Tasty Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Category: Perfect Side Dishes to Complete Any Meal

Grab a batch of these oven-baked sweet potato fries that are crispy at the edges but soft inside. Cover them just enough with olive oil and, if you want extra crunch, a bit of cornstarch. Toss with spices like paprika for big flavor and roast at high heat. Eat them while they’re hot with any dip you like. Set the fries apart on the pan so they cook up crisp and try soaking them first if you want that extra crunch. Put leftovers in the fridge and when you want them again, just pop them back in the oven until they’re sizzling again.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Authored By Elisa
Updated on Wed, 28 May 2025 13:28:04 GMT
A white bowl holding fries with a spoon resting in it. Bookmark
A white bowl holding fries with a spoon resting in it. | recipesbyelisa.com

Pulling a batch of hot sweet potato fries from the oven always feels like a cozy win Their soft inside and crispy edges always hit the spot Plus they’re a lighter option than regular fries I lean on these baked sweet potato fries for midweek meals or lazy weekend munchies since they’ve got great color taste great and disappear fast

These got rave reviews the first round I made them for friends What’s cool is you can switch up the dips or spice combos so they never get boring

Tasty Ingredients

  • Sweet potatoes: Look for ones that feel heavy with tight bright skin Slice them into same size sticks so they cook evenly
  • Olive oil: This is what makes your fries crisp up Pick a good extra virgin oil if you want max flavor
  • Paprika: Brings color and some mild heat Smoked paprika jazzes things up with a deeper flavor if you’re feeling fancy
  • Black pepper: Adds a bit of kick and brings the other flavors together Use fresh ground if you can
  • Salt: Makes the sweetness pop Fine salt sticks best so go with that
  • Garlic powder: Pumps up the savory notes Just make sure it hasn’t been sitting in your pantry forever
  • Cornstarch: Toss some in for more crunch Go for the powdery kind with no clumps so it coats evenly

Simple How-To

Get the Sweet Potatoes Ready:
Scrub and peel if you like them skinless Slice into equal sticks about a quarter inch thick Pop your oven on to four twenty five and cover your sheet pan with parchment for quick cleanup
Mix with Spices:
Grab a big bowl and stir your sweet potato sticks with olive oil till shiny Sprinkle in black pepper paprika salt and garlic powder Add some cornstarch if you want them crisp Give everything another toss so it all sticks nicely
Lay Out to Bake:
Spread them in a single layer across the tray Everyone gets their own spot so they crisp not steam No piling allowed
Roast Till Crispy:
Pop them in the middle of the oven Bake twenty minutes then pull out and flip with a spatula so the other sides brown Back in they go for ten or fifteen more minutes Keep checking because ovens work differently
Dig In:
When the edges look golden and they’re crunchy just enough remove the tray Let them cool a bit then grab your favorite dipping sauce and dig in while hot
A bowl of fries with a dollop of sour cream. Bookmark
A bowl of fries with a dollop of sour cream. | recipesbyelisa.com

I always reach for sweet potatoes because they hit this sweet-savory spot and bring some healthy perks too Ever since my childhood they were a crowd pleaser at family get togethers Now they’re my movie night must-have

How to Store Them

Let any extra fries cool down before sealing in a container They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for about three days Want them crispy again Spread out and reheat at three seventy five for maybe ten minutes Keep them in a single layer to bring back that crunch

Easy Swaps

No olive oil No sweat Avocado oil makes it super neutral or go with coconut for more sweetness Smoked paprika out Try basic paprika or a tiny bit of chili powder for extra heat Don’t have cornstarch They still get plenty crisp just watch for browning

Fun Ways to Serve

Sweet potato fries play so well with burgers roasted chicken or as finger food for parties Go classic with ketchup or try spicy mayo or garlic aioli For something new shake on parmesan or toss with parsley just before you serve

A plate of fries with a dollop of butter on top. Bookmark
A plate of fries with a dollop of butter on top. | recipesbyelisa.com

Background and Traditions

People have cooked sweet potatoes for ages especially in South America and the South of the US Baking came about as a fresher twist to boost their natural sweetness without a ton of oil Everybody swaps in their own spice blends so you can always make it your own

Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes

→ What tricks keep sweet potato fries crispy in the oven?

Laying fries out solo on the tray, using just a touch of cornstarch, and cranking the heat all help. Skip stacking them or they’ll get soggy.

→ Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?

Nope, the skin has fiber and gives a little extra chew. Just wash them really well before slicing up.

→ What kind of spices are good for sweet potato fries?

Paprika and garlic powder are go-tos. Black pepper and salt work great. Toss in cayenne for some kick or sprinkle with parmesan if you want.

→ Is it a must to soak sweet potatoes before baking?

Soaking can help draw out more starch, which makes them crisper, but it’s not needed.

→ What’s the best way to save and reheat leftovers?

Put your fries in a sealed container in the fridge. Pop them in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes when you’re ready to eat again.

→ Can these fries be cooked in an air fryer?

Sure can. Set your air fryer to 375°F, cook around 12 to 15 minutes, and give a shake halfway for crispy fries all over.

Sweet Potato Fries

These sweet potato fries come out crisp from the oven and full of flavor every time.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Total Time Required
45 minutes
Authored By: Elisa

Type of Recipe: Side Dishes

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine Type: Modern

Servings Count: 3 Number of Servings

Dietary Preferences: Vegan Option Available, Suitable for Vegetarians, Gluten-Free Choice, Dairy-Free Alternative

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Main

Ingredient 01 1 tablespoon cornstarch (this one’s for crunch, only if you want it)
Ingredient 02 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Ingredient 03 2 tablespoons olive oil
Ingredient 04 2 medium sweet potatoes, leave the peels on if you like, cut into chunky fries
Ingredient 05 1 teaspoon salt
Ingredient 06 1 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
Ingredient 07 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 01

Give the fries a few minutes to chill out after baking, then eat right away with your favorite dip.

Step 02

Pop the fries in for 20 minutes, flip them around, and cook for 10 to 15 more minutes till they turn crispy and golden.

Step 03

Lay fries out on your baking sheet so they’re all in just one layer. Don’t pile them up.

Step 04

Toss sweet potato sticks with oil, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a big bowl. If you go for cornstarch, dust that on and mix again to coat every fry.

Step 05

Chop sweet potatoes into thick fries, try to keep them similar in size so they cook evenly.

Step 06

Heat your oven to 220°C. Line a baking tray with some parchment paper to make cleanup easy.

Extra Tips and Tricks

  1. Want even crispier results? Soak the fries-to-be in cold water for half an hour, dry them well, and don’t pack the pans too full.
  2. Stash any extras in the fridge in something airtight—they’ll keep up to 3 days. To crisp them up again, just warm in the oven at 190°C for 10 minutes.
  3. Change things up by trying cayenne or even a generous dusting of parmesan cheese before you dig in.
  4. If you’d rather use an air fryer, set it to 190°C, cook for 12 to 15 minutes, and remember to give the basket a good shake halfway.

Must-Have Equipment

  • Oven
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Nutritional Information (per portion)

The provided details are purely informational and should not replace professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 180
  • Fat Amount: 6 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 32 grams
  • Protein Amount: 2 grams