These Baked Sweet Potato Fries are an easy sheet pan recipe and a healthier alternative to traditional fries. They make a delicious and nutritious side dish, appetizer, or snack that’s simple to prepare. Serve them as a side to sandwiches, burgers, or wraps, with dips like ketchup, a spicy sauce, or your favorite dip for extra flavor.
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They’re very easy to throw together and bake to crispy perfection, making them a great option when you’re craving something simple yet satisfying. I love pairing these crispy sweet potato fries with a refreshing salad, like coleslaw, sweet corn peach salad, Greek salad, red cabbage salad, or even a simple cucumber tomato salad. They make for a perfect, satisfying meal when enjoyed together, and the homemade fries are also delicious on their own, making for the perfect snack anytime!
These baked sweet potato fries are the perfect addition to breakfast, a quick weekday dinner, Sunday brunch, or even the Thanksgiving table.
These fries are a favorite of mine—crispy and baked with a light coating of olive oil. With just a handful of seasoning, they transform into a truly tasty treat or addition to any meal. Give this easy sheet pan recipe a try and enjoy the tasty homemade baked sweet potato fries!
WHY THIS BAKED SWEET POTATO RECIPE WORKS
- Easy Preparation: These baked sweet potato fries are simple to make and require minimal ingredients.
- Healthy: These fries are baked instead of being deep-fried, which reduces the overall fat content and makes them a healthier choice. Baking also retains the natural goodness of sweet potatoes without compromising on taste. They offer guilt-free enjoyment of fries!
- Texture and Flavor: These fries have a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender and soft interior. The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes is enhanced during baking, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
- Perfect for a side dish: Baked sweet potato fries are a delicious and healthy side dish to enjoy with burgers or sandwiches!
TARRAGON: The Secret Ingredient for Perfect Sweet Potatoes. I like to use tarragon every now and then, as it has a distinct anise or licorice-like flavor. I especially love adding it to this recipe because it pairs wonderfully with sweet potatoes, enhancing their flavor and adding a unique twist. Tarragon also complements poultry, seafood, eggs, most vegetables, and sauces.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
These healthy oven roasted sweet potato fries are made with just a few simple ingredients that you propbably already have hanging around your pantry.
- Sweet Potatoes – I recommend choosing medium-sized potatoes that are similar in size to make it easier to chop into even fries. Both peeled and unpeeled sweet potatoes work for this recipe; it’s completely up to your preference.
- Olive Oil – You can also substitute avocado oil.
- Spice mix – Garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried tarragon, salt.
For the dipping sauce:
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Spice mix – Paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES
- Wash and peel sweet potatoes: use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin. Peeling is optional, as you can also make fries with the skin on if desired.
- Slice the peeled sweet potatoes lengthwise into long, rectangular-shaped pieces, about 1/2 inch thick. To ensure even cooking, try to make the slices as uniform as possible. Place them in a bowl of cold water and allow to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place the fries on a clean kitchen towel and gently blot them dry to remove excess moisture.
- Transfer the fries to a large bowl and toss the sweet potato strips with olive oil, garlic powder, pepper, smoked paprika, dried tarragon, and salt. Stir well to ensure they’re evenly coated.
- Spread the fries among the two prepared baking sheets in a single layer, so that they are not overlapping each other. (I like to bake the fries on two baking sheets so that they don’t crowd other and have a better chance to brown and turn crispy).
HOW TO BAKE SWEET POTATO FRIES
- Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Then, remove the baking sheets from the oven and use tongs or a spatula to gently turn over all of the sweet potato pieces (be cautious as the pan will be hot!). Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until they are lightly browned on the tips.
- Remove from the oven and add a generous sprinkling of sea salt. These are best served right away as they tend to get soft and slightly soggy if they rest for too long. If you’d like, you can also garnish them with a little minced parsley for a pop of green color.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
- Be sure to cut your sweet potato into thin strips to avoid some fries being overcooked while others are undercooked. Thick fries won’t get as crispy as thin ones.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the fries from sticking to the sheet.
- Avoid overcrowding the sheet. If needed, spread the sweet potato strips evenly across two prepared baking sheets in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Flip the fries halfway through baking to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy on all sides. If baking multiple pans, switch their positions by moving the bottom one to the top and vice versa.
HOW TO TELL WHEN THE FRIES ARE DONE
Sweet potato fries should be golden brown on the outside. Keep an eye on them as they bake, and once they reach your desired level of crispness and browning, they’re likely done.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Baked sweet potatoes go well with many flavors and ingredients. You can mix and match these ideas or try your own combinations to create a tasty meal. Here are some options:
- For extra sweetness drizzle a little maple syrup or honey over baked sweet potato fries. You can also sprinkle them with brown sugar or cinnamon sugar for a caramelized crust.
