Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

• 5sweet potatoes
• 3 tbspcornflour
• to tastesalt
• 1/4 tspgarlic powder
• 1/4 tsppaprika
• as neededolive oil

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the oven

   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas 6).

2. 2

   Cut and soak

   Wash and peel the 5 sweet potatoes, cut them into chip-sized strips and soak in water for 10–30 minutes. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

3. 3

   Coat with seasoning

   Mix the cornflour, salt, garlic powder and paprika in a bowl. Add the sweet potato strips and toss until evenly coated.

4. 4

   Add the oil

   Pour in enough olive oil to coat the fries, then toss and mix again.

5. 5

   Bake the fries

   Spread the coated fries on a non-stick baking tray and bake for 10–15 minutes. Check them frequently so they cook through without burning.

6. 6

   Serve alongside

   Serve the fries as a side with your chosen main dish.

What are sweet potato fries?

Sweet potato fries are cut into chip-like batons and cooked until tender inside with browned edges. They are a familiar American-style side, often served with burgers or other mains.

This version uses a short soak and a cornflour coating to help the surface dry and crisp in the oven. Garlic powder and paprika add gentle savoury flavour without taking over the sweet potato.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 219 calories, 3g protein, 51g carbs, 0g fat.

The supplied nutrition per serving lists 50.9 g of carbohydrate, mainly from the sweet potatoes, and 3.4 g of protein; the olive oil contributes fat. Pair a serving with a protein-rich main and vegetables to balance the plate.

Why soak the potatoes?

The soak gives the cut potatoes time in water before they are coated. The method calls for 10–30 minutes; pat the batons thoroughly dry afterwards so the coating can cling.

Getting an even coating

Dry potatoes: pat the batons with a paper towel before adding them to the seasoned cornflour.

Seasoning: toss until the surfaces are covered, then add just enough olive oil to coat and toss again. This order helps the dry mixture adhere before the oil goes in.

Watch the bake

The recipe gives a baking time of 10–15 minutes at 200°C. Check the fries frequently, as the method does not specify a tray position or turning time.

Look for fries that are cooked through and have browned edges, taking care not to let them burn. The cut size affects how quickly they cook, so use doneness rather than the clock alone.

Serving ideas

Serve these fries with chicken, burgers or another favourite main. Their sweet, lightly spiced coating also works alongside a simple salad or vegetables for a more rounded plate.

Seasoning and texture

Paprika and garlic powder season the coating, while salt is added to taste. Keep the batons similar in size so they cook at a more even pace.

Recipe notes & tips

• Cut the sweet potatoes into similarly sized batons for more even cooking.
• Dry the soaked potatoes well before tossing them with the cornflour mixture.
• Add olive oil gradually, using only enough to coat the fries.
• Check the tray frequently during the 10–15-minute bake.
• Serve soon after baking for the best texture.

Variations

• Add chilli: mix a pinch of chilli powder into the cornflour seasoning.
• Change the spice: swap the paprika for smoked paprika for a deeper flavour.
• Use black pepper: add a little freshly ground pepper with the salt.
• Add herbs: sprinkle chopped parsley over the fries just before serving.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Wet batons: excess water can make the coating patchy, so pat the potatoes dry before mixing.
• Uneven cuts: different sizes cook at different rates, so aim for similarly sized strips.
• Too much oil: a heavy coating can weigh down the fries; add only enough to coat them.
• Skipping checks: the fries can burn if left unattended, so inspect them frequently during baking.
• Crowded tray: fries piled together may not cook evenly; spread them out across the non-stick tray.

How to store

Refrigerate leftover fries in a sealed container and use within 3 days. Reheat in the oven until hot; they may be softer than when freshly baked.

Frequently asked questions