In brief
- Sweet potato fritters: small risen fritters, sweet and fragrant, flavored with sweet potato purée
- Origin: sweet potato native to South America, a dish shared between West Africa and the Caribbean
- Key ingredients: sweet potato, flour, baker's yeast, sugar, vanilla
- Eaten as a sweet snack or at teatime, still warm
Origins and cultural history of sweet potato fritters
Sweet potato is native to Central and South America. Grown today in West and Central Africa as well as in the Caribbean, it there gives rise to sweet fritters prepared using similar recipes, based on sweet potato purée mixed into a risen wheat-flour batter.
These fritters are found in similar forms from one country to another, sometimes flavored with citrus zest, vanilla or nutmeg depending on the household.
What are the key ingredients of sweet potato fritters
Making sweet potato fritters rests on a sweet potato purée mixed into a sweet, risen batter.
- sweet potato
- wheat flour
- baker's yeast
- sugar
- eggs
- vanilla
What to know about beignets de patate douce
Beignets de patate douce are small leavened fritters, soft and sweet, made from a purée of sweet potato worked into a wheat flour dough with baker's yeast, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Similar versions are found in West Africa and the Antilles, sometimes flavored with citrus zest or nutmeg depending on the household. They are eaten still lukewarm, as a sweet snack or an afternoon treat.
Frequently asked questions about sweet potato fritters
How long do sweet potato fritters keep?
They are best enjoyed the same day, warm or at room temperature. Kept in an airtight container, they stay soft for 24 to 48 hours, but lose their crispness.
Can the batter be made ahead of time?
Yes: once risen, the batter can wait a few hours in the refrigerator. Simply take it out a little before frying so it returns to room temperature.
Where to find the ingredients for sweet potato fritters in France?
NKOSI offers the white-fleshed sweet potato, cane sugar and vanilla needed for this recipe and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