- Add a Greek yogurt, sour cream for a creamy and tangy contrast. For extra texture you can also sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese, crumbled Goat cheese, grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar on top.
- Garnish the sweet potatoes fries with chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or green onions to add freshness and color.
- Baked sweet potatoes can be paired with proteins like grilled chicken, roasted turkey, pulled pork, or even black beans for a more nourishing meal.
HOW TO STORE:
Once baked, sweet potato fries are best served right away, they tend to get soft and slightly soggy if they rest very long. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for an additional 2 days. Then to reheat them, transfer the fries back to the oven or toaster oven to restore their crispiness. Remember that reheating may not give you the same level of crispiness as when they were freshly baked, but they should still be tasty.
VARIATIONS: GET CREATIVE WITH DIFFERENT SPICES
Experimenting with different herbs and spices is a fun way to get creative in the kitchen. This recipe is great with just salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic, but feel free to mix in your favorites. For a warming, savory twist, try spices like cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cumin, chili flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to give your baked sweet potatoes a flavorful kick. You can also enhance the flavor with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or nutmeg.
FAQ
Can you eat sweet potato skins?
If you prefer skin-on fries, then you can opt to keep the skins intact for added texture and nutritional value. Just make sure to wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly before cooking to remove any surface contaminants.
How to pick a good sweet potato?
You want sweet potatoes that are appear fresh, firm and in good condition to ensure the best taste and quality. Look for sweet potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid those with rough patches, signs of damage or spoilage.
How to make fries extra crispy?
Cut the sweet potatoes into similar sized thin strips. Make sure they’re not too big or they won’t get crispy. Place in a bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons cornstarch, so that they are completely coated. Dust off any exess cornstarch, add spices before adding them to the baking sheet.
MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES TO TRY:
- Best Cream Of Asparagus Soup
- Roasted Cauliflower Parmesan Steaks
- Potato Mushroom Soup
- Rosół Polish Chicken Soup
- Baked Asparagus with Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes
I hope you enjoy this Baked Sweet potato Fries recipe as much as I do! If you try it and love it, please come back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe! ❤️
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Happy Baking! -A
The nutritional and calories information shown is an estimated provided by an online nutrition calculator. It does not assert or suggest that readers should or should not count calories, and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s or doctor’s counselling.
This post was originally published on April 27, 2022, and republished on November 8th, 2024.
BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potatoes (medium 4 potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon optional
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- coarse sea salt for topping
- parsley optional
For the dipping sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1½ ablespoons ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and peel sweet potatoes: use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin. (Peeling is optional, as you can also make fries with the skin on if desired).
- Slice the peeled sweet potatoes lengthwise into long, rectangular-shaped pieces, about 1/2 inch thick. To ensure even cooking, try to make the slices as uniform as possible. Place them in a bowl of cold water and allow to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place the fries on a clean kitchen towel and gently blot them dry to remove excess moisture.
- Transfer the fries to a large bowl and toss the sweet potato strips with olive oil, garlic powder, pepper, smoked paprika, dried tarragon, and salt. Stir well to ensure they’re evenly coated.
- Spread the fries among the two prepared baking sheets in a single layer, so that they are not overlapping each other. (I like to bake the fries on two baking sheets so that they don't crowd other and have a better chance to brown and turn crispy.)
- Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Then, remove the baking sheets from the oven and use tongs or a spatula to gently turn over all of the sweet potato pieces (be cautious as the pan will be hot!). Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until they are lightly browned on the tips.
- Remove from the oven and add a generous sprinkling of kosher salt. These are best served right away as they tend to get soft and slightly soggy if they rest for too long. If you'd like, you can also garnish them with a little minced parsley for a pop of green color.
Dipping Sauce:
- While the fries are baking, make the dipping sauce: Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix well to thoroughly combine. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Enjoy!
Notes
-
Baking Time: Keep in mind that baking time may vary depending on how large you cut your sweet potatoes and how accurate your oven is.
How to Store: Once baked, sweet potato fries are best served right away, they tend to get soft and slightly soggy if they rest very long. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for an additional 2 days. Then to reheat them, transfer the fries back to the oven or toaster oven to restore their crispiness. Remember that reheating may not give you the same level of crispiness as when they were freshly baked, but they should still be tasty.