Hot Honey Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Preheat & prepare

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly oil them; place a wire rack on one sheet if you have one for extra crisping.

Cut the potatoes

Trim ends of the sweet potatoes and cut into 1/4–1/2-inch thick fries (aim for uniform thickness so they cook evenly). Pat fries dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove surface moisture.

Coat with cornstarch and oil

In a large bowl, toss the dried sweet potato sticks with 1 tablespoon cornstarch until evenly dusted. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and toss to coat.

Season

Add smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the bowl. Toss until evenly distributed.

Arrange on baking sheets

Spread fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Avoid overcrowding; use both sheets if necessary so fries are not touching.

Bake and flip

Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes. Remove sheets, flip fries using a spatula, rotate sheets between racks if using two, and bake an additional 12–15 minutes until edges are browned and fries are crisp. If using a rack, crisping may be faster — check earlier.

Finish under broiler (optional)

For extra crispiness, switch oven to broil for 1–2 minutes watching closely to avoid burning. Remove when golden-brown and crisp.

Combine ingredients

While fries bake, combine 1/2 cup honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp sriracha (if using), and 0.25 tsp salt in a small saucepan.

Warm and meld flavors

Place saucepan over low–medium heat and warm gently, stirring, until honey thins and ingredients are combined (about 2–3 minutes). Do not boil — just simmer lightly. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp unsalted butter until melted for a glossy finish.

Adjust heat level

Taste carefully: add more red pepper flakes (1/4 tsp at a time) or more sriracha if you want hotter, or add 1–2 tsp more vinegar to brighten if too sweet. Keep sauce warm or at room temperature until ready to use.

Toss or drizzle

Place hot sweet potato fries in a large serving bowl or on a platter. Drizzle 3–4 tablespoons of the hot honey over the fries and toss gently to coat. Reserve remaining hot honey for guests to add more at the table.

Garnish & season

Sprinkle chopped cilantro (or parsley) over the fries and finish with a light sprinkle of flaky salt or the 1/2 tsp fine sea salt to taste. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

Leftover tips

If making ahead, keep sauce refrigerated and rewarm gently. Re-crisp fries in a 425°F oven for 5–8 minutes before tossing with warm sauce.