Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe

Introduction

Sweet potato gnocchi is a delightful twist on the classic Italian dumpling, offering a tender, flavorful bite with natural sweetness. This simple recipe uses just a few ingredients and yields soft, pillowy gnocchi perfect for pairing with your favorite sauce. Whether baked or microwaved, the sweet potatoes create a comforting base that’s easy to work with for home cooks.

Ingredients

• 2 sweet potatoes (680-700g)
• 180g plain white flour (roughly 1 ½ cups), plus extra for dusting (gluten-free if preferred)
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F). Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork and place them in a baking dish. Bake for 60 minutes, turning after 30 minutes. Alternatively, microwave each potato for 8 minutes.
2. Step 2: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and carefully peel off the skins. Place the flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour to the mashed sweet potatoes and gently knead with your hands until combined.
4. Step 4: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and form it into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough into four pieces. Press each piece into a flatbread shape about ½ inch thick. Cut into small pieces and roll each into the classic gnocchi shapes.
6. Step 6: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add a few gnocchi at a time, giving them space to cook. Boil until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Step 7: Remove the cooked gnocchi with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl lined with kitchen paper to absorb any excess moisture.
8. Step 8: Optionally, fry the gnocchi in a pan with butter or olive oil until crispy. Otherwise, add them directly to your favorite pasta sauce and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour instead of plain white flour.
• If the dough feels too sticky, add extra flour a little at a time to avoid tough gnocchi.
• Try tossing the gnocchi with sage and browned butter for a classic Italian flavor.
• Sweet potato gnocchi pairs beautifully with creamy sauces, tomato-based sauces, or simply a drizzle of olive oil and herbs.
• You can freeze uncooked gnocchi on a baking tray before cooking; freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag and cook from frozen.

Storage

Store cooked gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a little butter or olive oil to restore crispness, or toss with sauce and warm through. Uncooked gnocchi can be frozen on a tray, then stored in a sealed bag for up to 1 month—cook directly from frozen.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

Yes, you can substitute regular potatoes to make traditional gnocchi. The texture and flavor will differ, being less sweet but equally delicious.

How do I know when the gnocchi is cooked?

The gnocchi are done when they float to the surface of the boiling water, usually after 2-3 minutes. At this point, they should be soft and tender.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe

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4.6 from 77 reviews

This Sweet Potato Gnocchi recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional gnocchi by using roasted sweet potatoes for a naturally sweet and tender texture. The homemade gnocchi are easy to prepare, boiled until they float, and can be enjoyed simply tossed in your favorite pasta sauce or pan-fried to crispy perfection with butter or olive oil. It’s a comforting, gluten-free-friendly dish perfect for a cozy meal.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Gnocchi Dough

• 2 Sweet Potatoes (680-700g)
• 180g Plain White Flour (approximately 1 ½ cups), plus more for dusting (use gluten-free if preferred)
• Pinch of Salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F) to prepare the sweet potatoes for roasting.
2. Roast Sweet Potatoes: Prick the sweet potatoes multiple times with a fork and place them in a baking dish. Roast in the oven for 60 minutes, turning them halfway through at 30 minutes. Alternatively, microwave each sweet potato for 8 minutes if pressed for time.
3. Prepare Sweet Potato Flesh: Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly. Carefully peel off the skin and place the flesh into a bowl. Mash the sweet potato thoroughly with a fork, then allow it to cool for about 10 minutes to avoid cooking the flour prematurely.
4. Incorporate Flour: Gradually add 180 grams of plain white flour to the mashed sweet potatoes. Gently knead the mixture with your hands until a smooth dough forms. Add extra flour as needed to prevent stickiness.
5. Shape the Gnocchi: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and form it into a ball. Cut the dough into four equal portions. Press each portion into a flatbread shape about ½ inch thick. Cut into small pieces and roll each piece with your hands to form traditional gnocchi shapes.
6. Boil Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi in batches, giving them space so they do not stick together. Boil each batch until the gnocchi float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Drain and Dry: Using a slotted spoon, remove the gnocchi from the boiling water and place them onto a bowl lined with kitchen paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
8. Serve: You can serve the gnocchi immediately by tossing them in your favorite pasta sauce. Alternatively, pan-fry the gnocchi in butter or olive oil until crispy on the outside for added texture and flavor.

Notes

• Ensure sweet potatoes are fully cooled before mixing with flour to avoid a sticky dough.
• Use gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free friendly.
• Do not overcrowd the boiling water, as gnocchi can stick together and not cook properly.
• Adding a pinch of salt to the gnocchi dough is optional but enhances flavor.
• Pan-frying the gnocchi is optional but adds a delightful crispy texture.

Keywords: Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Gluten-free gnocchi, Homemade gnocchi, Italian comfort food, Roasted sweet potato recipe