Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries the Holy Grail

Best Homemade Sweet Potato Fries My Crispy Secret

By Jamie ElridgeJune 30, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: Craving Fries?

Ever get that hankering for fries? I know I do. Honestly, making homemade sweet potato fries is where it's at. Forget soggy chips, we're talking crispy and naturally sweet!

Brief Overview: From America with Love

These sweet potato fries come from the good ol' US of A. They are proper comfort food! This recipe is super easy.

It takes about 45- 50 minutes, excluding soaking time. It gives you around 4 servings.

Main Benefits: Healthy Treat

Healthy fries ? Yes, please! Sweet potatoes are packed with good stuff. These are great for a burger night. This recipe rocks because they are actually crispy!.

Honestly, you can also make them vegan sweet potato fries too!

Why These Fries Are the Best

Let's be real. Soggy fries are just sad. The secret to the best sweet potato fries is soaking. It gets rid of that extra starch! This gives you those perfectly crisp edges.

What You Need: The Sweet Potato Fries Lineup

Here's the kit to bring this recipe to life.

2 large sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Dipping Sauce:

Mayonnaise
Sriracha
Lime juice

How to Make Crispy Sweet Potato Fries: The Steps

First, soak your fries in cold water for at least 30 minutes. While this is happening make sure to preheat your oven to 400° F ( 200° C).

Next, dry them thoroughly . This is really important!

Toss with oil and spices. Arrange on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, bake for 15 minutes, flip, and bake for another 10- 15 minutes.

Serve 'em up!. Making Sweet Potato Fries has never been so easy!

Pro Tips for Sweet Potato Fry Perfection

Don't skip the soaking. Like, seriously, don't. Dry those fries like your life depends on it. High heat is key.

And parchment paper? Your new best friend!. You can also try this in the air fryer sweet potato fries !

Variations: Spice It Up!

Want to get a little wild? Add cayenne pepper or chili powder for a kick. Try dried herbs like rosemary or thyme too!. Honestly there are a variety of spice combinations.

Right, get cooking! Soon you will be enjoying homemade sweet potato fries . You'll ditch those sad shop bought fries in a heartbeat!

**Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Homemade Sweet Potato Fries**

Right, so you want the best homemade sweet potato fries ever? Then listen up. Getting the right ingredients and having the right gear is half the battle.

No soggy fries allowed here, alright?

Main Players: It's All About the Sweet Potatoes

2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 ½ pounds / 680g ). Peeled and cut into ½-inch / 1.25cm thick fries.
2 tablespoons olive oil ( 30ml )
1 tablespoon cornstarch ( 15ml )
1 teaspoon paprika ( 5ml )
½ teaspoon garlic powder ( 2.5ml )
½ teaspoon onion powder ( 2.5ml )
½ teaspoon salt ( 2.5ml ), or to taste.
¼ teaspoon black pepper ( 1.25ml ), or to taste.

For the sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm. Avoid any with soft spots. I once tried making crispy sweet potato fries with sweet potatoes that were past their prime, big mistake.

They were stringy and didn't crisp up right. Healthy fries start with healthy spuds!

Sweet Potato Fries Seasoning: Flavour Pow Wow

Honestly, the sweet potato fries seasoning is where you can really get creative!

Paprika gives a lovely smoky note. Garlic and onion powder? Essential. I always add a pinch of cayenne for a bit of a kick.

But feel free to switch things up. A bit of cinnamon? A pinch of cumin? Go wild. I once tried with smoked salt and maple syrup.

.. divine.

Don't forget a flavour enhancer like msg.

Quick sub? If you don't have onion powder, a pinch of asafoetida can work! If you don't have garlic powder, a bit of fresh garlic minced REALLY finely is a good sub

Equipment You Need: Keep it Simple

Large bowl
Baking sheet
Parchment paper (trust me on this)
Sharp knife (or a mandoline if you're feeling fancy).

Parchment paper is non-negotiable. It stops the easy sweet potato fries recipe from sticking. No one wants burnt fries glued to the tray. No one.

A sharp knife is essential for cutting the sweet potatoes evenly. Even fries cook evenly. A mandoline makes things faster, but be careful! I nearly lost a finger the first time I used one!

The Quest for Crispy Sweet Potato Fries : My Holy Grail Recipe

Right, let's be honest. We've all been there. We crave homemade sweet potato fries , promising ourselves a healthy and delicious treat.

But what do we get? A soggy mess! Honestly, until recently, my attempts at making sweet potato fries were disastrous.

I think I even cried once.

I mean, I'm only joking. But seriously, who wants soggy fries? So, I've cracked the code. I’m sharing my top-secret (well, not that secret) method for achieving crispy sweet potato fries every single time.

Seriously, this is my best sweet potato fries recipe. It's so easy, even my clumsy brother can manage it!

