Sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious food that can be enjoyed hot or cold. However, when leftover sweet potatoes have cooled down completely, the texture and flavor can change. Reheating cold sweet potatoes properly is important to restore them to their original taste and texture.
Can you reheat sweet potatoes?
Yes, you can absolutely reheat previously cooked sweet potatoes that have cooled to room temperature or been refrigerated. The key is using the right reheating method for the form the sweet potato is in. The reheating method you use will depend on whether you have whole baked sweet potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes or diced sweet potato pieces.
What happens when you reheat sweet potatoes?
When cooked sweet potatoes are refrigerated, the starches begin to retrograde. This means the starch molecules start joining back together and squeezing out moisture. As a result, the texture of the sweet potato changes and becomes firmer. The flavor also dulls. Properly reheating sweet potatoes reverses this retrograding process. The starch molecules separate again, absorbing moisture. This restores the sweet potatoes’ original soft, smooth texture and sweet taste.
How to reheat a whole baked sweet potato
For individual whole baked sweet potatoes that have cooled, the oven is the best reheating method. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the whole sweet potato directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Heat for 15-20 minutes until hot throughout. The skin will become crispy again and the interior will be soft and heated through.
How to reheat mashed sweet potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes can be reheated in the oven or microwave:
Oven:
Transfer mashed sweet potatoes to an oven-safe dish. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through, stirring halfway.
Microwave:
Place mashed sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until hot; about 2-3 minutes total. Stir in a splash of milk or cream after reheating to thin and smooth it out.
How to reheat sliced or diced sweet potatoes
For cooked sweet potato slices, cubes or diced pieces, the stovetop or microwave work best:
Stovetop:
Place sweet potato pieces in a skillet with a little bit of butter or oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Microwave:
Spread sweet potato pieces out on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until hot, about 2-3 minutes total.
Tips for reheating sweet potatoes
- Add a little liquid: A splash of milk, cream, broth or water can help add moisture back when reheating mashed or diced sweet potatoes.
- Use a steamer basket: Place cooked sweet potato chunks or slices in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water to reheat.
- Reheat them safely: Always reheat sweet potatoes to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Avoid refrigerating too long: Try to reheat sweet potatoes within 3-5 days of initial cooking for best flavor and texture.
- Season again before serving: Add fresh herbs, spices, butter or sauce after reheating to boost flavor.
How to store and reheat sweet potatoes
To get the most out of your cooked sweet potatoes, follow these storage and reheating guidelines:
Form | Storage | Reheating Method |
---|---|---|
Whole baked | At room temperature up to 2 days. In refrigerator 3-5 days. | Oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. |
Mashed | In airtight container in refrigerator 3-4 days. | Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between, or bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. |
Diced pieces | In airtight container in refrigerator 3-5 days. | Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between, or sauté in skillet over medium heat 5 minutes. |
What to do with leftover sweet potato pieces
Besides simply reheating them, leftover baked, mashed or diced sweet potatoes can also be used in many delicious ways. Here are some ideas:
- Sweet potato hash – Dice and cook with onions, peppers, seasonings.
- Sweet potato pancakes – Grate raw sweet potato and mix into pancake batter.
- Sweet potato soup – Puree with broth and cream.
- Sweet potato fries – Toss wedges in oil and bake until crispy.
- Sweet potato burritos – Roll up with rice, beans, salsa, cheese.
- Sweet potato salad – Toss cubed sweet potatoes into greens with vinaigrette.
- Sweet potato casserole – Mix with cream, butter, brown sugar and top with streusel.
Conclusion
With the proper reheating method, you can easily revive leftover sweet potatoes and restore their texture and flavor. The right technique depends on whether you are reheating whole baked sweet potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes or cut sweet potato pieces. With a little strategic reheating, you can enjoy delicious sweet potatoes again and minimize food waste.