Who doesn’t love crispy, golden fries? These Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries are a healthier, delicious twist on the classic fry, and they’re easy to make right in your oven. With their natural sweetness, perfectly crisp edges, and a hint of smoky and savory seasonings, these sweet potato fries are sure to be a hit as a snack or side dish.

Healthy and Flavorful

Unlike traditional deep-fried potatoes, these sweet potato fries are baked to crispy perfection using just a little oil and a touch of cornstarch. The result is a fry that’s not only healthier but also packed with flavor thanks to a simple seasoning blend. Whether you like your fries spicy, herby, or loaded with toppings, this recipe is versatile enough to cater to all your cravings.

Perfect for Any Meal or Occasion

These crispy baked sweet potato fries make an excellent side for burgers, sandwiches, or grilled meats. They’re also great on their own with a dipping sauce or as part of a loaded fry platter for game day. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free and can be adapted to be vegan, making them a crowd-pleaser for all dietary preferences. Simple to prepare and even easier to enjoy, these sweet potato fries will quickly become a go-to favorite.

Ingredients for Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Making Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries requires just a few simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:

Main Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes – The star of the show! Orange sweet potatoes are ideal because they’re naturally sweeter and moister, but feel free to use other varieties if you prefer. Choose potatoes that are firm and uniform in size for easy cutting and even cooking.

For Crispiness and Flavor:

Olive Oil – Helps the sweet potatoes crisp up in the oven and adds a rich flavor. You can substitute with another high-heat oil like avocado oil.
Cornstarch – The secret to getting that perfect crispy texture! A light dusting of cornstarch ensures the fries develop that coveted crunch even when baked.

Seasonings:

Paprika – Adds a mild smoky flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Garlic Powder – Infuses the fries with a subtle savory flavor without overpowering them.
Cayenne Pepper (optional) – For a touch of heat! You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
Kosher Salt – A must for bringing out the flavors of the sweet potatoes and seasoning them to perfection.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Adds a little bite and balances the sweetness of the potatoes.

How to Make Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Once you have your ingredients ready, these steps will guide you through making the perfect crispy sweet potato fries.

Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Start by peeling the sweet potatoes if desired. Slice them into even-sized fries, about ¼-inch thick, to ensure they cook evenly.
Coat with Oil: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil until they’re evenly coated. This helps the fries get that golden, crispy exterior.
Add Cornstarch and Seasonings: In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the oiled fries and toss to coat evenly.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 450ºF (230ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread the fries in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Remove the fries from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before serving. This helps them firm up and become extra crispy.

By following these simple steps, you’ll achieve perfect Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries every time!

How Long to Bake Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Getting your Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries just right is all about the correct baking time and technique. Here’s how to ensure perfectly crispy fries:

Baking Time: Bake the sweet potato fries at 450ºF (230ºC) for 20 to 25 minutes. The high heat helps them crisp up, and you’ll know they’re done when they turn golden brown and develop crispy edges.
Flip Halfway Through: To ensure even crispiness, flip the fries halfway through the cooking time, around the 10-12 minute mark. This will help both sides of the fries get nice and crispy, while preventing the bottoms from burning.
Rest After Baking: Once the fries are done, let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time allows them to firm up even more, giving you that perfect crispy texture.

Tips for the Perfect Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Even Cutting: For evenly cooked fries, make sure to cut the sweet potatoes into uniform pieces, about ¼-inch thick. This ensures they all cook at the same rate, so you won’t have some fries overcooked and others underdone.
Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Give the fries space to breathe on the baking sheet. If they’re too close together, they’ll steam rather than roast, resulting in soggy fries. If needed, use two baking sheets or bake in batches.
Crispiness Boost: The cornstarch is key to getting crispy fries, so don’t skip it! It helps absorb moisture from the potatoes and creates that crunchy exterior when baked.

Storing and Reheating Sweet Potato Fries

Storing Leftovers: If you have leftover fries, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, they will lose some of their crispiness over time.
Reheating: To bring back some of the crispiness, reheat the fries in a preheated oven at 425ºF for about 5 minutes. Avoid reheating them in the microwave, as this will make them soggy.

By following these timing and cooking tips, you’ll have perfectly crispy, golden Baked Sweet Potato Fries every time!

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Author: Sally
Total Time: 45 minute
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Golden and perfectly crisp, these Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries are a healthy, delicious alternative to traditional fries. With a few simple ingredients and a quick bake, you’ll get fries that are tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with flavor. These fries are the perfect side dish or snack, and they pair well with any dip you love!

Ingredients

Scale

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled (optional) and cut into ¼-inch thick fries
2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 450ºF (230ºC). Peel the sweet potatoes if desired, and cut them into uniform ¼-inch thick fries.
Coat with Oil: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil until they are well-coated.
Add Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the mixture over the fries and toss to evenly coat.
Bake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the fries out in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through until the fries are golden brown and crispy.
Cool and Serve: Let the fries cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet to allow them to crisp up further. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

For extra crispiness, make sure the fries are spaced out on the baking sheet. Overcrowding will cause them to steam and become soggy.
To reheat leftover fries, place them in a preheated oven at 425ºF for about 5 minutes to restore their crisp texture.
Feel free to switch up the seasonings! Add a pinch of chili powder, rosemary, or even grated Parmesan for different flavors.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes