You can never go wrong with french fries, whether they’re baked potato wedges, bacon wrapped potatoes, or waffle fry nachos. This sweet potato version is sweet, savory and totally irresistible!
When I go out to eat, I always have to order the sweet potato fries. I can’t get enough of that sweet and savory flavor! Homemade sweet potato fries are quite simple to make, and I think they taste even better than what you’d get at a restaurant.
How do you make sweet potato fries?
To make these fries, first wash and peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into sticks. Rinse them twice in cold water. Boil the fries to get them a little tender and then dip them in a batter made of cornstarch, water, salt and pepper. Now they are ready to be fried until golden. Once they are done frying, dry them on paper towels and sprinkle on a little salt and pepper. Serve them hot and crispy!
Tips for sweet potato fries
To cut the sweet potato fries use a fry cutter (if available) or use a sharp knife to cut as evenly as possible. When selecting sweet potatoes, look for ones that have a more uniform width and do not taper to points. This will help you cut more fries that are the same length. Choose red sweet potatoes (labeled as yams in some markets) for the classic sweet potato fry look and taste. When frying, stir the fries to make sure they don’t clump together or stick to the side of the pot.
Baked sweet potato fries
To make baked sweet potato fries, wash and peel the sweet potatoes then cut them into sticks. Coat the fries in a mixture of salt, pepper and cornstarch. Toss the fries in olive oil and they are ready for the oven. Bake them in a single layer on a sheet pan and remember to flip the fries so that every side is crispy. When they are done, serve them hot with a little sprinkled salt and pepper.
Flavor variations
I love the classic sweet and savory flavor of these fries, but you can punch up the flavor with these variations.
Try serving the fries with a little garlic butter on top. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1/2 teaspoon fresh minced garlic, salt, pepper and 2 teaspoons chopped parsley. Sprinkle a store bought Mexican spice blend, or make your own with one teaspoon each of chili powder, paprika, salt and cumin and a half a teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder and oregano. You can season the fries with a Cajun spice blend, or make your own mix with one teaspoon each of garlic powder, paprika and salt and a half a teaspoon each of black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, oregano and thyme. For a Caribbean flavor, pour on some pre-made jerk spice, or prepare your own with 1 teaspoon each of thyme, salt, pepper and sugar with 1/2 teaspoon each of allspice, paprika and cayenne pepper and a 1/8 teaspoon each of cumin, cinnamon and garlic powder.
How to make your fries crispy
The keys to crispy fries are temperature and cornstarch. If frying the sweet potatoes, keep the oil as close to 350 degrees F as possible. The oil will likely cool when you place the fries in the oil. When baking fries, the 400 degree F heat will help dry and crisp the outside of the fries. The cornstarch used in the recipes also crisps up the fries.
Are sweet potato fries bad for you?
Aside from being delicious, sweet potatoes are brimming with vitamin A and manganese. They also have some vitamin C, E and B6. Sweet potato french fries have a few more calories than regular potato fries. The healthiest way to prepare these fries is to bake them. However, frying them can be a wonderful occasional crispy treat!
I love crispy, hot sweet potato fries with a sprinkling of just the right amount of salt. This recipe is a great way to make crispy, savory french fries with that wonderful flavor of sweet potato.
More delicious sweet potato recipes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Roasted Sweet Potatoes Sweet Potato Hash Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Buddha Bowls with Sweet Potatoes
