I’ve had a long, rocky relationship with fries. Not the fast food kind—those were love at first bite. But homemade fries? Let’s just say they didn’t always crisp the way I dreamed they would. Then came sweet potatoes, those earthy, stubborn orange gems. And we finally figured each other out. Now I can bake a batch that’s golden and crunchy on the outside, tender and just sweet enough inside. And here’s the kicker: they don’t need a deep fryer to shine. Just a hot oven, a bit of oil, and a few tips that I’ll get into below. I like to call these my ‘lazy gourmet’ fries. They taste like something you’d get at a restaurant that serves aioli with everything, but you can totally make them in your pajamas. You don’t even need to peel the sweet potatoes unless you want to. And if they come out a little different each time? So what. We’re not machines—we’re home cooks. These sweet potato fries are perfect on their own, but they’re also the sidekick every sandwich dreams of. Whether it’s a turkey club or something you grilled last-minute, they just get it. And let’s be honest: dipping them in something tangy is half the fun. I’ve been known to mix up a little Greek yogurt with smoked paprika and lemon juice, but they’re just as happy with plain ol’ ketchup. Let’s get into it.

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- 4) How to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- 5) Tips for Making Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- 6) Making Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- 8) Try these side dish recipes next!
- 9) Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- These fries get crisp in the oven without deep frying
- Cornstarch helps them stay light and crunchy
- Perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces
- No need to peel the potatoes, skin-on adds texture
2) Easy Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
When we think comfort food, fries come to mind. But not just any fries. I’m talking about the kind with a golden crisp outside and that soft, steamy inside. This is what I set out to recreate, using one ingredient I’ve always loved: sweet potatoes.
With a little trial and a lot of crunchy error, I found a method that works. These sweet potato fries hold their own—light, crispy, full of flavor. No deep fryer, no stress. Just a hot oven, a few pantry basics, and that sweet payoff in every bite.
The trick is in how you prep them. We coat them in cornstarch first. That’s your ticket to crunch. Then a toss in olive oil and a blend of simple spices. As they bake, they get those caramelized edges and soft middles that make fries so addictive. This isn’t just an easy loaf bread recipes simple kind of deal—it’s the kind of simple you come back to.

3) Ingredients for Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
2 large sweet potatoes – Scrubbed clean and cut into thin strips. You can peel them or not. Totally up to you. The skin gives them a rustic bite.
2 tablespoons cornstarch – This is your magic ingredient. It helps create that crisp coating on the fries without frying.
2 tablespoons olive oil – Keeps everything golden and helps the spices stick. A little goes a long way here.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – For that little background flavor that keeps you grabbing another fry.
1/2 teaspoon paprika – Adds color and that subtle smokiness that pairs so well with sweet potatoes.
1/2 teaspoon salt – Every good fry needs salt. Adjust to your liking but don’t skip it.
Freshly ground black pepper – Just a few cracks for balance and bite. Go light or bold depending on your mood.

4) How to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 425 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps with easy cleanup and better browning.
Step 2. Slice your sweet potatoes into sticks. Try to keep them even so they cook at the same rate. About a quarter inch wide works well.
Step 3. Toss the potato sticks with cornstarch in a big bowl. Make sure each piece is coated evenly. This step sets up that crispy finish.
Step 4. Add olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss again until they’re all seasoned up and lightly glossy.
Step 5. Spread them out on the baking sheet. No crowding. Fries need space or they’ll steam instead of crisp.
Step 6. Bake for 15 minutes. Flip them, then bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. They should look golden and slightly puffed.
Step 7. Let them sit for five minutes. This last step helps them crisp even more. Then grab your favorite sauce and dig in.

5) Tips for Making Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Keep the sizes consistent. If one fry is fat and the next is thin, they won’t cook the same way. Stick with uniform sticks.
Use parchment or a silicone mat. This helps avoid sticking and makes sure those fries lift right off the pan with their crust intact.
If you have time, soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes. This pulls out excess starch and helps with texture. Just dry them very well before tossing with cornstarch.
6) Making Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries Ahead of Time
You can slice and soak the fries earlier in the day. Dry them well and store in the fridge until it’s time to cook. I like to prep a batch in the morning and roast them fresh in the evening.
Another trick is to pre-bake them for the first 15 minutes, then store them loosely covered. When you’re ready to serve, finish baking and they’ll come out fresh and crisp.
This works great if you’re juggling multiple dishes or hosting guests. One less thing to worry about when dinner time rolls around.
7) Storing Leftover Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Leftovers? Store them in a container with the lid slightly open. That keeps the fries from going soggy too fast.
To reheat, use the oven or a skillet over medium heat. A few minutes brings them right back to crispy. Microwaves are quick, but they’ll make the fries soft. Not the best trade-off.
If you know you’ll be saving some, underbake them a little. Then crisp them up fully when you reheat. It’s like having fresh fries on day two.
8) Try these side dish recipes next!
9) Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries with easy loaf bread recipes simple
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes (scrubbed clean, skin on or peeled)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into evenly-sized thin strips. Think shoestring fries, but not so thin they burn. Aim for around 1/4-inch thickness.
- In a large bowl, toss the fries with cornstarch until they’re lightly coated. This is your secret crisp-up weapon.
- Drizzle in the olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss again until everything’s evenly coated.
- Spread the fries out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure they’re not touching—crowded fries steam, and we want crispness.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the fries and return to the oven for another 10–15 minutes, or until they’re golden and the edges are nice and crispy.
- Let them cool for a few minutes (they’ll crisp up more as they sit), then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: ~1/2 batch | Calories: ~190 | Sugar: 6g | Sodium: 290 mg | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Carbohydrates: 30g | Fiber: 4g | Protein: 2g | Cholesterol: 0 mg

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