Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
Make Sweet Potato Fries Recipe in just 50m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Sweet potatoes
Seasoning
Finishes & serving
Method
Prep & cutting
Wash and cut
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Peel if you prefer (optional). Cut each potato into fries about 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick so they are uniform in size for even cooking. Aim for roughly 3 cups of cut fries from 3 medium sweet potatoes.
Soak (optional but recommended)
Place the cut fries in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 20–30 minutes to remove excess surface starch. This helps them crisp up in the oven. If short on time, proceed directly to the next step.
Drying & coating
Dry thoroughly
After soaking, drain the fries in a colander and pat completely dry with clean kitchen towels or paper towels. Any residual moisture will cause steaming and prevent crisping.
Toss with cornstarch
Place the dried fries in a large bowl. Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon cornstarch over the fries and toss until lightly and evenly coated. The cornstarch creates a light crust when baked.
Season and oil
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the bowl, then add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional cumin. Toss well with your hands or a large spoon to evenly coat each fry in oil and seasoning.
Baking
Arrange on baking sheet
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it. Spread the fries in a single layer with space between pieces — crowding causes steaming and soggy fries. For best results, use two sheets if necessary.
Bake and flip
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12 minutes, then flip the fries using a spatula to promote even browning. Continue baking another 8–12 minutes, watching closely in the last 5 minutes. Total bake time will be 20–24 minutes depending on thickness and oven; fries should be tender inside and browned at the edges.
Optional broil for extra crisp
If you want extra crispness, switch the oven to broil on high for 1–2 minutes after baking—watch constantly to avoid burning.
Finishing & serving
Season and garnish
Remove fries from oven and immediately taste one; adjust seasoning with a small pinch of salt if needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the fries and squeeze a little lime or lemon juice if desired.
Serve
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce (about 1/2 cup) on the side. Leftovers can be reheated in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp.