Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Perfectly seasoned Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries are the back pocket side dish we all need in our lives. They’re the perfect pairing with burgers and sandwiches, and the hardest part is cutting the potatoes!
There are two kinds of people in this world: those of us who love sweet potato fries so much, we’re willing to pay a $2 upcharge to get them with our burgers at a restaurant, and those who stick with the regular fries. But I’m going to tell you a secret—I think homemade baked sweet potato fries are even better than the ones at restaurants. That means no matter which camp you fall into, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love this recipe.
I find that with restaurant sweet potato fries, the dominant flavors are oil and salt. These crispy baked sweet potato fries have SO much more depth—a blend of savory and spicy seasonings, and a much more pronounced sweetness. Cornstarch makes them crisp without a trip to the deep fryer, and the seasoning blend is easy to adapt to flavors you like.
And no deep frying means less mess to clean up afterwards, and no oil splatters to clean up all over your stovetop. That’s always a win if you ask me!
Ingredients for Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Other than the sweet potatoes, everything you need for this recipe is a pantry staple.
- Sweet Potatoes – You can use any kind of sweet potato you like, but the orange ones tend to be sweeter and moister than other colors.
- Olive Oil – Or another oil you like to use for cooking, like avocado oil.
- Cornstarch – This helps make the sweet potato fries extra-crispy, even in the oven.
- Seasonings – Paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
How to Make Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
This is a quick rundown of the steps involved in making oven-baked sweet potato fries. You’ll find the full instructions in the recipe card below.
- Oil the potatoes. Put the fries in a large bowl and toss with the oil.
- Season. Stir together the cornstarch with the spices and toss with the sweet potato fries.
- Bake. Set the fries on a baking sheet and bake at 450ºF for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Serve. Cool for 5 minutes, then serve.
Skin On Vs. Skin Off for Sweet Potato Fries
It’s your call! The skin on sweet potatoes is edible, but some people find it less palatable than the skin on regular potatoes. It’s a little bit thicker and it doesn’t get quite as crisp; with the skin on, baked sweet potato fries can be a little chewier. That said, leaving the skin on does add an extra layer of texture and flavor, as well as boost the nutritional value by adding some more vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Personally, I think skin off is best. Then the fries have the same texture throughout and the sweetness of the sweet potatoes really takes center stage.
Tips for Perfect Baked Sweet Potato Fries
It’s easy to make baked sweet potato fries, but these tips will help you make sure they turn out perfect!
- Cut them into even pieces. This ensures that all the fries cook at the same rate, resulting in evenly crispy and tender fries once the cooking time is done.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Give each fry enough space to breathe and brown evenly. If you crowd them, they’ll steam and end up mushy.
- Flip halfway through the cooking time. This helps both sides get crispy and ensures that the bottoms don’t burn.
- Store and reheat for maximum crispiness. Leftover sweet potato fries can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated in the oven at 425ºF for about 5 minutes to restore their crispiness.
Seasoning, Dipping, and Topping Ideas
Here are some ideas for switching up and serving this oven-baked sweet potato fry recipe.
- Herbed fries. Add dried thyme or rosemary to the seasoning mix to add an herbal note.
- Spicy fries. Chili powder or ancho chili powder will add a little heat to these crispy baked sweet potato fries.
- Garlic parmesan fries. Toss the cooked sweet potato fries with grated Parmesan cheese and minced garlic before serving.
- Loaded fries. Top your baked sweet potato fries with shredded cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and sour cream and try not to inhale the whole pan yourself.
- Pair with a dipping sauce. Try Easy Avocado Ranch Dressing, Big Mac Sauce, Roasted Garlic Aioli, or Whipped Feta Dip.
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Fries
- Smash Burgers
- Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich
- Coney Island Hot Dogs
- The Best BLT Sandwich
- Caprese Sandwich
- Big Mac Smash Tacos
- The Best Turkey Burger
More Recipes for Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Mascarpone and Brown Butter
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Soup
- Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Marshmallow Meringue Frosting
- Sweet Potato Souffle
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Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into even French fry shapes (slightly larger than ¼-inch batons)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat.
- Stir together the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, 3/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the sweet potatoes and toss to coat.
- Arrange the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer, being sure to leave space between the fries to they don’t steam.
- Bake the sweet potatoes, flipping the fries once halfway through the cooking time, until the edges are browned and crispy, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool 5 minutes before serving.
One Comment on “Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries”
Definitely going to try these. Can I use an air fryer. Would this recipe work with regular potatoes? Thanks.