This easy recipe for crispy, delicious baked Sweet Potato Fries will become your go-to side dish. Perfect for serving with burgers, sandwiches or grill-outs, they're healthier and tastier than regular french fries.
My recipe for perfect sweet potato fries can be made in either the oven or the air fryer, making them accessible to any home cook, regardless of your kitchen equipment.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Sweet Potato Fries are healthy and dippable snacks that is so simple to make. Stick to my easy-to-follow instructions for a low-cost and healthy side.
As an added bonus, there are very few ingredients needed, all of which are easy to keep in the pantry. Stock up on your next grocery run so you can make these crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside baked fries whenever your cravings strike.
Naturally gluten free, and made with just a touch of oil, my healthy sweet potato fries are perfect as a side dish or even as a light lunch. Forget the guilt of eating deep fried chips or fries and make this lightened up recipe instead!
Ingredients
As you can see from the picture below, you need just a handful of ingredients to make these yummy baked sweet potato fries.
Note: Cornflour, also known as cornstarch, gives these sweet potatoes fries their signature crunch without having to deep fry them. If you are allergic to corn or following a Paleo/Whole30 lifestyle, you can opt to substitute potato starch instead.
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries
Whether you opt to make these fries in the oven or the air fryer, the preparation is the same. First, prep your sweet potatoes.
Scrub the sweet potatoes under cool water. Next, I personally like to peel my sweet potatoes, but this step is entirely optional.
Using a sharp knife, cut your sweet potatoes into french fry shape. Cut them into even sized fry-shaped batons ¼ - ½ inch wide.
Add the cut fries into large bowl of cold water and soak for at least 30 minutes at room temperature and up to overnight (in the refrigerator).
TIP: Don't rush this step! This helps to remove some of the excess starch and will help the sweet potato fries to crisp up in the oven or air fryer.
Now, drain the water from the soak potatoes and pat dry them completely.
Transfer the potato fries back into large bowl. Add cornstarch and toss to coat the fries evenly.
Season with paprika, salt, freshly crushed black pepper and pour olive oil. Using your hands toss the fries well to coat them with the seasonings evenly.
Now it's time to cook our fries. Choose either the oven-baked or air fryer method below.
Oven Baked Method
Pre-heat the oven at 425° F. Line them on greased large baking sheet pan in a single layer. DO NOT overcrowd the pan, as this will result in soggy, steamed fries rather than crispy baked fries.
TIP: Want easier clean-up? Line the baking sheet with parchment paper. It not only acts to keep the fries from sticking, but can also be chucked in the bin when you're done cooking.
Bake in the pre heated oven for 15 minutes, then take out the baking sheet carefully and flip the fries.
Pop it back into the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until cooked through, golden and crisp.
Take the fries out of oven and let them rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.
Air Fryer Method
Pre heat the air fryer at 200° C (390°F).
Transfer the tossed fries into the air fryer basket. (Avoid overcrowding the basket and do the air frying in 2-3 batches.)
Cook for 15-20 minutes shaking every few minutes for even cooking and avoid burning.
Serve warm. Enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
This step is optional. I prefer to peel my sweet potatoes for a more polished look, but the peels will taste just fine.
First, and this is the most important bit, be sure to use a very sharp knife. Next, cut the potatoes vertically to get nice, long, french fry shaped batons.
Finally, be sure to cut your sweet potato into equal sized strips. They should be evenly sized ¼ to ½ inch thick, and between 3 - 6 inches long.
Yes! This step is quite important. It helps to remove some of the starch from the sweet potatoes, which, in turn creates a crispier and tastier fry.
All you need to do is add cold water to a bowl that is large enough to accommodate the fries and cover them entirely. Soak them for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight in the refrigerator.
After the allotted time, strain the batons and pat them with a tea towel until dry.
The key step to making these oven baked sweet potato fries crispy is coating them with cornflour (a.k.a. cornstarch). While it might seem counterintuitive since we just soaked the fries to remove starch, just trust me here.
If you are allergic to corn or are living a Paleo/Whole30 lifestyle, swap the cornstarch for potato starch instead.
You bet they are! Just check out the nutritional information at the bottom of the recipe card.
My baked sweet potatoes fries clock in at less than 200 calories per (large) serving and are packed with vitamin A. And since these fries are made in either the oven or air fryer, they aren't laden with the extra calories that a deep fried version would have.
The number one culprit of soggy fries is overcrowding! Never overcrowd the sheet pan or air fryer basket, opting to lay them in a single layer.
If you want extra crispy fries from the oven, you can also use the grid insert for your sheet pan, which will improve air flow under the fries. Just be sure to spray it down with non-stick cooking spray first to avoid sticking.
I have found that the perfect temperature for crisp (but not burnt) fries is 425F.
Any lower than that, and you risk ending up with soggy and soft fries. If you try to crank the heat higher, you'll end up with smoking oil and fries that are burnt on the exterior but not cooked in the center.
Absolutely! This will encourage even cooking and browning, resulting in the best possible baked fries.
Just like the recipe states! While you might need to add a few minutes onto the cook time, you should add just a single layer of frozen fries to the basket.
