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Learn how to cook sweet potatoes perfectly without water using 2 easy methods. Make soft, naturally sweet shakarkandi in a kadai or pressure cooker.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes Perfectly Without Water – 2 Easy Ways
Sweet potato, also known as shakarkandi, is one of the simplest and most versatile root vegetables you can enjoy during the cooler months. But have you ever boiled sweet potatoes and found them too watery, overly soft or lacking their natural sweetness?
In this post, I’m sharing 2 easy ways to cook sweet potatoes without adding water — using an iron kadai and a pressure cooker.
Both methods are simple, require minimal preparation and give you soft, properly cooked sweet potatoes that can be used for chaat, halwa, kheer,salad and many other recipes.
If you love sweet potatoes, you may also like my Sweet Potato chaat, Salad, and Kheer recipes, a simple and flavourful way to use cooked shakarkandi.
Why Cook Sweet Potatoes Without Water?
Boiling is certainly one of the easiest ways to cook sweet potatoes. However, when sweet potatoes are cooked directly in water, they can sometimes become excessively soft or watery, especially if they are overcooked.
Cooking them without adding water helps retain their flavour, natural sweetness and firmer texture.
It is also a convenient method when you want to cook sweet potatoes for snacks or recipes where you don’t want excess moisture.
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Ingredients Needed
Sweet Potatoes – 4–5 medium
The only ingredient required for this cooking method is fresh sweet potato or shakarkandi.
Choose sweet potatoes that feel firm and heavy for their size. Avoid those with large soft spots, excessive bruising, mould or visible spoilage.
Before cooking, wash them thoroughly under running water because sweet potatoes grow underground and their skin may have soil or dirt attached to it.
You don’t need to peel them before cooking. In fact, keeping the skin on helps hold the sweet potato together while it cooks.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes
Method 1: Cook Sweet Potato in an Iron Kadai
Step 1: Wash the sweet potatoes
Wash the sweet potatoes very well under running water and remove any dirt or soil. Cut away any damaged or spoiled portions.
Step 2: Prepare the kadai
Take a heavy iron kadai and place a heat-safe stand inside it. Arrange the washed sweet potatoes over the stand.
Step 3: Cover and cook
Cover the kadai tightly with a suitable lid or plate.
Make sure the lid fits properly and there is minimal gap, as this helps retain the heat and steam released naturally from the sweet potatoes.
Place the kadai on an induction or stovetop and cook on the lowest heat for approximately 20–25 minutes.
The exact cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your sweet potatoes.
Step 4: Check for doneness
Insert a knife or skewer into the thickest part of a sweet potato. If it goes in easily without resistance, the sweet potato is cooked.
If it still feels firm, cover and cook for a few more minutes.
Step 5: Rest and peel
Switch off the heat and let the sweet potatoes rest inside the covered kadai for about 5 minutes.
Allow them to cool slightly and peel while they are still warm.
Tip: Don’t wait until they become completely cold because the skin can sometimes become more difficult to remove.
Method 2: Cook Sweet Potato in a Pressure Cooker
Step 1: Wash the sweet potatoes
For the second method, wash another batch of sweet potatoes thoroughly.
Step 2: Prepare the pressure cooker
Place a stand inside the pressure cooker and arrange the sweet potatoes on it.
Close the cooker and remove the pressure regulator/whistle.
Step 3: Cover and cook
Cook on the lowest flame for approximately 20–25 minutes.
The cooking time will vary according to the size of the sweet potatoes.
Step 4: Check for doneness
Once cooked, carefully open the cooker and check using a knife or skewer.
If the knife slides in easily, they are ready.
Step 5: Rest and peel
Remove the sweet potatoes and allow them to cool slightly for 5–7 minutes before peeling.
How to Know When Sweet Potato Is Perfectly Cooked?
The easiest test is the knife test.
Insert a knife or skewer into the centre of the thickest sweet potato.
- If it goes in smoothly → it is cooked.
- If you feel resistance → cook for a few more minutes.
- If it is extremely soft and falling apart → it may have been overcooked.
Remember that cooking time varies depending on the size, variety and freshness of the sweet potato.
Boiled vs No-Water Cooked Sweet Potato
Boiling sweet potatoes is fast and convenient, but it can sometimes result in a softer, wetter texture.
When cooked without adding water, sweet potatoes retain their characteristic flavour and can have a pleasant, naturally sweet taste and better texture.
That said, both methods can be useful. Choose the method depending on the recipe and texture you want.
How Can You Use Cooked Sweet Potato?
Once cooked, sweet potato can be used in many delicious recipes. Try it in my Sweet Potato chaat, Salad, and Kheer recipes. Also you can maki tikkis, halwa, rabdi etc.
Serving Suggestions
Cooked sweet potato can be served:
- As a simple evening snack
- In making tikkis or kebabs
- Alongside breakfast
- As part of a festive meal
- Mashed into halwa
- Added to kheer
- As a filling for healthy wraps or sandwiches
For a balanced snack, pair sweet potato with a protein-rich food, such as curd, paneer, roasted chana or another suitable protein source.
Nutritional Value of Sweet Potato
Sweet potato provides carbohydrates, dietary fibre and several micronutrients. It is naturally sweet and can be a nutritious addition to a balanced diet.
The exact nutritional value depends on the size, variety and quantity of sweet potato consumed, as well as the other ingredients used in a recipe.
The nutritional values are estimated using a nutrition calculation software and may vary slightly depending on the ingredients, brands, and cooking methods used.
Approximate nutrition – 100 g cooked sweet potato
| Nutrient | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~80–90 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | ~18–21 g |
| Protein | ~1.5–2 g |
| Fat | ~0.1–0.3 g |
| Fibre | ~2.5–3 g |
These figures are approximate and can vary depending on the variety and cooking method.
Tips for Perfect Sweet Potatoes
- Choose firm, fresh sweet potatoes without large soft or spoiled areas.
- Wash them thoroughly because they are grown underground.
- Keep the skin on while cooking.
- Use low heat for more even cooking.
- Cooking time depends on the size of the sweet potatoes.
- Always use the knife test rather than relying only on cooking time.
- Allow them to cool slightly before peeling.
- Peel while they are still slightly warm for easier peeling.
- Avoid overcooking, as the texture can become excessively soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook sweet potatoes without water?
Yes. Sweet potatoes can be cooked without adding water using methods such as a covered kadai or pressure cooker with a stand or even in otg or using microwave.
How long does sweet potato take to cook without water?
Medium-sized sweet potatoes generally take around 20–25 minutes on low heat, but the exact time depends on their size and variety.
Why is my sweet potato still hard?
The sweet potato may need more cooking time. Cover it again and cook for another 5–7 minutes, then check with a knife.
Should I peel sweet potatoes before cooking?
No. It is generally easier to cook them with the skin on and peel them after cooking.
Why should sweet potatoes be peeled while warm?
When slightly warm, the skin often comes away more easily. Once completely cold, the skin can sometimes stick more firmly to the flesh.
Is boiling sweet potato better than cooking without water?
Both methods have their uses. Boiling is convenient and quick, while cooking without added water can give a less watery texture and help retain the characteristic flavour of the sweet potato.
Can I use cooked sweet potato for chaat?
Absolutely. Cubed cooked sweet potato makes a delicious base for chaat. Add lemon juice, spices, coriander and your preferred toppings.
Can I store cooked sweet potato?
Yes, cooked sweet potato can be cooled and refrigerated in an airtight container. Use it within a few days and refrigerate it promptly after cooling.
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How to Cook Sweet Potatoes Without Water | 2 Easy Ways
Ingredients
- Fresh Firm Sweet Potato as needed
Instructions
Method 1: Cook Sweet Potato in an Iron Kadai
1: Wash the sweet potatoes
- Wash the sweet potatoes very well under running water and remove any dirt or soil. Cut away any damaged or spoiled portions.
2: Prepare the kadai
- Take a heavy iron kadai and place a heat-safe stand inside it. Arrange the washed sweet potatoes over the stand.
3: Cover and cook
- Cover the kadai tightly with a suitable lid or plate.
- Make sure the lid fits properly and there is minimal gap, as this helps retain the heat and steam released naturally from the sweet potatoes.
- Place the kadai on an induction or stovetop and cook on the lowest heat for approximately 20–25 minutes.
- The exact cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your sweet potatoes.
4: Check for doneness
- Insert a knife or skewer into the thickest part of a sweet potato. If it goes in easily without resistance, the sweet potato is cooked.
- If it still feels firm, cover and cook for a few more minutes.
5: Rest and peel
- Switch off the heat and let the sweet potatoes rest inside the covered kadai for about 5 minutes.
- Allow them to cool slightly and peel while they are still warm.
Method 2: Cook Sweet Potato in a Pressure Cooker
1: Wash the sweet potatoes
- For the second method, wash another batch of sweet potatoes thoroughly.
2: Prepare the pressure cooker
- Place a stand inside the pressure cooker and arrange the sweet potatoes on it.
- Close the cooker and remove the pressure regulator/whistle.
3: Cover and cook
- Cook on the lowest flame for approximately 20–25 minutes.
- The cooking time will vary according to the size of the sweet potatoes.
4: Check for doneness
- Once cooked, carefully open the cooker and check using a knife or skewer.
- If the knife slides in easily, they are ready.
5: Rest and peel
- Remove the sweet potatoes and allow them to cool slightly for 5–7 minutes before peeling.
Video
Notes
- Choose firm, fresh sweet potatoes without large soft or spoiled areas.
- Wash them thoroughly because they are grown underground.
- Keep the skin on while cooking.
- Use low heat for more even cooking.
- Cooking time depends on the size of the sweet potatoes.
- Always use the knife test rather than relying only on cooking time.
- Allow them to cool slightly before peeling.
Sweet potatoes are delicious, naturally sweet and incredibly versatile. Instead of always boiling them, try these two simple no-water cooking methods using a kadai or pressure cooker.
Once perfectly cooked, you can use them to make everything from chaat and snacks to halwa and kheer.
If you try either method, let me know in the comments: Which one do you prefer — the kadai method or the pressure cooker method?
