Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

This Sweet Potato Fries recipe is a savory and slightly sweet recipe, which is made with chili powder and a simple spicy dipping sauce. It’s the perfect side dish or snack, ready in about 30 minutes.

Jump to Recipe

Sweet Potato Fries Ingredients

A simple mix for flavorful baked fries and a zesty dipping sauce.

For the Sweet Potato Fries:

6 whole Sweet Potatoes, peeled
1 stick (1/2 cup) Salted Butter
2 cloves Garlic, pressed or minced
1 tsp. Seasoned Salt (or plain salt)
1 tsp. Chili Powder
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
Extra salt, for sprinkling

For the Dipping Sauce:

1/2 cup Mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. Ketchup OR Sriracha (or more, to taste!)

How To Make Sweet Potato Fries

A step-by-step guide to delicious, oven-baked fries.

Prep the Oven and Potatoes: Preheat the oven to a hot 450°F. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thin, uniform sticks, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick.
Make the Seasoned Butter: In a small saucepan or a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Skim off any white foam from the top. Stir in the pressed garlic, seasoned salt, chili powder, and black pepper.
Coat the Fries: Place the sweet potato sticks in a large bowl. Pour the seasoned butter mixture over them and toss thoroughly to ensure all the fries are evenly coated.
Bake the Fries: Spread the coated fries in a single, even layer on two large baking sheets. Be sure not to overcrowd the pans. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, shaking the pans halfway through, until the fries are sizzling and the edges are starting to brown.
Rest and Season: Remove the fries from the oven and let them sit on the hot pans for 5 minutes. This helps them firm up. Sprinkle generously with extra salt while they are still hot.
Make the Dipping Sauce and Serve: While the fries rest, whisk together the mayonnaise and ketchup (for a classic fry sauce) or Sriracha (for a spicy mayo). Serve the hot sweet potato fries immediately with the dipping sauce.

Recipe Tips

For the best-tasting, perfectly cooked sweet potato fries.

How to get the fries to cook evenly? The most important step is to cut the sweet potato sticks into a uniform size. This ensures that they all cook at the same rate. Spreading them in a single layer on the baking sheets without overcrowding is also crucial; overcrowding will cause them to steam and become soggy instead of roasting.
Can I make these in an air fryer? Yes, sweet potato fries are fantastic in an air fryer! Toss them in the seasoned butter as directed, then cook them in the air fryer basket at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket a few times, until they are golden and crisp. You will need to work in batches.
How do I get my baked sweet potato fries crispy? It’s important to note that baked sweet potato fries will not get as hard and crispy as deep-fried regular potato fries. However, a very hot oven (450°F), not overcrowding the pan, and letting them rest on the hot pan after baking will give you the best possible texture—tender on the inside with a firm, slightly crisped exterior.
What does “skim off the foam” from the butter mean? This is a quick way to make clarified butter. By melting the butter and skimming off the milk solids (the white foam), you are left with pure butterfat, which has a higher smoke point and helps the fries roast without the butter burning.

What To Serve With Sweet Potato Fries

The perfect main dishes to pair with this classic side.

Sweet potato fries are a versatile side dish that goes wonderfully with:

Juicy hamburgers or cheeseburgers
BBQ pulled pork or chicken sandwiches
Grilled chicken or fish
As a satisfying snack all on their own with the dipping sauce

How To Store Sweet Potato Fries

Fries are always best served fresh.

Best Eaten Fresh: Baked sweet potato fries lose their optimal texture quickly and are best enjoyed hot and fresh from the oven.
Reheat: If you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven or in an air fryer for 5-7 minutes to help them crisp up again.

Sweet Potato Fries Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per serving.

Calories: 280 kcal
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 19 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use a different seasoning blend?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the seasonings. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or a little cayenne pepper for more heat would all be delicious additions to the butter mixture.

Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?

No, it’s a matter of preference. You can leave the skins on for extra texture and nutrients. Just be sure to scrub them very well before cutting them into fries.

What is the best dipping sauce for sweet potato fries?

The simple mayo-ketchup or Sriracha-mayo in the recipe is a classic. They also pair wonderfully with a chipotle aioli, a honey-mustard dip, or a cool, creamy ranch dressing.

Try More Recipes: