This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Tulane chapter.
Now that Starbuck’s return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte has officially marked the beginning of Fall, everyone is getting excited about all the delicious pumpkin recipes. But, pumpkins are not the only Fall vegetable to get excited about, there is another orange vegetable that is great for those Fall recipes- sweet potatoes! So while you’re sipping on your grande Pumpkin Spice Latte with skim milk and whipped cream (because we all know as long as you use skim it isn’t that unhealthy to add whipped cream), munch on some delicious (and healthy) crispy sweet potato fries!
What You’ll Need:
- Two large sweet potatoes – peeled or unpeeled – if possible, it is best to get potatoes that are more round/oval so that way they will be easier to cut *I leave them peeled*
- Cinnamon
- Salt – ½ tsp. or to taste
- Oil spray or 1-2 tbsp. olive oil or coconut oil *I prefer to use coconut spray oil because it is healthier and sweeter!*
What to Do:
- Preheat the oven to 400F and grease baking sheet(s) – if you are using tinfoil there is no need to grease
- Cut the potatoes into fry shapes – thick or thin, however you prefer – and make sure to use a sharp knife because sweet potatoes can be hard to cut
- Put the cut sweet potatoes into a bowl and let them soak in water for about 45 minutes – this is an important step if you want them to be crispy!
- Drain the water and spread them on the baking sheet(s) and spray (as evenly as possible) with oil – if you are not using spray oil you will add the oil while the fries are in the bowl and mix before spreading them on the baking sheet(s)
- Add cinnamon and salt – I have found that it is best/easier to not use any exact measurements when adding these ingredients and instead I just shake the salt over the spread out potatoes and than shake the cinnamon over them until it looks like enough – some people prefer them saltier and some prefer them sweeter, so how much you use is really up to you *I also like to add cinnamon again when I turn the fries in the oven*
- Bake for around 30 minutes, turning them halfway through – feel free to give them a taste before serving and keep them in the oven longer if you don’t think they are crispy enough *I usually end up leaving them in for closer to 40 minutes*
*comments in italics are the author’s cooking preferences*