I’m so excited to share this cozy, flavorful recipe from Cyprus Sweet Potato and Beef Meatballs, or as we say in Turkish, Tatlı Patatesli Kıbrıs Köftesi. These little meatballs are packed with soft sweet potatoes, juicy beef, and yummy herbs. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can bake, fry, or air fry them and they always turn out delicious!
Method
Preparing the Vegetables
Start by peeling and grating the sweet potatoes. You want them very fine so they mix well with the meat. Next, grate the onion or chop it very small using a food processor. Once both are grated, place them into a sieve or strainer and press down with your hands or a spoon. This helps get rid of the extra liquid, which is super important. If you leave in the liquid, your meatballs might fall apart or feel too soft when cooked.
Softening the Breadcrumbs
In a small bowl, crack one of the eggs and whisk it. Add your breadcrumbs into the bowl with the egg and mix them together. Let this sit for a few minutes. The breadcrumbs will soak up the egg and become softer. This step helps hold everything together and gives the köfte a nice, tender bite.
Mixing the Meatball Mixture
Now it’s time to put it all together. In a big mixing bowl, combine the grated sweet potatoes and onion, beef mince, chopped parsley, mint (fresh or dried), cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, salt, the breadcrumb-egg mixture, and the second egg. Mix everything really well using a spoon or clean hands. Don’t be afraid to get in there it needs to be fully combined so that each meatball has flavor in every bite.
Shaping the Köfte
Before shaping, wet your hands with water to keep the mixture from sticking. Scoop out a small amount of the mixture and shape it into a flat, oval shape like a tiny rugby ball. Keep going until you have about 30 köfte, all about the same size. Try to keep the shapes even so they cook the same way.
Cooking the Köfte
You can cook these köfte three different ways: air fryer, frying pan, or oven.
- Air Fryer: Spray the köfte lightly with olive oil. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer (not touching) and cook at 200°C (about 400°F) for 10 minutes. Flip them halfway through to get both sides golden and crispy.
- Frying Pan: Heat sunflower oil or light olive oil to about 190°C (375°F) in a deep pan. The oil should be deep enough to cover most of the köfte. Fry in batches so the pan doesn’t get crowded. Cook until they’re golden brown and cooked through, turning them gently as they fry.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C fan / 210°C. Place the köfte on a greased baking tray, spray with a little olive oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes. Turn them halfway through so both sides get nice and crispy.
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Grater or food processor
- Sieve or strainer
- Spoon or spatula
- Air fryer, oven, or frying pan
- Baking tray (if baking)
- Cooking spray or oil
Sweet Potato and Beef Meatballs (Tatlı Patatesli Kıbrıs Köftesi)
Cuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy30
servings25
minutes25
minutes50
minutesIngredients
500g sweet potatoes, finely grated
1 large onion, grated or chopped very small
2 eggs
100g white breadcrumbs (gluten-free works fine too!)
500g beef mince
50g fresh parsley, chopped
1 heaped tbsp fresh mint or 1 tsp dried mint
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
1 tsp sea salt flakes (or 3/4 tsp fine salt)
Directions
- First, grate the sweet potatoes and onion. Then press them through a sieve to get rid of extra water. This keeps the köfte from getting soggy!
- In a bowl, whisk one egg and mix it with the breadcrumbs. Let it sit so the crumbs soak it up. This makes the texture soft and perfect.
- Add everything to a large bowl sweet potatoes, onion, beef, herbs, spices, the breadcrumb mix, and the second egg. Mix it really well using your hands or a big spoon.
- Wet your hands with water (so the mix doesn’t stick) and shape into small, flat football shapes about 30 of them.
- Choose how to cook:
Air Fryer: Spray with oil and cook at 200°C (about 400°F) for 10 minutes. Flip halfway.
Fry: Heat oil at 190°C (about 375°F). Fry until golden brown on all sides and cooked through.
Oven: Place on a greased tray, spray with oil, and bake at 190°C fan / 210°C for 20–25 mins, turning halfway through.
Notes
- Don’t forget to squeeze out the liquid from the sweet potatoes and onions, or your köfte will be mushy.
- Make sure the meatballs are all about the same size so they cook evenly.
- If frying, don’t overcrowd the pan cook in batches so they get crispy.
- If using breadcrumbs, let them soak in the egg first. It makes a big difference!
Serving Suggestions
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the köfte before serving. It brings out the flavor!
- Serve with rice, pita bread, or a fresh salad.
- Add a yogurt-garlic dip on the side it’s amazing with these meatballs!
Fun Fact
In the past, people in Cyprus would cook dishes like this in underground ovens to keep them secret! That’s why this recipe is sometimes called Hırsız Kebap, which means “stolen kebab.”
Conclusion
These sweet potato and beef köfte are a little taste of Cyprus right in your kitchen. They’re warm, tasty, and full of love. Whether you fry them or pop them in the oven, they always turn out great. Try them with family or friends you won’t be sorry!
