Baked Sweet Potato Fries offer a delightful mix of sweet, savory, and crispy, making them a healthier alternative to classic French fries. This tasty snack is made from just a few simple ingredients and baked until golden and crisp. You can season them with French fries seasoning, dip them in your favorite sauces, pair them with fried chicken, or add them to any dish you prefer.
What You’ll Find On This Page
We all love classic French fries for their addictive flavor and crunch. Are these sweet potato fries as crispy? Not quite, but if you're looking for a healthier option, baked sweet potato fries are definitely the way to go. These fries aren't just good for you—they're packed with antioxidants, fiber, and beta-carotene. Plus, they've got an irresistible sweetness that makes them just as addictive.
In this post, I'm excited to share my go-to recipe for Baked Sweet Potato Fries. Whether you're looking for a new veggie option or just craving a satisfying snack, these fries are a perfect choice.
Explore More Delicious Fried Snacks:
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
The ingredients you'll need for baked Sweet Potato Fries are simple and likely already in your pantry. Let's take a look at what you'll need:
- Sweet Potatoes: For the best results, go for classic sweet potatoes with orange flesh. At my local grocery stores, I usually find Beauregard and Jewel varieties. Beauregard has purplish-red skins and deep orange flesh, which offers a sweeter flavor. Jewel, on the other hand, has lighter orange skins and orange flesh with a milder sweetness. In this recipe, I've used Beauregard, but feel free to swap it with the Jewel variety if you prefer.
- Paprika: Adding paprika brings a gentle heat and vibrant color, making the fries not only tasty but also visually appealing. Feel free to use smoked paprika or a mild chili powder to suit your taste.
- Garlic and Onion Powder: These spices add a rich, garlicky depth with a touch of sweetness, enhancing the natural flavors of the sweet potatoes.
- Black Pepper: A dash of black pepper adds a sharp, spicy kick that nicely complements the fries' sweetness. You can use either powder or freshly cracked peppercorns for a fresher flavor.
- Cornstarch: A sprinkle of cornstarch is the secret to achieving that irresistibly crispy outer layer that makes these fries a crowd-pleaser.
- Olive Oil: This helps the seasoning stick to the fries and enhances their flavor when roasted. If olive oil isn't your preference, any cooking oil you have on hand will do the job just as well.
How to Bake Sweet Potato Fries in the Oven?
Let’s make some Sweet Potato Fries together! I’ll show you how to cut the sweet potatoes into fries, season them perfectly, and bake them until crispy. I've included step-by-step photos and a helpful video to make the process simple and fun. Ready? Let’s get started!
Discover More Potato Recipes:
- French Fries
- Fish and Chips
- French Fried Onions
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Potatoes
- Roasted Beets
- Baked Potato Wedges
- Baked Potatoes
- Breakfast Potatoes
- Boiled Potatoes
- Potato Salad
- Potato Soup
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 3 medium size Sweet Potato
- ½ tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 2 tsp Cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Preparing Sweet Potatoes for Baking
- Let's get started by preparing our sweet potatoes. Grab a vegetable peeler and peel the sweet potatoes. If you want to keep the skin on for added nutrients and texture, be sure to wash them well to remove any dirt.
- Once peeled, lay the sweet potatoes on their sides and trim off the ends. Then, cut them in half lengthwise and slice each half into ¼"-½" thick slabs. Afterward, cut the slabs into fry-shaped strips. It can be tricky to get all the slices perfectly even, but aim for as much uniformity as possible. Don’t worry if some pieces are uneven—this is natural due to the varied shapes of the potatoes.
- Transfer the cut sweet potatoes to a bowl. Add olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Hold off on adding salt for now. Mix everything together until the sweet potatoes are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the seasoned sweet potatoes and toss them again until they're thoroughly coated. This step is crucial for achieving that crispy texture when they bake.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread out the sweet potato strips. Make sure they're not overcrowded on the tray to allow them to crisp up properly. If needed, use multiple baking trays to ensure even cooking.
