Crispy Sweet Potato Fries with Smoked Paprika
Turn those wilting sweet potatoes into flavourful, crispy fries perfect for a quick meal or side dish.
Total time
45 min
15 prep + 30 cook
Serves
4
Difficulty
easy
Cuisine
British
Per serving
250 kcal
P: 3g · C: 45g · F: 7g
That sweet potato at the bottom of the veg rack is looking a bit sad, isn't it? Don't let it go to waste; these simple oven-baked fries are a brilliant way to use it up while it's still perfectly good. They're much more interesting than plain chips and go with almost anything. This is my go-to when I've got a couple of sad-looking root veg. Serve them with burgers, a big salad, or just a dollop of sour cream and chives for a simple lunch.
Why this works
The trick to crispy oven fries is getting as much moisture out of the potato as possible before baking. Rinsing the cut fries removes excess surface starch, which can make them stick together. Drying them thoroughly with a tea towel or kitchen paper means they'll roast rather than steam in the oven, leading to a crispier exterior.
Ingredients
- 800gSweet potatoesabout 2 medium
- 2 tbspOlive oil
- 1 tspSmoked paprika
- 1/2 tspGarlic powder
- 1 tspSalt
- 1/4 tspBlack pepper
Method
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6). Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
- 2
Peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them in half lengthways. Slice each half into thick fries, about 1cm (1/3 inch) thick.
- 3
Put the cut fries into a large bowl and cover with cold water. Swirl them around for a minute, then drain.
- 4
Rinse the fries under the tap again. Drain well and then spread them out on a clean tea towel or kitchen paper. Pat them thoroughly dry. This is important for crispiness.
- 5
Return the dried fries to the large bowl. Add the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- 6
Toss everything together until the fries are evenly coated. You can use your hands for this.
- 7
Arrange the seasoned fries in a single layer on the prepared baking tray. Make sure they aren't touching too much; cook in batches if necessary.
- 8
Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until golden brown and tender inside, with crispy edges.
Tips
- ·For extra crispy fries, you can try a double bake: roast for 20 minutes, then increase the oven temperature to 220°C (200°C fan/Gas Mark 7) for the final 10 minutes.
- ·If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika or even a pinch of chilli powder works well.
- ·Don't overcrowd the pan; this is key to achieving crispiness rather than steamed fries.
Variations
- →For a spicy kick, add 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper along with the paprika.
- →Toss with a tablespoon of nutritional yeast before baking for a cheesy, umami flavour (great for a vegan option).
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven or air fryer for best results.
