Description
These Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional fries. With a perfect balance of seasoning and a light coating of cornstarch, these fries come out golden, crispy, and full of flavor. Soaking the cut sweet potatoes in water removes excess starch, helping achieve that perfect crunch when baked. Ideal for a tasty side dish or a snack, these fries are easy to prepare and oven-baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Fries
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled optional and cut into fries)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a baking sheet inside the oven while it heats to get it nice and hot.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes if desired and cut them into 1/4 inch thick fries. Make sure to cut them evenly to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Soak the Fries: Place the cut sweet potato fries in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for 30 minutes. This soaking step helps remove excess starch, which is crucial for achieving crispiness.
- Season the Fries: Drain and thoroughly pat dry the fries with paper towels to remove all moisture. In a large bowl, toss the fries with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Mix everything well to coat the fries evenly.
- Bake the Fries: Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the fries in a single layer, avoiding overlap. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fries turn golden brown and crispy.
- Check for Crispiness: Once baked to a crispy golden color, remove the fries from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving to ensure maximum crunch.
Notes
- Soaking the fries helps remove starch and increases crispiness.
- Using cornstarch is optional but recommended for extra crispiness.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet to allow proper air circulation for even baking.
- For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- Adjust seasoning to taste or add other spices such as cayenne for heat.