Baked Sweet Potato Fries

These Baked Sweet Potato Fries are nutritious, flavorful, and cooked to crispy perfection. Serve them up as a healthy side dish paired with your favorite entrees for the ultimate meal. These delicious fries guarantee to please!

When we go out to eat, I will always order sweet potato fries. There is just something so delicious about these crispy, slightly sweet french fries that I love.

So when I am looking for a side dish to make at home for these Baked Chicken Tenders or our favorite turkey burgers, you better believe sweet potato fries are at the top of the list.

Not only are they healthier than your average french fries, but they are also really easy to make! With a few tricks, you can make foolproof crispy oven-baked sweet potato fries every single time. I promise these baked fries will not be soggy.

Why We Love Baked Sweet Potato Fries

• Super crispy without frying: This recipe has two tricks that guarantee crispy and delicious sweet potato fries without deep-frying.
• Healthy and nutritious: Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants, beta-carotene, fiber, and Vitamin A. They are more nutritious than regular potatoes or french fries. 
• Family favorite side dish: French fries are universally loved making these an excellent side dish for all kinds of meals. Since these are baked, serve them in place of more traditional roasted or baked potatoes. 

If you love fries as much as we do, you also will want to try these tasty Baked Carrot Fries, Zucchini Fries, and tasty Eggplant Fries. 

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 them, 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, curry powder, seasoned salt, or Cajun seasoning.

How to Make Sweet Potato Fries

Here's how to make these tasty oven-baked fries!

1. Cut the sweet potatoes into thin fries. 

For the best results, cut the sweet potato into fries that are about 1/4 inch thick. The easiest way to do this is to cut the potatoes into long slabs and then cut those into fries.  It's up to you if you peel the sweet potato or leave on the skins.

2. Soak the fries in water (optional).

If you want super crispy fries, take the time to soak the sliced sweet potatoes in a bowl of cold water. This removes some of the starch and ensures the fries get browned on the outside and stay fluffy on the inside. This restaurant trick is worth the extra time.

With that said, you can skip this step and still get a nice, crunchy fry! Both methods work, but I find that the extra step of soaking creates the very best results. 

3. Toss the sweet potato fries in cornstarch.

More than soaking in water, tossing the fries with cornstarch is the most important step to get really crispy fries. The cornstarch creates a crispy coating on the fries and absorbs any extra moisture that may be sticking to the sweet potatoes. 

4. Add oil and seasoning.

Once the sliced sweet potatoes have been tossed in cornstarch, then add the oil and any seasonings you are using. The order is important, always toss with the cornstarch before the oil and seasonings. 

5. Bake in a single layer until crispy.

After lots of experimentation, baking the sweet potato fries at 425 degrees is the best temperature for crispy fries that aren't burnt. Make sure to arrange the fries in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. If the fries are on top of each other or touching, they will not get as crispy.

6. Season as needed.

There is a good chance the sweet potato fries will need some extra salt and seasoning after they are cooked. Try one and then season as needed. 

Make the Best Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Here are some of my top tips and tricks to help you make this dish:

• Change up the seasoning: 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. For some added smoky flavors, try swapping out the paprika for smoked paprika. You won’t regret it!
• Try something sweet: 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!
• Single layer: 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 getting crispy fries.
• Soak the potatoes: 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 them with the cornstarch and drizzling them with olive oil.
• Don't flip too early: 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.
• Make wedges: If you prefer sweet potato wedges over traditional french fries, just slice the sweet potato into wedges and plan on increasing the cooking time. Then serve them with some delicious aioli for dipping.
• Garnishes: 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:

• Burgers: For the classic burger and fries combo, try pairing them with Salmon Burgers, Ranch Chickpea Burgers, or Chicken Burgers.
• Sandwiches and wraps: Pair these healthy veggie fries with a wrap or sandwich. Try out my Turkey BLT Wraps or Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches. 
• Easy proteins: Pair these fries with a protein-packed dish like my Grilled Chicken, Pan Seared Salmon, or Pork Tenderloin.
• Steak: There’s nothing like a little steak frites action! Serve up these “frites” with my Grilled Flank Steak or Easy Pepper Steak.

How to Store Leftover Baked Fries

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.

Best Dipping Sauce for Sweet Potato Fries

You can opt for the classic ketchup or whip up your own homemade sauce like this

• Creamy Chipotle Sauce
• Healthy Honey Mustard
• Jalapeno Ranch
• Barbecue sauce
• Thousand Island
• Chimichurri sauce
• Buffalo sauce

Why won’t my sweet potato fries get crispy?

Soggy baked french fries happen for a few different reasons. Here are the best tips to avoid this:

• Soak the fries in a cold water bath and then let them dry before cooking
• Coat the sweet potato fries in cornstarch before baking
• Make sure not to overcrowd the pan and place them in a single layer
• Do not flip until they have browned and crisped up on the first side