Sweet Potato Fries - Sm Recipe

Preheat

Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. If you have a convection setting, use it for crisper fries and reduce temperature by 15–20°C (about 25–35°F).

Prepare potatoes

Wash and peel the sweet potatoes if desired (leaving the skin on adds texture). Cut each potato into even sticks about 1/3 to 1/2 inch (8–12 mm) thick so they cook evenly. Try to keep them similar in size.

Soak (optional but recommended)

Place the cut fries in a bowl of cold water and soak for 20–30 minutes to remove excess surface starch. This helps them crisp. If short on time, you may skip soaking but expect slightly softer fries.

Dry fries

Drain the fries and spread them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Pat them completely dry—moisture prevents crisping and causes steaming instead of roasting.

Coat fries

In a large bowl, toss the dried sweet potato sticks with cornstarch until lightly and evenly coated. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper over the fries and toss again to distribute seasonings evenly.

Arrange on sheet

Spread the fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces. Crowding causes steaming and softer fries. Use two sheets if necessary.

Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Remove the sheet and carefully flip each fry or shake the pan to turn them. Return to the oven and bake another 8–12 minutes until edges are browned and crisp to your liking. Total bake time typically 20–24 minutes depending on thickness and oven. For extra crispness, finish with 1–2 minutes under the broiler while watching closely.

Finish and serve

Remove fries from the oven and immediately season with a light extra pinch of salt if desired. Sprinkle with chopped parsley (optional) and serve hot with ketchup or fry sauce and a lime wedge on the side for squeezing.

If making ahead, reheat on a baking sheet at 220°C (425°F) for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp. Avoid microwaving as it will soften the fries.