Description
Learn how to make crispy baked sweet potato fries at home with simple techniques that actually work. This reliable recipe is a staple in my kitchen because it’s versatile, easy to scale up or down, and the tasty fries pair well with just about any meal!
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 2.5–3 lbs. or 1.3kg)
- 1–2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons oil, such as avocado, sunflower, coconut, grapeseed, or olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- optional seasoning: cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder, or paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. With a very sharp knife, cut the potatoes into thin sticks about 1/4-inch wide. Pat the fries dry (even if they seem dry!) with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This helps them crisp.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large bowl or zip-top bag and toss with cornstarch. You want a thin coating on all the fries. Pour the potatoes into a strainer to get rid of any extra cornstarch. Discard the extra cornstarch from the mixing bowl, too. Place potatoes back into the bowl and toss with the oil, salt, and then the seasoning(s) of choice. (See Note below about seasonings.)
- Arrange the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheets, leaving space between them (don’t crowd).
- Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, flip the fries, then return the baking sheets to the oven, rotating the pans and swapping the rack locations. Bake for 10–15 minutes more.
- Serve immediately with ketchup or spicy mayo, or, for extra crispiness, turn the oven off and let the fries sit inside as it cools for about 20–30 minutes.
Notes
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Baking Sheets | Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats | Potato Peeler | Glass Mixing Bowl
- Seasonings: After tossing the fries with oil, you can season them to your taste. Try 1/2–1 teaspoon garlic powder and/or paprika (smoked or regular), 1/4–1/2 teaspoon chili powder, and/or 1/8–1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat. You can use just one or mix a couple together. Start light and add more after baking, if desired.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Sweet Potato Fries: For a sweeter version, skip the savory seasonings and toss the fries with 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon after adding the oil. Bake as directed, then taste and add a little more cinnamon-sugar after baking, if desired. You can omit the salt or keep a small pinch for contrast. These are fun to serve with vanilla icing for dipping.
- Air Fryer Instructions: Prepare the fries as directed above by cutting evenly and patting them very dry. Toss with cornstarch, then add the oil and seasonings. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), if needed. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket, avoiding overcrowding and working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp on the edges. The oven method is best for larger batches, while the air fryer is faster and yields slightly crispier edges in smaller batches.