Sweet potato balls are a popular bite-sized snack in Taiwan. They are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Made with tapioca flour, the texture on the inside is bouncy, very similar to that of tapioca pearls in bubble tea.
Sweet potato balls come in many variations throughout Asia. The snack is made using sweet potatoes you can get at your local supermarket. Not to mention, it is a vegan snack too. No wonder foodies are willing to wait in long queues at night markets or at a street food stall just to get this freshly fried snack.
Each variation of sweet potato snack differs slightly by one or two ingredients. In this recipe, we will explore Taiwan's version of sweet potato balls. The QQ consistency makes them stand out and is also probably the reason why they are extremely popular.
The QQ consistency
The Taiwanese version has typical characteristics as in many of their snacks - bouncy and chewy. This consistency is so pronounced in their cuisine that they even coined a term calling it QQ.
Apparently, the term comes from the the local Minnan dialect. The word ‘khiu’ 糗which brings the meaning soft, springy or elastic sounds almost like the alphabet Q. Hence, QQ!
If you are from Malaysia or Singapore, you'll recognize the consistency. It's very similar to glutinous rice cake (kuih bakul).
Since it uses tapioca flour, it has the exact bounciness or texture like the tapioca pearls in bubble tea. Coincidentally, bubble tea is from Taiwan. I suppose if boba is fried, it may taste just like this snack.
Type of sweet potatoes
There are many types of sweet potatoes available. As you have already seen from the photo, it's the common orange type that is used. You can use other types of sweet potatoes and they will work just fine. The colour of the snack will highly depend on the type of the root vegetable used.
Japanese sweet potatoes (satsuma-imo) may look similar to the regular type but they are naturally very much sweeter. So, if you do choose this as your choice of the main ingredient, do reduce the sugar content by 5 grams or more.
Cut sweet potato into thin slices to quicken the steaming process. Droplets of water might fall onto the sweet potatoes during steaming. Remove any excess water with a kitchen towel to prevent additional moisture to the mashed potatoes as it might change the content of liquid in the dough later.
You need to have a few tricks up your sleeves to make the best tasting sweet potato balls.
Firstly, start frying them with oil which had already been heated over low heat. Frying at a high temperature initially may cause them to brown too soon leaving the insides uncooked.
The other tip which every sweet potato balls street vendor in Taiwan practises is the act of pressing the balls while frying. It needs to be done for at least 3 times. This makes the balls expand in size and it's noticeable almost immediately.
What makes them crunchy?
Corn flour! When using only tapioca flour, the balls turn soft after a while. Adding a bit of corn flour makes a big difference to the final outcome. The outer layer of the ball becomes crunchy and gives a nice cracking sound as you sink your teeth into it.
You will fall in love with the sweet potato balls at first bite. We all know for a fact that crunchy food is always tasty. Even science backs the idea!
Comparison of sweet potato balls
The common sweet potato balls do have a mildly crunchy outer layer but they can never beat those with corn flour in them. Besides the crunchiness, there is also a notable difference on the inside. Those with corn flour have a larger hollow space while the version with only tapioca flour is denser.
(Left: With corn flour Right: Without corn flour)
For most Taiwanese restaurants and street food vendors, they do not use the additional flour. If you are one of those who do not enjoy super crunchy food, then omit the corn flour and use only tapioca flour. This is the recipe.
Ingredient
Amount
Sweet potato
100g
Tapioca flour
50g
Sugar
20g
Baking instead of frying
Unfortunately, baking will not work. These sweet potato balls require oil to reach its consistency known by many which is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
How to serve?
They are often enjoyed as they are without any additional sweetener.
If you never tried Taiwanese Deep Fried Sweet Potato Balls before, it is crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. All you need is THREE simple ingredients, Yam, Sweet Potato Flour, and sugar; THAT'S IT! What is this? A Gluten-Free dessert that you need to try!
In Korean, they are called “bam goguma” and “mul goguma.” These two types are the same Japanese sweet potato, but their appearance and texture are slightly different depending on their growing conditions.
The two most common white-fleshed sweet potatoes are Boniato, also called batata, or Cuban sweet potato, and the Japanese sweet potato, also called the satsuma-imo. The big difference between the two is the skin color: Japanese sweet potatoes have a pinkish brown skin and the outer skin of a boniato is light tan.
How to store crispy fried mashed potato balls? You can keep these balls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for 5 days. To reheat, I recommend using an air fryer or the oven at 350F until they are fully warmed up.
If your potatoes are too wet and not enough flour was used, the potato dough will fall apart as it fries. So make sure to try and cut the potatoes into 1 inch slices, drain the potatoes immediately and completely when they are tender, and the measure the flour properly.
You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.
Because they're a little drier and starchier than other varieties, Japanese sweet potatoes have a distinct creaminess and a fluffier, lighter texture, a little more like a regular baking potato than a standard orange sweet potato. They also have a particularly sweet yet, subtle flavor compared to many other varieties.
And although I'm certainly no dietician, Korean online sources all say pretty much the same thing about it being a decent part of one's diet in the first place, being such a common choice for those wanting to lose weight: When comparing potatoes (for example) with sweet potatoes of the same quantity, sweet potatoes are ...
Sweet potato varieties with orange or red skin and deep orange flesh, including Red Garnet (our favorite) and Jewel, cook up sweet and moist. Sweet potato varieties with tan or purple skin, such as Sweet Hannah, Japanese, and Purple, bake up dry and starchy, more like russet potatoes.
If you prioritize antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, Japanese sweet potatoes are a better option as they contain high levels of anthocyanins. They also have a low glycemic index, making them ideal for people managing diabetes or blood sugar levels.
Sweet Potato Guide. There are five main types of sweet potato that are commonly consumed today—Garnet, Hannah, Japanese, Jewel, and Purple Stoke. While all are delicious, each variety has its own distinct flavor and texture that lends itself to a variety of cooking applications.
Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.
They're reddish-brown on the outside and orange on the inside. When compared to regular white potatoes, orange sweet potatoes have a higher fiber content. This gives them a lower GI and makes them a healthier option for people with diabetes.
How to Plant Sweet Potatoes: Create raised mounds 6 to 8 inches tall and about 12 inches wide. Plan 3 feet between mounds and about 12-18 inches apart in a row so that there is enough space for vines to run. Plant the slips on a warm, overcast day, when the soil temperature has reached 65°F.
Bake the Potato Balls® for 20-30 minutes in a conventional oven, 15-25 minutes in a convection oven, or until golden brown. Because all ovens vary, check the Potato Balls® 5 minutes.
Start your slips by placing sections of mature sweet potato in a jar or glass of water with half of the potato below the water and half above. Use toothpicks to hold the sweet potato in place. The slips need warmth, so put them on a window ledge or on top of a radiator.
Despite their sweet taste, these potatoes have an intermediate glycemic index (GI) level, meaning they are digested and absorbed fairly slowly, leading to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels. But, a lot of these benefits, including nutrients and taste, can be lost by boiling sweet potatoes.
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