Make sure you're shaking every few minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
Seasoning Ideas
Sweet Potato Fries are just about endlessly adaptable. Feel free to season them as you wish! Here are a few savory ideas to get you started, though this list is in no way exhaustive:
- Garlic fries: garlic powder.
- International: peri peri, za'tar spice, Italian seasoning, Indian spice mix (like garam masala), curry powder, Chinese 5 spice, taco seasoning.
- Cheese - parmesan works especially well! Just be sure to add near the end of cooking to prevent burning.
- Spicy: chipotle powder, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, hot paprika, ghost pepper flakes.
Want something on the sweet side instead? Try a cinnamon sugar mix in place of the paprika and opt for a sweet dip instead. Maple yogurt, lightly sweetened cream cheese, cinnamon sugar dip or even dessert hummus could all work.
Serving Ideas
One of my favorite things about these baked sweet potatoes fries is how easily adaptable they are. You can serve them alongside traditional cookout foods like sandwiches, burgers or barbecue. They also taste great when served with salads or soups!
They're just as at home as a meal in their own right. If you go this route, maybe try saucing things up a bit.
- Use them as the base for "nachos" and top with taco meat or beans, salsa, guacamole, sliced jalapeños and cheese.
- Give them the chili-cheese treatment by topping them with chili, cheddar, and raw onions .
- Make them "loaded" with cheddar, turkey bacon bits, green onions and sour cream.
I personally love dipping my fries in all kinds of sauces. Sweet potato fries taste great with the following savory dipping sauces:
If you want to eat them as more of a breakfast dish, I say more power to you! Feel free to dip them with vanilla or maple yogurt, pineapple raita or fruit raita, maple syrup, lightly sweetened ricotta or cream cheese, or even dessert style hummus.
As far as I am concerned, there is no wrong way to eat these delicious and healthy Sweet Potatoes Fries, so go ahead and give them a try! You won't be sorry you did.
More Yummy Recipes for you:
If you tried this recipe for oven-baked or air fryer Sweet Potatoes Fries, let me know how they turned out! I love hearing from you in the comments below.
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Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 medium Sweet Potatoes
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes, using sharp knife cut them into even size fry shaped batons each of ¼ inch or ½ inch wide.
- Add the cut fries into large bowl of cold water and let it soak for 30 minutes at least. I usually soak it for 45 minutes. You can also refrigerate overnight.
- Pre-heat the oven at 425° F.
- Now, drain the water from the soak potatoes and pat dry them completely.
- Transfer the potato fries back into large bowl. Add cornstarch and toss to coat the fries evenly.
- Season with paprika, salt, freshly crushed black pepper and pour olive oil. Using your hands toss the fries well to coat them with the seasonings evenly.
- Line them on greased large baking sheet pan in a single layer. DO NOT overcrowd the pan.
- Bake in the pre heated oven for 15 minutes, then take out the baking sheet carefully and flip the fries.
- Pop it back into the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until cooked through, golden and crisp.
- Take the fries out of oven and let them rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.
Air Fryer instructions
- Pre heat the air fryer at 200° C (390°F).
- Transfer the tossed fries into the air fryer basket. (Avoid overcrowding the basket and do the air frying in 2-3 batches.)
- Cook for 15-20 minutes shaking every few minutes for even cooking and avoid burning.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- For a paleo/Whole30 compliant version of these fries, opt for potato starch instead of cornflour
- Feel free to change up the flavorings - opt for curry powder, Chinese 5-spice, taco powder or garam masala instead of paprika.
- Serve with your favorite dip. I love eating them with raita, tzatziki, honey mustard, wasabi mayo or garlic aioli.
Heidy says
You are so right--- These Sweet Potato Fries became my go-to side dish. They go so well with burgers, sandwiches, and they really are so much healthier and tastier than regular that french fries we make.
Jo says
We love our sweet potato fries at home. Everytime I make it, my kids go crazy over it and it flies very fast. The fries looks perfect Farrukh! Got me tempted to try my fries soon!
Tammy says
Sweet potato fries are my favorite and I just got an air fryer over the holiday season which I'm obsessed with! Cannot wait to make these 😀 They look perfect!
Jenny says
Amazing! Your seasoning is so good. We loved them, my kids went bananas with these fries, not one complaint about eating sweet potatoes. A miracle!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This Sweet Potatoes Fries recipe looks incredibly delicious. I wish these were in front of me.
Colleen says
These potato fries are my family's favorite! This was our first time making them in the air fryer and they turned out perfectly. Thanks for the great instructions.
veenaazmanov says
Baked sounds healthy and these fries look flavorful and love to serve it as a delicious tea time snack too.
Farrukh Aziz says
Thank you so much Veena, glad you liked it 🙂
Sharon says
Sweet potatoes fries are my favorite side with burgers! I love that this recipe includes an oven and air frying directions.
Farrukh Aziz says
Thank you very much Sharon! yeah, these fries our favorite too with burgers and sandwiches. 🙂
Marta says
My kids LOVE sweet potatoes fries so I got them into the kitchen with me to make these. They were a hit!
Farrukh Aziz says
Sounds so much fun. 🙂
Thank you so much Marta, glad you liked it! 🙂