Introduction
Sweet potato fries have become a popular alternative to regular fries due to their health benefits, rich flavor, and unique texture. However, many people struggle with making crispy sweet potato fries, instead ending up with a soggy mess. In this article, we will provide tips, tricks, and a foolproof recipe to help you achieve perfectly crispy sweet potato fries every time.
The Ultimate Guide to Crispy Sweet Potato Fries: Tips and Tricks
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore why sweet potato fries tend to be less crispy than regular fries. The culprit is starch, which is more prevalent in sweet potatoes than in regular potatoes. Starch tends to absorb moisture, making the fries limp and soggy. So, how can we achieve crispy sweet potato fries? Here are some tips and tricks:
Soak the Sweet Potato Fries in Water
Soaking the sweet potato fries in water before frying or baking them helps remove excess starch and provides a crispy texture. Simply place the sliced sweet potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes before patting them dry and cooking them.
Cut the Sweet Potato Fries Evenly
Uniform sizes are crucial when it comes to making crispy sweet potato fries. Make sure to cut the potatoes into evenly sized fries to ensure that they cook evenly and crisp up evenly as well.
Use the Right Temperature and Cooking Time
Cooking sweet potato fries in the right temperature and cooking time is necessary to achieve crispy texture on the outside while maintaining their tenderness inside. The ideal temperature is between 375°F-400°F (around 191°C-204°C) for deep-frying and 425°F (around 218°C) for oven-baking. The cooking time is usually around 10-12 minutes if deep-frying or 25-30 minutes if oven-baking.
How to Make Perfectly Crispy Sweet Potato Fries Every Time
Are you ready to make perfectly crispy sweet potato fries at home? Follow these simple steps to ensure success:
Step 1: Choose Good Quality Sweet Potatoes
The first step is to choose high-quality sweet potatoes that are firm and uniform in shape. Avoid ones with bruises, cracks, or soft spots as they can alter the texture and flavor of the fries.
Step 2: Cut the Sweet Potato Fries Uniformly
As mentioned before, uniform sizes are crucial when it comes to making sweet potato fries crispy. For best results, use a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer to cut the potatoes into evenly sized fries with a thickness of around ¼ inch (around 6mm).
Step 3: Soak the Sweet Potato Fries in Water
To remove excess starch, soak the sliced sweet potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove any excess moisture, ensuring crispy texture on the outside and tenderness on the inside.
Step 4: Pat Dry the Sweet Potato Fries
Drain the sweet potato fries from the water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Make sure to dry them thoroughly to avoid any sogginess caused by excess moisture.
Step 5: Season and Toss the Sweet Potato Fries with Oil
Season the sweet potato fries with your desired seasonings and toss them with oil. We recommend using a neutral oil like vegetable oil or grapeseed oil as they have a high smoke point, making them ideal for frying or oven-baking.
Step 6: Cook the Sweet Potato Fries in the Right Temperature and Cooking Time
Deep-frying or oven-baking sweet potato fries in the right temperature and cooking time is essential. For deep-frying, heat the oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 375°F-400°F (around 191°C-204°C). Fry the sweet potato fries in small batches until golden brown, usually around 2-3 minutes per batch. For oven-baking, preheat the oven to 425°F (around 218°C) and bake the sweet potato fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for around 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking.
Mastering the Art of Crispy Sweet Potato Fries: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Now that you know the basics of making crispy sweet potato fries let’s dive into a step-by-step tutorial:
Step 1: Gather the Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon of paprika
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 425°F (around 218°C).
Step 3: Cut the Sweet Potatoes
Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized fries with a thickness of around ¼ inch (around 6mm).
Step 4: Soak the Sweet Potato Fries in Water
Soak the sliced sweet potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 5: Coat the Sweet Potato Fries with Cornstarch
Place 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a large bowl and toss the sweet potato fries until evenly coated.
Step 6: Season the Sweet Potato Fries with Spices
Add ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) to the bowl and toss until evenly coated.
Step 7: Toss the Sweet Potato Fries with Oil
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over the seasoned sweet potato fries and toss until evenly coated.
Step 8: Bake the Sweet Potato Fries
Arrange the sweet potato fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for around 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking, until golden and crispy.
Secrets to Crispy, Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
If you prefer oven-baking your sweet potato fries, here some extra secrets to achieving crispy oven-baked fries:
Coating Sweet Potato Fries with Cornstarch
Coating sweet potato fries with cornstarch before baking helps get the perfect crispy outer layer. The cornstarch creates a barrier that prevents moisture from soaking into the fries and makes sure that the fries get crispy in the oven.
Placing the Fries in a Single Layer
Make sure to arrange the sweet potato fries in a single layer on the baking sheet, so they cook evenly and crisp up evenly. Overcrowding the pan can cause the fries to steam and lose their crispy texture.
Make Your Own Crispy Sweet Potato Fries: A Foolproof Recipe
Now that you know all the tips, tricks, and secrets to making perfectly crispy sweet potato fries, here’s a foolproof recipe:
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon of paprika
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized fries with a thickness of around ¼ inch (around 6mm).
- Soak the sliced sweet potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Place 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a large bowl and toss the sweet potato fries until evenly coated.
- Add ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) to the bowl and toss until evenly coated.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over the seasoned sweet potato fries and toss until evenly coated.
- Arrange the sweet potato fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for around 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking, until golden and crispy.
- Serve and enjoy!
Each serving of this recipe contains around 224 calories, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 3.5 grams of protein, and 10 grams of fat.
Conclusion
There you have it, the ultimate guide to making perfectly crispy sweet potato fries. Remember to choose good quality sweet potatoes, cut them uniformly, remove excess starch, season and toss them with oil, and cook them in the right temperature and cooking time. Whether you prefer deep-frying or oven-baking, you can now enjoy crispy sweet potato fries every time.
