Sweet potatoes, right? They’re like little nuggets of sunshine in vegetable form—especially when transformed into crispy, garlicky, parmesan-coated fries. Just the thought of their golden edges and rich aroma makes my taste buds do a little happy dance. I remember the first time I made these, during a cozy weekend when the air was crisp and everything just felt right.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch thick matchsticks or your preferred size. Place them in a large bowl and mix with vegetable oil, sea salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until they are thoroughly coated.
- Arrange the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If necessary, use a second baking sheet to prevent overcrowding.
- Bake the sweet potato fries for 15-20 minutes, flipping them once or twice during the cooking process to ensure even cooking. Remove them once the edges start to brown and the fries are crisping.
- While still hot, toss the fries with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Add extra salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce, such as ketchup. Enjoy this healthier alternative to traditional fries.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes (approximately 2 medium-sized), peeled if preferred
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or another high-heat oil)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- (optional) 1/4 cup finely-chopped fresh parsley
FAQ
- Can I leave the skin on the sweet potatoes when making these fries?
- Yes, you can choose to either peel the sweet potatoes or leave the skin on. It’s entirely up to your personal preference.
- What is the best thickness for sweet potato fries to ensure even cooking?
- Cutting the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch thick matchsticks is recommended for achieving a perfect balance of crispy exteriors and soft interiors. However, you can experiment with the thickness to suit your taste.
- What type of oil is ideal for baking these sweet potato fries?
- You can use vegetable oil or any high-heat oil for tossing the sweet potatoes before baking. This helps in achieving the desired crispiness.
- How can I add extra flavor to these fries?
- To enhance the flavor, you can add garlic powder and a few pinches of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. After baking, tossing with freshly-grated Parmesan cheese and parsley also adds a delicious touch.
- What dipping sauces pair well with parmesan baked sweet potato fries?
- These fries can be served with ketchup or any other dipping sauce you prefer. Feel free to experiment with different sauces to find your favorite combination.
Tips
- Ensure uniformity in the size of the sweet potato fries by cutting them into 1/4-inch thick matchsticks. This will help them cook evenly and achieve the ideal balance of crispiness on the outside and softness on the inside.
- Toss the fries with vegetable oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne before baking. This seasoning not only enhances flavor but also helps achieve a crispy texture.
- Spread the fries out in a single layer on the baking sheet, turning them once or twice during baking to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy.
- After baking, quickly toss the hot fries with freshly-grated Parmesan and parsley for an extra burst of flavor, and serve them with your preferred dipping sauce while they are still warm.
Equipment
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet (if you don’t have a large enough one or need a second one)
- Large mixing bowl
- Chef’s knife or a mandoline slicer (for cutting sweet potatoes into matchsticks)
- Grater (for grating Parmesan cheese)