Prep Like a Pro: Sweet Potato Fry Boot Camp

Essential mise en place: Peel and chop 2 large sweet potatoes into ½-inch / 1.25cm thick fry shapes. It doesn't have to be perfect. No one's judging.
Time saving tip: Use a mandoline if you're feeling fancy (and brave!). It makes cutting the fries uniform and saves time.
Safety reminder: Watch your fingers! That mandoline is sharp as a tack.
Soaking. This is the most important part. I like to think this as a 2 hours sweet potato fry boot camp!

step-by-step to Fry Perfection

Soak those bad boys. Place the sweet potato fries in a large bowl. Cover them with cold water. Soak for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours ). This removes excess starch, the enemy of crispiness.
Preheat that oven! To 400° F ( 200° C) . Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This saves on the washing up, you know?
Dry, dry, dry! Drain the fries very well. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Honestly, the drier, the better.
Oil and spice time! In the same bowl, toss the dried sweet potato fries with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Get your hands in there to ensure even coating.
Spread the love! Spread the fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Don't overcrowd!
Bake until golden. Bake for 15 minutes , then flip the fries and bake for another 10- 15 minutes , or until golden brown and crispy.

Ace Those Homemade Sweet Potato Fries : Pro Tips

make-ahead? : Soaking can be done ahead. Just store the fries in water in the fridge.
Cornstarch is your friend. It helps create that crispy exterior. Arrowroot starch also does the trick if you're after a substitute.
Common mistake to avoid: Overcrowding the baking sheet! It steams the fries, not crisps them. Bake in batches if you have to.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries ? You absolutely can do them in the air fryer at 400° F ( 200° C) for 10- 15 minutes . Now dig in to your healthy fries with whatever dipping sauce you desire!

Recipe Notes For Your Epic Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

Alright, so you're about to embark on your homemade sweet potato fries journey? Ace! Here are some extra bits and bobs to make sure your fries are absolutely banging.

Making sweet potato fries doesn't have to be tricky. Promise.

Serving Those Gorgeous Fries

Listen, presentation matters, yeah? Plating up your crispy sweet potato fries can elevate the whole experience. Think a rustic wooden board piled high, or individual baskets for a pub-grub vibe.

Fancy a dip? Vegan sweet potato fries would be lovely with some homemade aioli. For sides, honestly, anything goes! Burgers are a classic. Coleslaw? Mint. Salad? Spot on.

Storage Secrets

So, you've managed not to scoff all the easy sweet potato fries recipe batch in one sitting? Fair play. If you have any left over, here's the gen.

Refrigeration: Pop them in an airtight container and they'll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheating: Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy . Microwaving will make them sad and soggy. Don't do it.

Get Creative! Variations on Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

Life's too short for boring food, innit?

Dietary Swaps: Want healthy fries ? Use less oil. Easy peasy.

Seasonal Switcheroo: In autumn, a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg adds a lovely warmth. Seriously, sweet potato fries seasoning can be tweaked to your heart's content.

Nutrition Nuggets: Why These Fries Rock

Okay, let's be real. These are still fries. But sweet potatoes do have some good stuff going on.

They're packed with Vitamin A. It is good for your eyes. Each serving of baked sweet potato fries recipe contains approximately 250 calories.

Ultimately you are in control of your ingredients, and you can make these air fryer sweet potato fries or best sweet potato fries even healthier with a little care.

So go on, give it a go! And remember, even if they don't turn out perfect the first time, they'll still taste amazing.

After all, it's about having fun in the kitchen and making something delicious. Honestly, making sweet potato fries yourself is so rewarding.

Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my homemade sweet potato fries always soggy? What am I doing wrong?

Soggy fries are a common woe! The two biggest culprits are excess starch and moisture. Make sure you're soaking your cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) to draw out that starch. Then, and this is crucial, dry them really well with paper towels before tossing with oil and spices.

Think of it like giving them a good towel down after a swim!

Can I make crispy homemade sweet potato fries in the air fryer instead of baking them?

Absolutely! Air frying is a fantastic way to get super crispy sweet potato fries. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on them; air fryers can vary, so you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly.

It's almost as easy as popping down to the chippy!

What are some good dipping sauces to serve with homemade sweet potato fries?

Sweet potato fries are wonderfully versatile, so you've got loads of options! A classic is mayonnaise mixed with sriracha for a spicy kick (a squeeze of lime juice elevates this!). Or, try a creamy avocado dip, honey mustard, or even a dollop of plain Greek yogurt seasoned with herbs.

Experiment and find your perfect match - it's like finding the right gravy for your Sunday roast!

How can I store leftover homemade sweet potato fries and reheat them so they're not soggy?

Let's be honest, leftover fries are a rare sight! But if you do have some, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheating can be tricky, but avoid the microwave at all costs.

The best way to revive them is to spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes, or toss them in a hot air fryer for a couple of minutes until crispy. They won't be quite as good as fresh, but miles better than a soggy mess!

Can I freeze homemade sweet potato fries before or after baking them?

Freezing before baking is a great option for meal prep! Prepare the fries up to the point of baking, then spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

While freezing after baking is possible, they will lose some crispness. If freezing baked fries, reheat them in the oven or air fryer for best results, just be aware the texture might be slightly softer.

Besides paprika, what other spices can I use to flavor my homemade sweet potato fries?

Get creative! A little smoked paprika can add a lovely depth of flavor. Consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, or experiment with dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano for a more savory profile.

Garlic powder and onion powder are classic additions, and a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. Think of your spice rack as your artist's palette!