Craving crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries? You’ve come to the right place! I’m sharing a few of my tips and tricks so you too can have perfectly crispy, oven-baked sweet potato fries. Serves 4.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Unfortunately yet fortunately I’m the only one who likes sweet potato fries in my family. I know right? What’s not to love? They’re slightly sweet, full of vitamins and nutritious goodness and so versatile! Well, so sad for them, but yay because more for me!

Making crispy baked sweet potato fries can be a challenge.

I’ve attempted to make crispy sweet potato fries so.many.times only to have them turn out to be soggy and limp as the result. That was until about 10 years ago, when I started internet sleuthing and took notes on how to get crispy sweet potato fries. So I’ve combined them with a few of my own tricks and compiled a list for you.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

HOW TO GET CRISPY FRENCH FRIES:
  • Use medium-sized potatoes that similar in shape. Nothing huge, long or overly big in circumference. You want shorter and thinner fries.
  • Soak your uncooked potatoes/fries in cold water. (more on that below)
  • Toss in seasoned cornstarch (or arrowroot) before baking. (again, more on that below)
  • Place your pan in the oven while your oven is preheating. This gets the pan hot and (with the help of oil) helps keep the fries from sticking.
  • Serve immediately. Baked fries will lose some of their crispiness as they sit – they’re still delicious tho!

ingredients for Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

T0 Make These Baked Sweet Potato Fries You Will Need:

  • sweet potatoesMedium-ish and similar in size and shape.
  • cornstarchAids in crisping the fries when baking.
  • garlic powderAdds flavor that’s sweeter yet milder than fresh garlic.
  • paprikaAdds color and subtle flavor.
  • onion powderLends additional bold oniony flavor.
  • kosher saltEnhances the flavors of the fries.
  • freshly ground black pepperAdds some subtle bite and flavor.
  • avocado oil spray (or extra light olive oil spray)- For spraying your preheated pan. Keeps the fries from sticking.
  • avocado oil (or extra light olive oil) – Helps to keep the seasoned cornstarch to stick, while also keeping the fries from sticking to the pan. You will need both the oil and nonstick spray.
Feel free to play with the spices! Try adding some chipotle powder or cayenne for a spicy kick!

medium sized sweet potates

Start by scrubbing 2 to three medium sweet potatoes that are similar in size and shape. Avoid huge, fat sweet potatoes.

slice into fries

Peel and trim the ends off of the sweet potatoes. Cut into flat planks and then slice those into 1/4-inch(ish) sticks or fries.

soak in water

Soak the fries in a bowl filled with cold water for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. If soaking for longer than 2 hours, I personally would refrigerate.

Why Is It Important To Soak Potatoes In Water?

Believe it or not, soaking in water will remove the starch from the potato/fries. This in turn will then help the fries crisp up in the oven. I’ve read that it’s the starch in the potatoes that hangs onto moisture/water and is why sweet potatoes (or any potato really) are soggy when baked! I also notice my fries don’t burn as easily when I soak them, due to having less starch I presume. When you go to drain the potatoes/fries you will see that the water is cloudy and starchy looking.

ingredients for seasoning in bowl

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, measure and add 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot), 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

Why Toss Potatoes In Cornstarch?

Using cornstarch (or arrowroot) is optional. However it does add a light coating to the fries and helps them brown and crisp up in the oven.

whisked seasoning

Stir this together until thoroughly combined. Set off to the side.

rinse and drain sweet potato after soaking.

Place an empty, rimmed (half sheet pan) metal baking sheet in the oven and then preheat your oven (with the pan) to 425°

Meanwhile, drain the sweet potato fries into a colander and rinse well under water.

dry thoroughly

Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and towel-dry thoroughly.

add to a bowl and drizzle with avocado oil.

While they were in the colander, I quickly wash and towel dry the bowl they were soaking in. Then I threw them back into the clean bowl and added 2 tablespoons avocado oil.

toss well to coat.

Toss to coat evenly.

add seasoning

Add the seasoned cornstarch.

toss again to coat.

Again, toss until evenly coated.

arrange in an even layer on hot/preheated rimmed baking sheet.

Once the oven has preheated, use oven mitts to remove the hot pan and place on a heat safe surface. Generously spray the preheated/hot pan with avocado oil. Then add the sweet potato fries and spread in an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes.

turn after 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, remove the pan and use tongs to carefully turn each fry. If they happen to stick just give it a minute and come back to that one. Once given a chance to cool a little, they should unstick themselves.

crispy sweet potato fries

Rotate the pan and continue to bake for 5 minute increments until the fries are crispy – or about 10 to 15 minutes total.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Once golden, taste and add more salt if desired, otherwise serve immediately. Baked fries will always lose some of their crispiness as they sit.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. I like ketchupfry sauce and sometimes maple syrup 🤭.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FRENCH FRY AND POTATO WEDGE RECIPES!

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Enjoy! And if you give this Baked Sweet Potato Recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
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Yield: 4 servings

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Craving crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries? You've come to the right place! I'm sharing a few of my tips and tricks so you too can have perfectly crispy, oven-baked sweet potato fries.
Serves 4 or about 20 fries each.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch, or arrowroot
  • teaspoons kosher salt, plus more if desired
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil, or extra light olive oil
  • avocado oil nonstick spray, or extra light olive oil spray

Instructions 

  • Start by scrubbing 2 medium sweet potatoes that are similar in size and shape. Peel and trim the ends off of the sweet potatoes. Cut into flat 1/4-inch planks and then slice those into 1/4-inch(ish) sticks or fries.
  • Soak the fries in a bowl filled with cold water for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. If soaking for longer than 2 hours, I personally would refrigerate.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, measure and add the cornstarch, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and freshly ground black pepper. Stir this together until thoroughly combined. Set off to the side.
  • Place a empty, rimmed metal baking (half) sheet in the oven and then preheat your oven (with the pan) to 425°
  • Meanwhile, drain the sweet potato fries into a colander and rinse well under water. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and towel-dry thoroughly.
  • Place the sweet potatoes into the bowl (I washed the one they were soaking in while they were in the colander) and toss in the avocado oil. Add the seasoned cornstarch and toss well to coat evenly.
  • Once the oven has preheated, use oven mitts to remove the hot pan and place on a heatproof surface. Generously spray the preheated/hot pan with avocado oil. Then add the sweet potato fries in an even layer.
    Bake for 15 minutes.
  • After 15 minutes, remove the pan and use tongs to carefully turn each fry. If they happen to stick just give it a minute and come back to that one. Once given a chance to cool a little, they should unstick themselves.
  • Rotate the pan and continue to bake for 5-10 minute increments until the fries are crispy – or about 10 to 15 minutes more.
  • Once golden and crispy, taste and add more salt if desired. Baked fries will always lose some of their crispiness as they sit, so it's always best to serve immediately.

Notes

Feel free to play with the spices. Add cayenne or chipotle for some kick, or add ground cumin or cinnamon for earthy depth.
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Serving: 20fries (about), Calories: 176kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 935mg, Potassium: 390mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 16051IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg