Perfect Oven Sweet Potato Fries

I have perfected the art of the sweet potato fry. I've made them so many times that I have a very set formula for making them. I don't enjoy frying things, so I do mine in the oven. They're easy and tasty and go well with Cuban, Mexican and Indian food. :D

They're also good for holiday dinners. I just can't get on the "let's dump half a bag of brown sugar and some marshmallows into a pan with some sweet potatoes and maple syrup!" bandwagon. Sweet potatoes are sweet enough as is!

Step 1: Supplies!

You will need:

• one large sweet potato
• sea salt (coarse)
• freshly ground black pepper, chunky
• good quality olive oil
• a peeler (optional)
• a sharp chef's knife
• a cutting board
• a large baking sheet (not pictured)

This recipe takes about a half hour to make, and one large sweet potato can serve 2-3 people if it's a side. Or sometimes I'll eat a whole one by myself if I've had nothing else to eat that day.

Comments

[dconing]

This is the first time I've ever eaten sweet potatoes (yes, I'm a "northerner"). Thanks for the recipe. The fries did come out black on the sides touching the pan. I used aluminum foil and cooked the 15 & 10 minutes, do you think the foil was the problem? (Perhaps the pan was too close to the heating element?) Also, I used garlic pepper spice which was tastee...

[farticus]

We preheat the potato in the microwave while the convection oven is preheating to get a super crunchy surface and a soft well cooked inside.

[tnorm5828]

I've been doing these a similar way though I've opted normally for just regular vegetable or canola oil. And I agree... spicy is the right way to go. I add a bit of sugar (and sometimes cinnamon) to just give it a bit more sweet taste too.

[Denon]

Sometimes I use left over packet seasoning like fajita mix or so juicy spice mix or smoked paprika, I bung them in a bag, add the oil, toss around then add the seasoning.

[slytface]

awesome! I had some yams and I used them with this recipe. HMMM HMMM good.

[Noir Moon]

These sound delicious and will have them tomorrow for dinner. :) And hanks for the enjoyable tutorial!

[adesai7]

great recipe

[HollyMann]

Your food instructables are killing me...they look SOOO good!! My oven is broken right now and I really want to make these!!!

[handprints]

I am going to do this today! you make it sound so easy!!!! I hope I don't cut myself. I am not good with sharp objects. :)

[SonikJ]

I like mine roasted with chorizo and onion for extra flavour

[eoverton]

I've been looking for something to soak up my chipotle and garlic aioli sauces. Score!

[flores8609]

Wow, I was not confident, but decided to try the recipe anyway. Absolutely great and easy.

[ccopp]

Yummo, simple to do and delishus...bravo!! And thanks. I tried sprinkling some garlic salt and cayenne pepper on mine....kinda worked

[eyesee]

Watching the drool

[violetvee]

These came out suberp--I didn't miss the "fried" part in the least. I must say, though, that I wish they'd come with a disclaimer for those with particularly sensitive smoke alarms! I live in a 3-unit house, and first the alarm in my apartment started going off, and then the one in the hallway outside my apartment started going off, so I was running like a madwoman between alarms trying to fan away the smoke. I didn't burn the fries, but I guess the high sugar content produces a lot of smoke when it comes into contact with the hot metal. I am pretty sure I now have 25% less hearing. But, 20 minutes later when I finally was able to disable both alarms and was sufficiently deaf, I was able to enjoy these wonderfully tasty fries with butter and some sacred basil honey given to me by a friend. I will set up a fan to blow smoke out the window next time!

[doodlecraft]

Just made these! So delicious! Thanks for sharing your tried and true recipe...I only wish I had more! :)

[suzycue]

Just made these to go along with our turkey burgers. Very Nice! No need for brown sugar! They are crispy and sweet without any sugar. Also, I did not have any sea salt. I just sprinkled a little regular salt and some pepper, and used about 1/4 cup of olive oil. But next time, I'll cut down on the olive oil! They really only need a bit of brush-on oil. I used one huge sweet potato for 2 people--more than enough! I left the skins on. They were very tasty and crisp, and probably a lot healthier than white potato french fries or mashed potatoes. No sauces or ketchup etc, necessary!!

[Drinky]

Fun read and great instructions! I'm excited to be making these in just a few moments... Love your writing style; the "apply a ton of freshly ground black pepper" made me smile, then you mention how you eyeball things... which are both exactly how I cook, so it makes total sense!

[sickaroll]

SWMBO told me to do some sweet potato chips (fries, but outside the US) to go with the steak she's bringing home, and I'm banging them in the oven now, hope you've got it spot on, can't wait!

[Jayefuu]

Jessy, I've known about this Instructable for coming on 2 years now. Yet I've never tried it. Tonight's the night!

*turns oven on* I'll let you know how it goes.

[ianharperuk]

sweet potato fries are quite new to us in the UK but when ever im in Canada or the US...i love them so im about to try this as i have had no luck frying them

[veryken]

Wow I'm so glad this instructable floated to the top. I love sweet potato "fries" and also prefer the oven to the fryer. My mouth is watering already at this early hour!

[slylee]

Being from the south, naturally i love sweet potato fries. they are so vastly superior to regular fries! Nice Ible ;)

[garnishrecipes]

Hey Jessy, do you know if this method works with taro? We just had baked taro fries on vacation with chipotle mayo.

Also, this looks delicious.

[jessyratfink]

I love taro but I can't say I've ever cooked it like this!

I bet it would work, but you might need to do them for a little longer and flip them more often because they're so much more dense. :)

[garnishrecipes]

Thanks Jessy!

[Andrei_7]

hmmm...very tasty in the picture... :) yamii yamii :)

[0SubZero7]

thought I would try making some for dinner before the wife gets home from work for tea, just to test them!!! One word for recipe - PERFECT one word for the finished product- YUMMY. Looks like the me and the wife will be having these with a nice fillet steak, fried onions, breakfast mushroom and tomatoes.

[jessyratfink]

aww, thank you!

And that dinner sounds fabulous! :D

[rrkrose]

Those are beautiful. I love sweet potato fries so much and can't wait to try this recipe.

[Kimberlee55]

Making these right now! Thankyou for your step by step instructions. I only cut my finger once! :) Looking forward to the fruits of my labor.....thanks to you!

[planetary]

Yummy! Crispy outside and mushy inside. Delish! Goes really well with leftover tzatziki sauce from last night. Thanks for great recipe!

[Bot1398]

Look At That ViEw cOuNT man!!!!! AmAzInG

[Bicycleman]

I like using a ziploc bag for this step, espescially if I'm using many herbs or spices. Just mix the seasonnings in the bag, add oil, add potatoes, close and shake, shake, shake! This whole recipe also works great for butternut squashes.

[rainbowlory]

i just love zippy bags for everything mess goes in the trash!!!

[shumaD]

and in the landfill!

[Cheroo]

Nice detail and humor in your instructions! I'm going to try this tonight :) I've always done my "French Fries" this way, but love the idea of trying it with sweet potatoes!

[Julesizn]

Thank you, Jessyratfink, for this excellent recipe!! I made the fries for my husband on Super Bowl Sunday and we both loved them! This was my first time to bake them successfully. I SO appreciate your detailed instructions. My failed attempts included soggy, burnt, and odd-shaped fries...all of which you addressed and explained why it was important to follow your advice. I will make them more often now. They were sweet, crispy, and soooo yummy! I love serving a dish that everyone says "mmm" when I set it on the table. Thanks again.

[jessyratfink]

Yay! I'm so happy you guys liked them. :D

[madamcharlene]

And BTW...I never put anything on them either. Why mess with success...and added unnecessary calories. These are exceptional, just "as is." And, Jessy, do you think they are able to get "browned" because you're not using aluminum foil (which I usually do).