Sweet potato fries are a favorite for anyone looking for a tasty side dish with a bit more nutritional value than your average french fry.
But getting them crispy can be a challenge. Soggy sweet potato fries are a sad experience, and nobody wants that!
That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to make perfect, crispy fried sweet potato fries at home. We’ll cover frying, baking, and air frying so you can find your favorite method.
Prepping the perfect sweet potato
Sweet potato fries can be a bit tricky, but with a little extra care, you can make them wonderfully crisp.
Selecting and cutting sweet potatoes
Start with firm sweet potatoes that are free of blemishes. Cutting them into uniform strips is important to ensure that they cook evenly. Aim for strips that are between ¼ and ½ inch thick and about 3-4 inches long.
Why removing starch is so important
Here’s a tip I learned from my grandmother: Soak your cut sweet potato fries in ice water for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. This helps remove excess starch, which can keep them from browning and lead to soggy fries. If you have time, a longer soak can help even more!
Make sure they’re dry
After soaking, thoroughly dry the sweet potato strips with paper towels. This is another key step, because extra moisture can inhibit crisping. You want those babies dry!
The science of crispy fries: methods and techniques
There are several ways to make sweet potato fries, and each yields slightly different results. Here’s a rundown of the basic techniques.
Deep frying for restaurant-quality results
If maximum crispiness is your goal, deep frying is the way to go.
When deep frying, it’s important to keep the oil temperature consistent, ideally around 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Fry the sweet potato sticks in batches so you don’t overcrowd the fryer. Fry for 6 to 8 minutes, until they’re golden brown and crispy.
The double-fry method
Double-frying takes a little more time, but it’s worth the effort.
First, fry the sweet potato sticks at a lower temperature, say 275°F, to cook the interior. Then, fry them a second time at a higher temperature, around 350°F, to crisp the exterior.
For even crispier fries, let them rest for 5 minutes after the second fry.
Oven-baked fries: A healthier alternative
Oven baking is a healthier way to make sweet potato fries because you use less oil. However, it can be hard to get them as crispy as fried fries.
To bake sweet potato fries, set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the sweet potato sticks on a baking tray, making sure they aren’t too crowded so they don’t steam instead of crisping. Bake for about 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Air frying: A convenient option
Air frying is another way to make sweet potato fries with less oil. Cook them at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking them halfway through.
Secrets to enhanced crispiness: Batters, coatings, and oils
While the sweet potatoes themselves are the star of the show, it’s the preparation techniques that separate soggy fries from sublimely crisp ones.
The role of cornstarch (cornflour)
Cornstarch is the secret weapon for a super-crispy coating. Tossing your sweet potato sticks with cornstarch before frying or baking helps to draw out moisture and create a light, almost brittle exterior. For a standard batch of fries, about 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornflour should do the trick.
Batter options: Beer batter and beyond
For a restaurant-style fry, consider a batter. Beer batter is a popular choice for a light and crispy coating. You can also experiment with other batter options, like a mix of flour and spices tailored to your taste.
Choosing the right oil
The type of oil you use is also critical for achieving the right level of crispness. Sunflower oil and extra virgin olive oil are good choices. For that truly decadent, restaurant-quality fry, creamy liquid shortening works wonders. Just be sure to use enough oil—at least 6 cups—to fully submerge the fries for even cooking.
Seasoning, serving, and storing sweet potato fries
The best time to season your fries is as soon as they come out of the fryer or oven. That’s when the oil is still clinging to them, and the seasonings will stick best.
For a simple seasoning, use sea salt, garlic powder, and a pinch of sweet smoked paprika. Or try paprika, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder.
After you sprinkle on the seasonings, give the fries a shake or toss them to make sure they’re evenly coated.
Ketchup is always a good choice for dipping, but if you’re feeling fancy, try saffron aioli. These fries are also great alongside chicken strips or burgers.
If you have leftover fries, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven or air fryer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they’re crispy again.
Wrapping Up
To get the crispiest sweet potato fries, remember to soak them, toss them with cornstarch, and don’t overcrowd the pan.
Feel free to play around with different methods and seasonings to find your perfect recipe.
Now, it’s time to get cooking! Enjoy your homemade crispy sweet potato fries. You deserve them!