Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
Make Sweet Potato Fries Recipe in just 55m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Sweet Potatoes & Prep
Seasoning & Coating
Finishing & Serving
Method
Sweet Potatoes & Prep
- 1
Wash and cut
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes under cold running water to remove dirt. Trim ends. Cut each potato into 1/4"–1/2" thick fries: first slice lengthwise into 1/2" slabs, then stack and cut into sticks of even thickness so they cook uniformly.
- 2
Soak to remove starch
Place cut fries in a large bowl and cover with 4 cups cold water. Add ice cubes to keep water cold. Soak 20–30 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to draw out excess starch — this helps crispness. After soaking, drain and rinse briefly, then pat fries thoroughly dry with kitchen towels or paper towels. Moisture on the surface will prevent crisping.
Seasoning & Coating
- 3
Coat fries
In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne. Toss the dried sweet potato sticks with the cornstarch-spice mix until evenly dusted. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the fries and toss again so the oil lightly coats each piece—this helps the seasoning adhere and promotes browning.
- 4
Arrange for roasting
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread fries in a single layer with space between pieces—crowding causes steaming. If necessary, roast in batches so each fry has room.
Roasting & Finishing
- 5
Roast
Place baking sheet on the middle rack and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the tray, flip fries with a spatula to expose the other side, rotate the pan front-to-back, and return to oven. Roast another 10–12 minutes until edges are deep golden and crisp but centers are tender. Total time will be about 30–35 minutes depending on thickness and oven.
- 6
Optional broil for extra crisp
If you want extra browning, switch oven to broil (high) for the last 1–2 minutes—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- 7
Season and serve
Remove fries from oven and immediately sprinkle with a pinch more salt to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lime wedges and ketchup or your preferred dip.