Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Preheat and prepare pans

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them to prevent sticking and allow airflow around fries.

Wash and cut

Scrub the sweet potatoes well. Peel if you prefer (peel optional). Cut each sweet potato lengthwise into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick sticks so pieces are as uniform as possible for even cooking (about 8–10 sticks per potato).

Place the cut sweet potato sticks in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 15–30 minutes to remove excess starch (helps them crisp). Drain and pat completely dry with kitchen towels or paper towels — dryness is important for crispness.

Return the dried sweet potato sticks to the bowl. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the fries and toss gently until all pieces have a light, even dusting of cornstarch.

Drizzle the olive oil over the dusted fries. Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss well with your hands or tongs to coat evenly, making sure each fry has a thin coating of oil and spices.

Arrange the seasoned sweet potato sticks in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets leaving space between pieces (use two sheets if needed). Overcrowding steams the fries and prevents crisping.

Bake for 12 minutes, then rotate the pans front-to-back and flip each fry with a spatula to encourage even browning. Continue baking for another 8–12 minutes until edges are golden and tips are crisp. Total bake time will be about 20–24 minutes depending on thickness and oven; thicker fries may need up to 28 minutes. Watch closely in the last 5 minutes to prevent burning.

For extra crispness, turn on the oven broiler for 1–2 minutes at the end — keep the oven door slightly ajar and watch constantly to avoid burning.

Transfer baked sweet potato fries to a cooling rack or a paper-towel-lined tray to drain any excess oil. While still hot, squeeze lime wedges over the fries if using and sprinkle chopped parsley for color and freshness.

If making the dipping sauce: whisk together Greek yogurt, hot sauce, and honey in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve alongside fries.

Serve immediately for best crispness.