Sweet Potatoe Fries Recipe

Preheat and prepare

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. If you have a wire rack that fits on the baking sheet, place it on top and lightly oil the rack — this helps air circulate and yields crisper fries.

Wash and cut potatoes

Wash and scrub 2 large sweet potatoes thoroughly. Peel them if you prefer (skins left on add texture). Cut sweet potatoes into 1/4–1/2-inch thick sticks: first slice lengthwise into 1/4–1/2-inch slabs, then stack and cut into sticks. Try to keep pieces similar size for even cooking. You should end up with roughly 12–16 oz of fries per potato depending on size.

Soak to remove starch

Place the cut fries into a large bowl of cold water and soak for 20–30 minutes (or at least 10 minutes if short on time). This step removes surface starch and helps achieve crisper fries. After soaking, drain and pat the fries completely dry with clean kitchen towels or paper towels.

Coat with cornstarch and oil

Put the dried fries in a large bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cornstarch evenly over the fries and toss to coat — the cornstarch creates a light crust. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and toss until each fry is evenly coated.

Season

In a small bowl combine 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the oiled fries and toss to distribute evenly.

Arrange on sheet and bake

Spread the fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet (or on the wire rack) with space between pieces — overcrowding causes steaming and soggy fries. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes, then remove the sheet and flip or turn the fries with a spatula so they brown evenly.

Finish baking

Return the fries to the oven and bake another 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness and oven, until edges are browned and fries are tender inside. For extra crispness, switch the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes while watching closely to avoid burning.

Rest and season to taste

Remove fries from oven and let rest 2 minutes on the sheet. Taste and adjust seasoning — add a small pinch of salt if needed and squeeze 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice over the fries to brighten flavors (optional).

Transfer fries to a serving dish. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan over the top, if desired. Serve immediately with 1/4 cup ketchup or spicy mayo on the side for dipping.