Baking Sweet Potato Fries
- Now, bake the sweet potatoes at 425°F for about 35-40 minutes, remembering to flip them halfway through. Taking the time to flip each fry ensures they bake evenly, resulting in perfectly crispy sweet potato fries.
- Once they're golden and crispy, take them out of the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes. This short resting period allows the fries to crisp up even more with the residual heat. After that, season them with salt to taste, and they're ready to enjoy!
Serving
- Serve these Baked Sweet Potato Fries with classic ketchup or any other sauces you prefer. For more pairing ideas, check out our Serving Suggestions section below.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Cut them into even sizes: To make sure they all cook evenly, slice your sweet potatoes into uniform pieces. Sweet potatoes can be a bit odd-shaped, so line up similar-sized pieces on the same baking sheet. Toss any uneven pieces onto another sheet to ensure everything cooks perfectly.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch: Since sweet potatoes are naturally sugary, they can get soggy pretty easily. A light dusting of cornstarch before baking will help them crisp up beautifully at high temperatures.
- Take time to flip: Halfway through baking, give your fries a good flip. This step is key for getting them evenly cooked and crispy all around. If you skip this, you might end up with fries that are crispy on one side and a bit soft on the other.
- Consider a Light Oil Spray: Instead of soaking your fries in oil, try using a spray bottle for a light, even coat. This method helps you avoid using too much oil, which can keep your fries from getting as crispy as they could be.
- Season with salt last: To keep your fries from getting soggy, wait to season them with salt until right before serving. Adding salt too early can pull out moisture during baking, which means less crispiness.
- Soak or not to soak: Unlike regular French fries, sweet potato fries don’t really need to be soaked in water to remove excess starch. Skipping this step saves time and doesn't compromise the fries' quality, so feel free to cut straight to baking.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for more delicious options? Explore our collection of fried chicken dishes, baked dinners, potato and one-pot meals to treat yourself and your family. Find your next favorite dish with us!
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy these Sweet Potato Fries however you like, whether it's with classic ketchup or paired with a variety of main course dishes. Here's what my family loves to add to their plate when these golden fries are on the menu.
- Dips and Sauces: We absolutely love dipping our Sweet Potato Fries in classic mayonnaise, garlic aioli, honey mustard sauce, and BBQ sauce. Each one adds a creamy, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet and savory taste of the fries.
- Season to Your Liking: While I often stick to basic seasonings, you can keep it simple with just salt and black pepper, or spice things up with seasoned salt, French fry seasoning, or Cajun seasoning. Whether it's a pre-made mix or your own homemade blend, adding extra seasoning is a fantastic way to elevate your batch of fries.
- Fried Chicken Dishes: These fries are fantastic with fried chicken, chicken wings, nuggets, or popcorn chicken. If you're watching calories, pair them with our oven-fried chicken or tenders for a lighter touch.
- Burgers: Sweet Potato Fries are the perfect side to any burger, enhancing its savory goodness.
- Salads: For a lighter option, serve them alongside simple green salads such as Caesar, coleslaw, or Greek salad for a refreshing and healthy meal.
- Yogurt Dip: A cooling dip made from Greek yogurt mixed with herbs like dill or mint is another great option.
- Tacos: They also make a great crunchy addition to your favorite chicken, fish, or shrimp tacos.
- Roasted or Baked Meats: Try serving them with roasted or baked meats like chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks for a filling and nutritious meal.
- Sandwiches: Whether it’s a classic sandwich or a wrap, these sweet potato fries make a delightful sweet and savory addition to the meal.
Storage Suggestions
Sweet Potato Fries taste best when they're fresh and crunchy, but you can absolutely save some for later. If you find yourself with leftovers or if you're prepping ahead of time, here are a few of my favorite tips to keep them tasting great:
- In the Fridge: Pop the fries into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to let them cool down to room temperature before you stash them away.
- In the Freezer: Planning to keep them longer? I recommend using freezer-friendly bags to store the fries. They'll stay good for up to 2-3 months this way.
- Reheating: Ready to enjoy them again? If they're frozen, thaw them overnight in the fridge first. Then, heat them up in your air fryer or oven at 375 degrees F until they’re nice and crispy again.
Leave a Review