Can You Freeze Raw Sweet Potato?

Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be roasted, mashed, baked, turned into wedges or made into soup.

If you’ve bought too many or harvested a bumper crop from the garden, you might be wondering whether you can freeze them before they spoil.

Unfortunately, raw sweet potatoes don’t freeze well on their own. The good news is that with a little preparation you can freeze them successfully and enjoy them months later.

Looking for more freezing advice? Visit my Freezing Food Hub, where you’ll find guides to freezing hundreds of different foods.

Can You Freeze Raw Sweet Potatoes?

No, raw sweet potatoes shouldn’t be frozen without preparing them first.

Like many vegetables, sweet potatoes contain a lot of water. Freezing them raw damages their cell structure, so once they thaw they become soft, watery and unpleasant in texture.

Blanching before freezing prevents this and helps preserve both the texture and flavour.

Can You Freeze Raw Sweet Potatoes Without Blanching?

No.

Freezing raw sweet potatoes without blanching isn’t recommended if you want good results.

Blanching briefly cooks the outside of the sweet potato and slows down the enzymes that cause vegetables to lose flavour, colour and texture during freezer storage.

If you don’t want to blanch them, it’s much better to cook the sweet potatoes first by roasting, baking, steaming or mashing them before freezing.

Can You Freeze Whole Raw Sweet Potatoes?

No.

Whole raw sweet potatoes don’t freeze well for the same reasons as chopped ones.

If you want to freeze whole sweet potatoes, bake them first, allow them to cool completely, then freeze them.

Can You Freeze Raw Sweet Potato Fries?

Not successfully.

Raw sweet potato fries tend to become soft and soggy after freezing.

For the best results, blanch them first before freezing or cook them completely and freeze them ready to reheat.

Can You Freeze Fresh Sweet Potatoes?

Fresh sweet potatoes are best stored somewhere cool, dark and dry rather than in the freezer.

If you know you won’t use them before they start to spoil, cook or blanch them first before freezing.

What’s The Best Way To Freeze Sweet Potatoes?

In my experience, some methods freeze better than others.

Sweet potato mash, soup and puree all freeze brilliantly because texture changes aren’t noticeable after reheating.

Roasted chunks, wedges and fries also freeze well, although they won’t be quite as crisp after reheating.

If you’re freezing raw sweet potatoes, blanching first gives the best overall results.

How To Blanch Sweet Potatoes For Freezing

Blanching is quick and helps sweet potatoes keep their quality in the freezer.

Peel the sweet potatoes if you wish (this is optional).
Cut into evenly sized chunks, wedges or fries.
Bring a large pan of water to the boil.
Add the sweet potatoes and blanch for 2 minutes.
Drain immediately.
Transfer to a bowl of iced water for another 2 minutes to stop the cooking process.
Drain well and pat dry.

Your sweet potatoes are now ready for freezing.

How To Freeze Sweet Potatoes

Once blanched or fully cooked, make sure the sweet potatoes have cooled completely.

For chunks, wedges or fries

I like to flash freeze them first so they don’t freeze into one giant lump.

Arrange the pieces in a single layer on a baking tray.
Freeze for 1-2 hours until solid.
Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container.
Label and date.

For mash, soup or puree

Spoon into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.
Leave a little room for expansion.
Label and date before freezing.

Freezing in meal-sized portions makes it much easier to only remove what you need and helps prevent even more food waste.

How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Last In The Freezer?

Blanched sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, wedges and fries will keep for up to 6 months.

Sweet potato mash, puree and soup should also be used within around 6 months for the best quality, although always check if another ingredient has a shorter freezing time.

How To Defrost Sweet Potatoes

Many frozen sweet potato products don’t actually need defrosting first.

Blanched chunks can go straight into boiling water or into the oven.

Frozen fries and wedges can also usually be cooked straight from frozen.

If you do need to defrost sweet potato mash, soup or baked sweet potatoes, thaw them overnight in the fridge.

How To Cook Blanched Sweet Potatoes

Blanched sweet potatoes still need cooking before they’re ready to eat.

To roast

Toss with a little oil and your favourite seasoning.

Roast at 220°C (200°C fan) for around 30 minutes, turning halfway through.

To boil

Add straight to boiling water and cook until a knife slides through easily.

This usually takes around 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.

How To Reheat Cooked Sweet Potatoes

The best reheating method depends on how they were originally cooked.

Mash or puree reheats well in the microwave or gently on the hob.
Soup can be reheated on the hob or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
Roasted wedges or baked sweet potatoes are best reheated in the oven or air fryer to help them crisp up again.

Always make sure reheated food is piping hot before serving.

Top Tips For Freezing Sweet Potatoes

Blanch raw sweet potatoes before freezing for the best texture.
Freeze in portions so you only thaw what you need.
Flash freeze chunks and wedges first to stop them sticking together.

If you’re filling your freezer with vegetables, these guides may also help: