Ingredients and Equipment Needed
To create perfectly crispy sweet potato fries, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch thick sticks
- Olive oil or melted coconut oil
- Cornstarch
- Sea salt
- Ground pepper
- Paprika (optional for added flavor)
- Garlic powder (optional for added flavor)
In addition to the ingredients, you’ll also need the following equipment:
- A sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for cutting the sweet potatoes
- A large mixing bowl for tossing the fries with oil and seasonings
- A baking sheet to spread out the fries for cooking
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking
- A cooling rack (optional, but recommended for extra crispiness)
Having the right ingredients and equipment on hand will set you up for success in creating delicious, crispy sweet potato fries.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the sweet potato fries. While the oven is heating, take the peeled and cut sweet potatoes and soak them in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes to an hour. This step is crucial as it helps to remove excess starch, which can prevent the fries from becoming crispy.
Once the sweet potatoes have soaked, drain them and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. The drier the potatoes, the better they will crisp up in the oven. Transfer the dried sweet potato sticks to a large mixing bowl.
Add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or melted coconut oil to the bowl with the sweet potatoes. Toss them until they are evenly coated. In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch, sea salt, ground pepper, paprika, and garlic powder if you’re using them. Sprinkle this mixture over the sweet potatoes and toss again until they are all evenly coated with the seasoning mix.
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. Spread the seasoned sweet potato fries out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure they are not touching each other; overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than crisping. You may need to use two baking sheets or cook in batches depending on how many fries you are making.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, take the baking sheet out of the oven and flip each fry over to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Return them to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown on the edges.
If you have a cooling rack, transfer the baked fries to the rack immediately after taking them out of the oven. This allows air to circulate around the fries and keeps them from steaming and getting soggy on the baking sheet. If you don’t have a cooling rack, you can leave them on the baking sheet but be sure to remove them from the oven so they don’t continue cooking from the residual heat.
Let the sweet potato fries cool for a few minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed fresh and hot, with your favorite dipping sauce or simply on their own.
Tips for Perfectly Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
To achieve the ultimate crispiness for your sweet potato fries, consider these additional tips:
- Don’t skip the soaking: Soaking the cut sweet potatoes in cold water is a step you shouldn’t ignore. It helps to draw out excess starch, which can trap moisture and prevent the fries from crisping up during baking.
- Dry thoroughly: After soaking, be sure to dry the sweet potatoes completely. Any remaining moisture on the surface can steam the potatoes in the oven, resulting in soggy fries.
- Use cornstarch: A light dusting of cornstarch on the fries before baking can create a crispier exterior. Be careful not to use too much, as this can lead to a powdery texture.
- High heat is key: Baking at a high temperature helps to caramelize the outside of the sweet potatoes quickly, giving them a nice crunch. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before adding the fries.
- Space them out: Overcrowding the pan can cause the fries to steam instead of crisp. Leave plenty of space between each fry on the baking sheet, and use multiple sheets if necessary.
- Flip halfway through: Turning the fries halfway through the baking time ensures that all sides have a chance to get crispy.
- Consider a wire rack: If you have one, baking the fries on a wire rack set over a baking sheet can improve air circulation, which helps to crisp up all sides evenly.
- Avoid turning off the oven early: Even if the fries look done, let them finish cooking for the full recommended time. They continue to crisp as they cool after being removed from the oven.
- Serve immediately: Sweet potato fries are crispiest right out of the oven. If you need to keep them warm, try placing them in a low-temperature oven until ready to serve.
Remember that every oven is different, and you may need to adjust cooking times slightly. Keep an eye on your fries, especially towards the end of baking, to prevent burning. With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to making perfectly crispy sweet potato fries that are sure to impress!