Baked Sweet Potato Fries are wholesome, flavorful, and cooked to crispy perfection. Serve them up as a crunchy and satisfying snack or pair them with your favorite entrees for the ultimate meal. These delicious fries guarantee to please at any occasion!
I don’t know about you, but my favorite thing about football season is the game day parties. More specifically, the FOOD at game day parties. In my house, game day means preparing a table filled with mouth-watering appetizers and snacks.
From crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders to savory bites like this Healthy Queso Dip, there’s truly nothing like a game day spread at my place. This year, these Baked Sweet Potato Fries are getting a prime spot right in the center of the table. They are healthier than your average fry, yet just as crispy and delicious. In fact they are downright addictive, we like them better than potato french fries.
Whether you serve this dish as an appetizer or a healthy side dish, I highly recommend pairing it with a dipping sauce. You can opt for the classic ketchup or whip up your own homemade sauce like my Creamy Chipotle Sauce or this Healthy Honey Mustard. Serve up these crispy sweet potato fries alongside a burger or sandwich, or on its own as a delicious appetizer.
If you’re in need of a delicious appetizer for your next party or a healthy side dish for dinner, you have got to try these sweet potato fries. They’re crispy on the outside, fluffy on the outside, and loaded with incredibly savory flavor. Best of all, they’re super easy to make! Don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself and let me know what you think.
Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps
To make this delicious and healthy side dish, you will need the following key ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes: These starchy veggies are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Because we’re baking them instead of deep frying, they’re way healthier than the fries you can get at any restaurant. Not to mention, you know exactly what’s going into them!
- Olive oil. I prefer to use olive oil, but feel free to use avocado or grapeseed oil if that’s what you have. In a pinch, you could also toss the fries in melted butter,
- Cornstarch. This ingredient is super important for getting the fries extra crispy, so don’t skip it!
- Spices. I like to use a combination of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. However, feel free to use any spices you want. Any of your favorite savory (or sweet!) blends will work. Other delicious options include chili powder, cumin, cinnamon sugar, or cayenne pepper.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks to help you make this dish:
- Feel free to switch up the combination of seasonings you use to suit your needs. Any of your favorite spice blends will work great. Some good options include Italian seasoning, blackening seasoning, Old Bay, and poultry seasoning.
- You can turn these fries into sweet treats by seasoning them with a blend of cinnamon and brown sugar or honey. Pair them alongside a caramel dipping sauce and you’ve got the perfect fall dessert!
- Make sure you do not overcrowd the pan. Try to prevent your fries from touching one another if you can, as crowded fries will wind up steaming instead of crisping up the way we want. Keeping your fries in a single layer truly is a game changer to get crispy fries.
- For some added smoky flavors, try swapping out the paprika for smoked paprika. You won’t regret it!
- Don’t forget to soak your sweet potatoes in cold water. This helps them to release some of their starch and absorb moisture, which results in fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Just make sure to dry them really well with a towel before tossing hrem with the cornstarch and drizzling with olive oil.
- If you try to flip the fries and realize they are sticking, it means they aren't ready to be flipped. Wait a couple more minutes. As they brown and crisp, they will release from the pan. Even better - use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent any sticking.
- If you prefer sweet potato wedges over traditional french fries, just slice the sweet potato into wedges and plan on increasing the cooking time.
- For the ultimate presentation, try garnishing with some grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. It’s delicious and aesthetically pleasing!
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Fries
This dish works great as a standalone appetizer or snack, but it’s also a phenomenal side dish for a variety of entrees. In need of some inspiration? You already know I’ve got you covered! Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with sweet potato fries:
- For the classic burger and fries combo, try pairing them with my Barbecue Cheddar Turkey Burger or Chicken Caesar Burger.
- Burgers not your thing? Pair these healthy veggie fries with a wrap instead. Try out my Turkey BLT Wraps or Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wraps for the ultimate lunch. This also makes a fantastic make-ahead lunch for bringing to work!
- Looking for the perfect grain-free dinner? Pair these fries with a protein-packed dish like my Grilled Tandoori Chicken or Pan Seared Salmon.
- There’s nothing like a little steak and frites action! Serve up these “frites” with my Grilled Flank Steak or Easy Pepper Steak.
How to Store This Dish
To enjoy this dish in all of its crispy glory, I recommend serving it immediately. However, it also tastes delicious when saved for leftovers—especially if you reheat it in the oven. Honestly, these fries are so good that you could eat them cold and enjoy them, but they are definitely the tastiest when warm.
- In the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- In the freezer for up to 6 months.
To reheat, simply thaw out your fries in the fridge overnight and pop them into a 350° oven until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this healthy side dish recipe:
Are baked sweet potato fries healthy?
Yes! Unlike restaurant fries that are deep-fried and greasy, these sweet potato fries are baked. This makes them much healthier, not to mention sweet potatoes are wonderful sources of complex carbs and nutrients.
Why won’t my sweet potato fries get crispy?
This could happen for a number of reasons. As long as you soak the fries in a cold water bath and then let them dry before cooking, coat them in cornstarch, and make sure not to overcrowd them, they should crisp up nicely.
What should I serve with this dish?
You can serve these veggie fries as an appetizer or healthy snack on their own or with a dipping sauce. Alternatively, you can serve it as a side dish alongside any dish you like. Some of my top choices are burgers, wraps, and lean proteins like chicken or fish.
Are there Whole30 and Paleo friendly?
If you are following a Whole30 or Paleo diet, just leave out the cornstarch. The potatoes will still get nice and crispy on the outside.
More Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes
If you liked this tasty recipe, try these next:
- Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
- Chicken and Sweet Potato Soup
- Curry Sweet Potato Noodles