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Glazed Sweet Potatoes with syrup glaze

Easy Daigaku Imo - Candied Sweet Potatoes

A beloved Japanese snack that features soft, caramelized sweet potato cubes coated in a sweet, sticky glaze.
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Total Time 35 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Asian, Japanese
Servings 4

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 36gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gSugar: 17g

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup mirin sweet rice wine
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Wash the sweet potatoes carefully and cut them into bite-sized pieces or wedges. Don't peel the skin.
  • In a large bowl, combine salt and water, and fully soak the sweet potato pieces for about 30 minutes. This helps to remove excess starch and ensures a crispier texture when baked.
  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Set aside.
  • Drain and pat dry the sweet potato pieces.
  • Toss the sweet potatoes with vegetable oil to coat evenly. This helps sweet potatoes more brown and crisp.
  • Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are golden and crispy, turning them halfway through for even cooking.
  • Once the sweet potatoes are baked, transfer them to a bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the baked sweet potatoes and gently toss to coat evenly.
  • Sprinkle sesame seeds over the glazed sweet potatoes for added flavor and texture.

Notes

  • If you don't have an oven, you can use an air fryer instead or just deep fry sweet potatoes for about 10 minutes, and then transfer them to the wire rack to drain the oil.
  • If you don't have mirin, try these options:
    • Mix 1 tablespoon rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar for every tablespoon of mirin.
    • Use equal parts white wine or sake and add ½ teaspoon sugar per tablespoon.
    • Combine 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon honey or sugar.
Keyword candied sweet potatoes, Daigaku Imo, easy Japanese recipes, Japanese street food
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