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savory sweet potato balls on white platter

Savory Sweet Potato Balls

A ball-shaped appetizer with a savory sweet potato filling rolled in panko, parmesan cheese, sea salt, and black pepper coating that crisps perfectly in the oven. The black pepper gives this savory appetizer just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 2 dozen balls
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sweet Potato Filling
  • 2 C sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed I use my Instant Pot
  • 1/3 C minced onion
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp rosemary leaves, slightly crushed
  • 1/2 C sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
Panko Crumb Coating
  • 1 C gluten free panko crumbs
  • 1 1/2-2 TBSP olive oil I like to use a Robust Flavor
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 C parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot with trivet
  • 1 baking sheet
  • large and small bowls
  • measuring cups, spoons,
  • spatula, small cookie scoop
  • parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Gather your instant pot and trivet.
  2. Peel 2-3 sweet potatoes and thinly slice them. Place on top of trivet in Instant Pot. Pour 1 Cup of water on top. Seal lid and make sure the vent is sealed. Cook on Manual for 3 minutes. Then let it naturally depressure for 2-3 minutes. Then quick release. CAREFULLY drain out the remaining water as it is very hot!
  3. Place sweet potatoes in a large bowl and mash well. Measure out 2 cups and place into another bowl.
  4. Quickly sauté your onions for about 7 minutes in a little bit of olive oil(you want your onions to be soft). Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for 20 seconds. Add this to the 2 cups of sweet potatoes.
  5. Add salt, pepper, rosemary leaves, and sharp white cheddar cheese. Mix all ingredients well. Set aside.
  6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a baking sheet place parchment paper.
  7. In a bowl, mix the panko crumbs with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
  8. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop little balls of the sweet potato mixture(just a few at a time) and drop into the bowl with the panko crumbs. Coat each ball well and place on prepared baking sheet.
    savory sweet potato balls on baking sheet with parmchment paper
  9. When you have all your balls done, baking in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  10. These are best served warm. If you have a warming feature on your oven, you would want to keep them in there until you are ready to serve.
    savory sweet potato balls on white platter with teal cloth underneath

Notes

The prep-time on here includes the Instant Pot time.  If you are not using an instant pot, please adjust your prep time accordingly.
If you have a large party, I would double this recipe so you have plenty to go around.