If you’ve been searching for that perfect snack or side dish that delivers both incredible flavor and a satisfying crunch without the guilt of deep frying, look no further! Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries are exactly what your taste buds need. With their vibrant orange hue, slightly sweet flavor, and the irresistible crispiness on the outside paired with tender insides, these fries are a total game changer in the world of healthy comfort food. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never want to go back to soggy or greasy fries again!

Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Putting together the ingredients for these Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries is delightfully simple, yet each component plays a starring role in creating the perfect combination of taste, texture, and beautiful color.

2 medium sweet potatoes: The star of the show, offering natural sweetness and vibrant orange color.

2 tablespoons olive oil: Helps crisp up the fries and adds a subtle, fruity flavor.
1 teaspoon garlic powder: Boosts savory notes to balance the fries’ sweetness.

1 teaspoon paprika: Adds a smoky warmth; smoked paprika is even better if you want a deeper flavor.
1 teaspoon salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors.

½ teaspoon black pepper: A little kick that rounds out the seasoning.
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional): A little magic dust that ensures the crispiest exterior possible without frying.

How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to a hot 425°F (220°C). While the oven heats, place your baking sheet inside to get hot as well—this is a key trick to kickstart that crispiness as soon as the fries hit the pan!

Step 2: Cut Your Sweet Potatoes into Uniform Fries

Peeling is optional based on your texture preference, but cutting sweet potatoes into ¼ inch thick, evenly sized fries ensures they bake evenly. Uniform thickness is your best friend here for consistent cooking.

Step 3: Soak the Fries in Cold Water

Place the sweet potato fries in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for 30 minutes. This step removes excess starch, which is the secret behind that coveted crisp exterior. Seriously, don’t skip this!

Step 4: Season and Coat the Fries

After soaking, drain the fries and thoroughly pat them dry—any moisture left can make the fries soggy. Toss the fries in a large bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and if you’re after extra crunch, sprinkle the cornstarch in now. Mix everything until each fry is beautifully coated.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Carefully remove your hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the fries out in a single layer—avoid overcrowding to let the air circulate freely. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through baking to ensure all sides develop that irresistible crispness and golden color.

Step 6: Let Them Cool Just a Bit

Once they’re out of the oven, give your Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries a few minutes to cool down. This helps the outside crisp even further and prevents burning your fingers as soon as you dig in.

How to Serve Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Garnishes

Sprinkle fresh herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro on your fries for a pop of color and fresh flavor. A light dusting of parmesan cheese or a drizzle of sriracha mayo adds an exciting flavor twist if you want to jazz things up.

Side Dishes

These fries are wonderfully versatile! Pair them with burgers, grilled chicken, or fish tacos for a classic combo. They also work brilliantly alongside salads or bowls for a heartier veggie boost.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your sweet potato fries piled high in a rustic basket lined with parchment paper for a casual vibe. Or go gourmet by plating them next to a trio of dipping sauces—think garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, and honey mustard—for a colorful and interactive feast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of your Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries, first let them cool completely and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This helps keep them fresh yet ready to enjoy again.

Freezing

While you can freeze baked sweet potato fries, they tend to lose some of their crispness. If you choose to freeze them, lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen for best results.

Reheating

To bring back the crispiness after storing, reheat your fries in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it softens the fries and ruins that signature crunch!

FAQs

Can I skip soaking the sweet potato fries?

While not mandatory, soaking significantly reduces starch and is key to achieving crispy fries. Skipping this step might lead to slightly less crisp fries, but they will still taste delicious.

Is cornstarch really necessary for crispiness?

Cornstarch is your secret weapon for extra crunchy fries. It creates a light coating that helps absorb moisture during baking, so if you love crispy fries, definitely give it a try.

Can I make these fries with regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

Absolutely! The same method works wonderfully with regular potatoes, though the taste and color will be different. Sweet potatoes offer that lovely sweetness and vibrant hue that’s uniquely their own.

How do I prevent fries from sticking to the baking sheet?

Using a well-oiled baking sheet or lining it with parchment paper helps immensely. Also, make sure the fries aren’t overcrowded, and tossing them in enough oil prevents sticking and promotes even baking.

Can I make these fries gluten-free?

Yes! The ingredient list is naturally gluten-free if you use cornstarch or a gluten-free alternative. Always check your spices and cornstarch packaging to confirm there are no gluten additives.

Final Thoughts

Making Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries is one of those kitchen triumphs that feels both indulgent and wholesome. The blend of crispy texture, vibrant spices, and natural sweetness makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser every time. Give it a whirl—you might just find your new favorite comfort snack that’s perfect for any occasion!

Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 5 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

These Crispy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries offer a healthy, delicious alternative to traditional deep-fried fries. Coated with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, and optionally dusted with cornstarch for extra crispiness, these fries bake to a perfect golden brown in just over an hour. Perfect as a snack or side dish, they are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, delivering crunch and nutrition all in one.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled optional and cut into fries)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional for extra flavor)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch (for extra crispiness)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place a baking sheet inside to get hot while the oven heats. This preheating step is essential to start cooking the fries immediately and help achieve crispiness.
Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel (optional) and cut the sweet potatoes into 1/4 inch thick fries. Aim for uniform pieces so they cook evenly and crisp uniformly.

Soak the Fries: Place the cut fries in a bowl of cold water and soak for 30 minutes. This step removes excess starch, which is key for a crispy texture.
Season the Fries: Drain the fries and pat them completely dry with a paper towel to remove moisture. Toss them in a large bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. If using cornstarch, sprinkle it on now and toss to coat well, forming a light crispy coating.
Bake the Fries: Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven. Spread the fries out in a single layer without overcrowding to ensure air circulation. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning the fries halfway through the cooking to brown all sides evenly.

Check for Crispiness: When the fries are golden brown and crisp, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving to enhance their crunch.

Notes

Use Cornstarch for Extra Crispiness: Adding cornstarch before baking helps create a crunchy exterior by absorbing moisture while keeping the inside tender.
Do Not Overcrowd the Pan: Ensure fries have enough space on the baking sheet to avoid steaming and sogginess.

Pat Fries Thoroughly Dry: Drying fries after soaking is critical to crisping up during baking.
Flip Fries Halfway: Turning fries halfway through baking ensures even cooking and browning.
Use a Hot Baking Sheet: This jump-starts the cooking process for extra crispiness.

Storage: Cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes to regain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it makes fries soggy.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Side Dish, Snack
Method: Oven Baking

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 150 kcal

Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 400 mg
Fat: 7 g

Saturated Fat: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g

Carbohydrates: 21 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 2 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, Healthy Sweet Potato Fries, Baked Fries, Easy Snack, Side Dish