How to Make Vietnamese Sweet Potato Fritters

Mix the Batter

Combine the three types of flour (all-purpose flour, rice flour, and crispy frying mix) in the proportions listed in the ingredients section in a large bowl. Mix well, then gradually add a small amount of water to create a thick batter. Be careful to add just enough water to achieve a thick, slightly viscous consistency; it shouldn't be too thick or too runny.

Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

To prevent the sweet potatoes from turning black and to reduce bitterness, follow these steps:

Peel the sweet potatoes, rinse them, and then cut them into thin slices or long, thin sticks. If slicing, make sure the slices are thin; if cutting into sticks, aim for pieces about 1 cm thick.

To prevent the sweet potatoes from darkening and to remove the bitter sap, soak them in a bowl of water with a little salt. The salty water will help keep the potatoes white and sap-free.

After soaking for about 10 minutes, drain the sweet potatoes, rinse them again with water, and then place them in a colander to dry.

Fry the Sweet Potatoes

Once the sweet potatoes are completely dry, dip them into the batter, ensuring that the batter evenly coats all sides. Then, place them on a small sieve to remove any excess batter, leaving just a thin coating on the outside of the sweet potatoes.

Pour oil into a pan; to achieve crispy, evenly golden sweet potatoes, use enough oil so that the potatoes are fully submerged while frying.

Heat the oil, then carefully drop the sweet potato pieces into the hot oil one at a time. Fry until the sweet potatoes are golden. Be sure to maintain a moderate heat level; if the heat is too high, the batter may burn while the inside remains undercooked, resulting in an unpleasant texture.

Once the sweet potatoes are evenly golden, remove them and place them in a bowl lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve the sweet potatoes hot on a small plate.

Crispy sweet potato fritters can be enjoyed with ketchup or chili sauce. The batter on the outside is crunchy, while the inside remains soft and sweet, making it a delightful snack.