These baked Sweet Potato Fries are actually crunchy on the outside while still being soft on the inside. They are absolutely delicious!
There is something about Sweet Potato Fries that is the ultimate comfort food for me. If comfort foods are supposed to nourish your soul and make you happy . . . I mean, this is it, my friends.
I have made this recipe about a billion times, first to perfect it, and then to accompany another set of photos for a different recipe . . . and then just because I can’t get enough. Each and every time I have to remind myself that it’s probably not great to eat the whole batch myself. And each and every time I fail.
These Baked Sweet Potato Fries are exactly what you want them to be. They are easy to make, crispy on the outside, and soft and tender on the inside. All of that and they have the best flavor. You and your family will love them.
If you love the idea of crispy baked fries at home, but you are more of a traditional fries person, try my Easy French Fries.
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries
There are a few key steps that I want to highlight to make sure you get the consistency you are looking for in these homemade sweet potato fries. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Start by soaking the fries in hot water. Read more on this below.
- Dry the fries very very well after soaking. If you skip this step you won’t get a crisp fry.
- Toss the sweet potatoes with oil and seasonings. I’m giving you what I love most with these, but really you could season them with any of my seasoning mixes too.
- Bake the sweet potato fries. Toss the sweet potatoes and rotate the pan half way through baking.
Soaking Potatoes for Fries
The whole reason for soaking potatoes before you bake them into fries is to help pull out some of the starch. You can actually see the water get starchier as they soak. In doing this, we can make sweet potatoes in the oven and they will still come out crisp.
Cutting Sweet Potatoes
To cut your sweet potatoes into fries, start by peeling them. This isn’t actually necessary, it’s just a texture thing. I prefer fries without skins. Tossing them in the hot water right after you cut them will also prevent them from browning.
- Cut off the very ends of the sweet potatoes.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch slices and then cut each slice into a 1/2 inch fry.
Do your best to keep the fries consistent in size. This will prevent the smaller fries from burning.
Oven Temperature
We are baking these sweet potato fries at a nice 425 degrees Fahrenheit. You need this high of oven temperature to get the crisp exterior we are looking for.
Some recipes suggest that you preheat the baking sheet with the oven before cooking. I don’t think this is a necessary step. It doesn’t change the crispiness of the exterior more than soaking the fries does.
It also is a great way to burn your wrists if you are clumsy like me.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
If you love the idea of these, but would rather make them in your air fryer that works too. Please note that these are a bit easier to make in the oven because they really do need to be in a single layer.
Follow the preparation exactly as has been written here, first soaking the potatoes, then patting them very dry, and finally tossing them with oil and seasonings. Then cook them in your preheated air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook them for 20 minutes, tossing them half way through. You will likely need to cook them two batches so they are in a single layer.
Seasonings
I kept the seasonings of this recipe really simple. We are using three plus oil.
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
In my humble opinion, the cayenne pepper is a must. It is what takes these over the top. It makes them delicious without being spicy. But, if you are worried it will be too much for your family, leave it off.
As mentioned above, this is just a starting off point. You could really season these with any of my many seasoning mixes.
Serving Sweet Potato Fries
Every single time I share these on social media, someone tells me that these are best when dipped in Apple Butter. I haven’t tried it yet myself, but it does kind of sound amazing.
These would also be amazing dipped in my BBQ sauce or my very favorite fry sauce on the planet, Chick Oil A Sauce.
Crockpot Apple Butter
FAQ
Healthy is such a relative term. Should you eat a whole batch of these every day for dinner? No. Are they healthier than regular fries? Yes. They aren’t deep fried so they have that going for them. They also use a healthier oil than fast food fries. Finally, sweet potatoes are a little better for you than russet potatoes, which is what traditional fries are made from.
More detailed instructions are above, but these cook in the air fryer for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to Serve Sweet Potato Fries With
As I said, these are right up there on my final meal list, so I think they go with just about anything. But here are a few things that I like them with best:
If you make this sweet potato fries recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch fries (about 1 to 1.5 pounds or 453 to 680 grams)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (59 ml)
Instructions
- Place the cut sweet potatoes in a bowl of hot water and soak for 10 minutes. Drain, pat dry (see note in post), and set aside.3 large sweet potatoes
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, olive oil, and spices. Toss well to ensure the fries are coated evenly.1/4 cup olive oil
- Pour the sweet potatoes onto a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 23 minutes, flip the sweet potatoes and rotate the pan. Bake for an additioanl 15 to 25 minutes, checking to make sure they do not burn.
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool a little and then serve with ketchup.
Shirley says
I’m surprised u did not add an air fryer option. Not that I have one…..
like you recipes.!
Sabrina says
thank you, and nice and simple, good reminder for me how straightforward these are to make, I much prefer sweet potatoes to russet or other “regular” potatoes in every way and as fries too (even oven baked!0
Jewel Snyder says
I use Pumpkin Pie spice no salt or Cayenne. Use the oil and the spice only absolutely delicious.
Well that sounds amazing!
June says
I make sweet potatoe fries a lot but I dont like with ketchup. I love the sauce that is served with them from the Ale House. I’ve tried a few times, unsuccessfully, to make it. Lisa, have you ever tasted it?
I’m sorry, June, I haven’t.
Naomi Robinson says
Lucky for us, our boys prefer sweet potato fried to the usual. These look incredible!
Thank you!
Matt Robinson says
My boys are obsessed with sweet potato fries, can’t wait to make these for them!
They are pretty hard to resist!
Luiz Braido says
I made this tonight but baked it in the oven. SO GOOD!
Glad to hear you liked it!
Elsie Richard says
What dips do you make for these, perhaps siracha mayo?
I love Sriracha Mayo! That would be delicious with these. Otherwise ketchup would be great or our Chick Fil A Sauce.