Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried fries. These fries are made from sweet potatoes, which are peeled, cut into stick shapes, and then baked to perfection in the oven. The result is a crispy exterior with a tender and flavorful interior.

We all know that French fries aren’t that good for us. They’re deep-fried in unhealthy oils, have almost no protein, and provide little in the way of nutrition. Unfortunately for our health, they taste so good! Because of this, many people have tried to replace fries with a “healthy” alternative at one point or another. Eggplant fries, zucchini fries… even avocado fries! People nowadays will try to turn any vegetable into a French fry. Now, I’m not going to lie; some of these recipes actually taste pretty good. However, no matter how delicious avocado fries may be, they’re not French fries, and they never will be. In my opinion, the only alternative version of fries that will truly satisfy a craving is sweet potato fries. Here’s the thing about sweet potato fries though: they’re usually not any healthier than plain old French fries.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes have similar nutrient profiles, and both are quite healthy in their natural state! But, when you stick them in the deep fryer, the heat of the oil kills off most of the vitamins, and the unhealthy fats negate any health benefits that may be left in the actual potato. You’re much better off having a baked sweet potato or some roasted potato wedges since baking and roasting don’t involve excessive amounts of oil. That’s why I chose to go the baking route when I set out to make a healthier version of sweet potato fries!

The main challenge I faced when creating this recipe was getting the fries to come out crispy. After a little bit of research on the internet, I found out that soaking the fries beforehand helps in producing a crispier result. I tried this technique, and it worked! However, the sweet potato fries still tasted a little bland, so I tried again, this time seasoning them with a mix of spices. That’s when I knew I had a winner! The fries were crispy and flavorful, yet still healthy. You definitely will not be disappointed with these baked sweet potato fries!

How Long to Bake Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

To bake crispy sweet potato fries, you typically need to bake them in a preheated oven at 450°F (232°C). The total baking time is around 15-20 minutes for the first round, and then an additional 5-10 minutes after flipping them. This process helps achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.

Here’s a breakdown of the baking process:

1. Initial Bake: Bake the sweet potato fries for 15-20 minutes, or until they become tender.
2. Flip: Using a spatula, flip the fries to ensure even cooking.
3. Second Bake: Continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the fries reach the desired level of crispiness.

Keep an eye on them towards the end to avoid overcooking. The residual heat in the turned-off oven during the cooling period helps to enhance the crispiness.

Remember that actual cooking times may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of the sweet potato fries, so it’s a good idea to check them periodically to achieve the perfect level of crispiness.

How to Make Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes peeled and cut into sticks (about 2 large)
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the cut sweet potatoes in a bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Leave a sheet pan in the oven as it preheats to heat it.
3. Drain the water from the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel.
4. Add the sweet potatoes and cornstarch to a large Ziploc bag and shake to combine.
5. Remove the heated sheet pan from the oven. Line with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
6. Spread the fries in a single layer on the pan and coat them with the oil and seasonings.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until tender.
8. Flip the fries using a spatula, and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until crisp.
9. Turn the oven off and leave the fries in the oven for another 5 minutes as they cool.
10. Serve with a dip of your choice! (I mashed an avocado with some salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder, and it went perfectly with the fries)

Tips:

• Perfect Thickness: Cut the sweet potato sticks into uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. This helps in achieving a consistent crispiness across all the fries.
• Crispiness Boost: For an extra crispiness boost, place a cooling rack on the baking sheet before spreading the fries. Elevating them allows the heat to circulate, resulting in crispier fries.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of oil for this recipe?

• Yes, you can substitute canola or vegetable oil with other cooking oils like olive oil or avocado oil based on your preference.

Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes before making fries?

• Peeling the sweet potatoes is recommended for a crispier texture, but if you enjoy the skin, you can leave it on. Just make sure to wash and scrub them thoroughly.

What can I use instead of cornstarch for coating the sweet potatoes?

• If you don’t have cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder or potato starch as alternatives. They help create a crispy exterior.

Can I make these fries ahead of time and reheat them?

• While fresh out of the oven is best for crispiness, you can reheat them in the oven or an air fryer for a few minutes to regain some crispiness.

How can I make the fries spicier?

• To add spice, consider incorporating cayenne pepper or chili powder into the seasoning mix. Adjust the quantity based on your spice preference.

What’s the best dip for these sweet potato fries?

• While the recipe suggests mashed avocado with salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder, you can also enjoy them with ketchup, aioli, or a yogurt-based dip for a variety of flavors.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Recipe by Food by AyakaCourse: SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

1

hour 

Cooking time

35

minutes

Calories

238

kcal

Finally, a healthier version of French fries that tastes good! These baked sweet potato fries are crisp, flavorful, and good for you.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes peeled and cut into sticks (about 2 large)

• 3 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil

• 2 tsp paprika

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Place the cut sweet potatoes in a bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Leave a sheet pan in the oven as it preheats to heat it.
• Drain the water from the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• Add the sweet potatoes and cornstarch to a large Ziploc bag and shake to combine.
• Remove the heated sheet pan from the oven. Line with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
• Spread the fries in a single layer on the pan and coat them with the oil and seasonings.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, until tender.
• Flip the fries using a spatula, and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until crisp.
• Turn the oven off and leave the fries in the oven for another 5 minutes as they cool.
• Serve with a dip of your choice! (I mashed an avocado with some salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder, and it went perfectly with the fries)