Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Preheat and prepare baking surface

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

Wash and peel the sweet potatoes if desired. Cut each sweet potato into even fries about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick so they cook uniformly. Aim for roughly 3 cups of cut fries (about 3 medium sweet potatoes).

Place the cut fries in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 20 minutes to remove excess starch (this helps them crisp).

Dry and toss with cornstarch

After soaking, drain and pat the fries thoroughly dry with clean kitchen towels or paper towels. Transfer the dried fries to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cornstarch over the fries and toss gently to coat evenly — this creates a light crust when baked.

Add oil and seasonings

Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the coated fries. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Toss well to distribute oil and seasonings so each fry has a thin, even coating.

Arrange on sheet

Spread the fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them. Overcrowding will cause steaming instead of crisping. Use two baking sheets if necessary.

Bake and flip

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the sheet and use a spatula to flip the fries so they brown evenly. Return to the oven and bake an additional 8–12 minutes until edges are crisp and centers are tender. Total baking time will be about 28–32 minutes depending on thickness and oven.

Optional broil for extra crisp

If you want extra crispness, switch the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Remove fries from the oven and immediately sprinkle with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley if using, tossing gently on the sheet so the cheese melts slightly and herbs adhere.

Season additional salt to taste and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the fries or with your preferred dipping sauce.