Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Potatoes provided by Melissa’s Produce

I love sweet potatoes.  My mom would cook them for me when I was a kid, so they are a comfort food for me.. She would bake and then refrigerate them for me. I remember snacking on a plate filled with cube-sized bites. Maybe it was a Korean thing, but sweet potatoes were also my daughter’s favorite when she was little. I’d heat one up in the microwave, and serve it to all mashed up! Yup, I love sweet potatoes, any potato really. And we eat them any time of the season. Sure, French fries aren’t the healthiest option but sweet baked potato fries are!

Thanks to Melissa’s Produce for sending over some of their organic sweet potatoes. My daughter and I got cooking in the kitchen. Before we get started, did you know that not all sweet potatoes are orange? In fact, they come in a variety of colors and tastes. White potatoes have a milder taste a bit drier, crumbly but still delicious.  And sweet potatoes have a ton of health benefits. They are loaded with vitamins and fiber. This recipe does use oil, but they are baked therefore a bit healthier.

So let’s get started.

What you need.

• 1 medium sweet potato per person
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch/potato starch or 4 tablespoons of flour
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• ½ tsp of salt

Here’s how to prepare your potatoes.

I tend to like my French fries with the skin on them but feel free to peel the skin!

1)   Cut your potatoes into sticks. I wasn’t exact with mine but I’d say about ¼ of an inch. I tend to like mine a little thicker. Cut the potatoes into 4-5 pieces and then lay out the pieces flat. Cut those sticks into thinner strips.
2)   Soak your sticks in cold water for an hour or so. I prepared my fries the night before and let them soak overnight. Soaking removes the starch from the potatoes which helps them become crispy.
3)   Drain them from the water and make sure the strips are dry (pat them with paper towels)
4)   Toss the fries with cornstarch or flour and salt in a bowl or baggie. This starch will also help the fries achieve a crispier texture. Then add oil.
5)   I placed my fries onto a wire rack over a baking try making sure not to overlap any.

I also threw in pinches of thyme and paprika. Experiment with different spices as well as parmasean cheese and dipping sauces.

Bake 400 degrees for 30 minutes. I flipped them halfway through, and broiled them for a few minutes to give them an extra crispiness but the inside was still soft. It reminds me of the consistency of roasted chestnuts which I love!

Want to go oil free?

I have also made these without oil. I have sprinkled salt and pepper on them and baked them at 400 for 40-50 mins. You can also prepare these as dog treats!

Yum! Grab the ketchup (or we like ours plain) and go!

Check out these other tasty potato recipes!

Impress the Guests Crispy Leaf Potatoes Recipe

Simple Hash Brown Potatoes Recipe Challenge with Melissa’s Produce

The Perfect Side Dish :: Fresh Garlic, Herb and Parmesan Roasted Potatoes