Healthy Snacking: Sweet Potato Fries

More fries.

There is a common misconception that sweet potato fries, for the simple fact that they are not french fries, are healthy. Sure, they may be healthier for you than regular fries–sweet potatoes have fewer calories than regular potatoes, and they are a better source of vitamins A and C–but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily healthy.

Most restaurants that offer sweet potato fries deep fry them in the same hydrogenated vegetable oil used for regular french fries. In other words, the “healthy” alternative is probably as bad as the original french fry itself. There is, however, an alternative to the alternative: baking the sweet potato fries at home. Key word: baking.

More fries.
Baked-at-home fries are delicious and healthy. | Photo by Estefania Souza.

Baked sweet potato fries are healthier than their fried counterparts because they are lower in fat. Plus, the cook has control over the amount of salt added so they are lower in sodium as well. Then there are an array of flavors to be added using spices like fresh ground pepper, rosemary, oregano, and chili powder. Whatever is added to them–unless it is heaps of chipotle mayo or sugar–sweet potato fries are healthier when made at home.

Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries (adapted from Epicurious)

Active time: 10 minutes. Total time: 40 minutes.

  • 1 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon rosemary
  • Salt and pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 450F. Cut the sweet potato in half crosswise and then into 1/2-inch slices. Cut each slice again into 1/2-inch strips

    Sliced sweet potatoes.
    Thinner slices will make crunchier fries; thick strips stay softer. | Photo by Estefania Souza.

  2. Place fries in a large bowl and add olive oil. Toss until coated well. Add rosemary and toss again. Season with salt and pepper. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and place fries in a single layer.
Fries in bowl.
Add desired spices after tossing sweet potato fries with olive oil. | Photo by Estefania Souza
Fries in baking sheet.
Arrange fries in one single layer and toss occasionally while cooking. | Photo by Estefania Souza.

3. Cook fries for about 30 minutes total, or until slightly browned and crispy on the outside. After 10 minutes in the oven, toss fries to ensure even cooking. Check fries every 5 minutes and toss. Let fries cool for about 5 minutes and serve.

Fries
A slightly browned fry is a perfect fry. | Photo by Estefania Souza.

About Estefania Souza

Estefania is passionate foodie and magazine lover. She could spend all day every day flipping through food magazines and dreaming of a kitchen equipped with everything from a pair SubZero refrigerators, to a professional KitchenAid electric mixer to a brick oven. Follow her on twitter @estefaniasouza

View all posts by Estefania Souza →

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