leave them plain or add a little butter, cream, or milk.

Directions for Instant Pot

• For an even quicker cooking time, you can use your pressure cooker/instant pot to steam them. Use the trivet in the bottom, add one cup of water, and place sweet potato cubes on top of the trivet. For best results make sure they do not fall through the holes because they will turn mushy if under the water. Pressure cook for 4 minutes and perform a quick release.

How to store

• Sweet potato mash is best packed in rigid containers, or you can freeze it in a silicone muffin tin and then a ziploc freezer bag. Freezing them in smaller portions will make it easier for you to pull out however much you need to go with your meal.

How to serve

• To thaw the frozen sweet potatoes you can remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge. Or, for a quick meal, add it to the microwave for 30-second increments until it has thawed and is warmed through.
• Serve with butter for a side or in your favorite dish like a sweet potato casserole.

How to freeze roasted sweet potatoes

Directions to freeze

• Prepare the fresh sweet potatoes by peeling and cut into 1 inch cubes, or into a fry shape.
• Next, toss the chunks in lard, olive oil, or other oil of choice in a large bowl. Add one tablespoon of oil for every 4 cups of sweet potato cubes.
• Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a sheet pan.
• Roast at 400F degrees for about 45 minutes, until they are golden brown on the bottom.
• Remove from the oven and let cool entirely at room temperature before freezing. Add to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to serve

• When you are ready to use, thaw them in the fridge. Then, reheat in a skillet in a small amount of oil or in a 350 degrees F oven. For a more crispy texture, add to your air fryer basket and air fry at 350 until the edges are crispy.
• We love to use the cubes for eggs in the morning or add them with taco meat, beans, and salsa for a quick burrito bowl-type dinner. The sweet potato fries are always a hit and we love how easy they are to reheat and have a healthier option.