These crispy baked sweet potato fries are perfectly seasoned, slightly sweet, and oven-roasted until golden on the outside and tender inside—an easy, budget-friendly side dish for any meal.
You’ll find this recipe in the Side Dishes for Two section of your Recipe List.
Time
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Equipment
- Baking sheet – helps fries cook evenly and crisp up
- Sharp knife – for clean, even cuts (important for even cooking)
- Mixing bowl – to coat fries evenly with oil and seasoning
Other useful tools:
Cutting board, parchment paper, potato peeler
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy edges without frying
- Simple pantry seasoning
- Budget-friendly side dish
- Pairs with almost anything
- Easy to scale up or down
Ingredients for Sweet Potato Fries
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
Ingredient Notes
- Sweet potato: Try to cut evenly for best texture
- Oil: Vegetable oil works well, but olive oil can be used
- Paprika: Adds color and mild smoky flavor (optional but recommended)
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries
- Preheat oven to 425°F and place rack in upper third. Line a baking sheet if desired.
- Peel the sweet potato and cut into evenly sized fries.
- Place fries in a bowl with oil and toss to coat.
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika; toss again.
- Spread fries in a single layer (do not overcrowd).
- Bake 18–24 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and tender.
- Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan or they’ll steam instead of crisp
- Spread fries out with space between each piece—this is the #1 reason they don’t crisp!
- Flip halfway for even browning
- Cut fries evenly for consistent cooking
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture
Budget Tips / Cost Breakdown
- Sweet potato is one of the cheapest, most filling sides
- Uses basic pantry spices you likely already have
- Approx cost: $1.00–$1.50 for 2 servings
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren’t my fries crispy?
Overcrowding the pan or too much moisture is usually the cause.
Do I need to soak sweet potatoes first?
Not necessary, but drying them well helps crisping.
Can I use the air fryer?
Yes—cook at 380°F for about 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway.
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