Print

Crispy Sweet Potato Bites with Garlic, Gruyère, and Honey Recipe

4.8 from 63 reviews

Crispy Sweet Potato Bites are deliciously golden, cheesy, and herb-infused little morsels perfect for appetizers or snacks. These bites feature tender sweet potatoes baked until soft, mixed with Gruyère cheese and fresh herbs, then coated in a flavorful panko and Parmesan crust before being deep-fried to crispy perfection. Finished with a drizzle of honey, they balance savory and sweet for an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Potato Mixture

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, quartered
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed, peeled
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Coating Mixture

  • 2 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 oz Parmesan, finely grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage (from about 10 leaves)
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Binding & Filling

  • 5 large eggs
  • 8 oz Gruyère, shredded

Frying

  • Neutral oil, for frying (about 6 cups, enough to fill pot to depth of about 2″)

Finishing

  • Honey, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Preheat and bake potatoes: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 475°F. In a 13″ x 9″ baking dish, combine peeled and quartered sweet potatoes, smashed garlic cloves, and cubed unsalted butter. Generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cover the dish with foil. Bake the potatoes until tender and a knife can easily pierce through, about 35 minutes. Keep the oven on for later use.
  2. Puree and chill potatoes: Transfer the baked potato mixture to a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to mash and stir until the mixture is mostly pureed and well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Spread the mixture evenly onto a plate and refrigerate until cold, approximately 30 minutes. Clean the bowl for later use.
  3. Prepare coating mixtures: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, finely grated Parmesan, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh sage, and salt. In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until fully blended. Set both mixtures aside for coating the bites later.
  4. Mix potato filling: Return the chilled potato mixture to the cleaned bowl. Add the shredded Gruyère cheese and mix thoroughly until well combined.
  5. Form balls: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or measuring spoon, scoop portions of the potato mixture and roll each into a ball. Arrange these on a parchment-lined baking sheet to keep them ready for frying.
  6. Heat oil for frying: Pour neutral oil into a large pot to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F, measured by a deep-fry or instant-read thermometer.
  7. Coat the potato balls: Dredge each potato ball first in the panko and Parmesan mixture, then dip them into the whisked eggs, and finish by coating again with the panko mixture. Return the coated balls to the parchment-lined baking sheet to prepare for frying.
  8. Fry the bites: Working in batches of about four at a time, carefully place the coated balls into the hot oil. Fry them, turning occasionally to ensure even browning and to maintain the oil temperature, until the bites are deep golden brown and crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried bites to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil.
  9. Serve: Arrange the crispy sweet potato bites on a serving platter and drizzle generously with honey for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • Ensure the sweet potatoes are baked until very tender for the best texture and ease of mashing.
  • Refrigerating the mixture before forming balls helps them hold their shape during frying.
  • Maintain consistent oil temperature to prevent greasy or undercooked bites.
  • Use a thermometer to accurately monitor oil temperature for best frying results.
  • These bites are best served fresh and warm to keep their crispiness.
  • For a vegetarian option, ensure the Gruyère and Parmesan used are suitable for vegetarian diets (made without animal rennet).
  • Leftovers can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.

Keywords: Sweet Potato Bites, Crispy Appetizer, Fried Sweet Potato, Gruyère, Panko, Parmesan, Garlic, Herb, Party Snack, Honey Drizzle