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Healthy Sweet Potato Fries
Indulging in the beloved French fry snack once in a while is always welcomed, in my book, because life is all about finding a healthy balance for ourselves. But, how about finding a healthy substitute without all the excess fat, sodium, and calories?
This minimal ingredient recipe is able to overwhelmingly check off all those boxes. Plus, sweet potatoes are exploding with antioxidant-rich vitamin A and also contain an equally hefty dose of fiber and potassium. Check, check!
I’ve been wanting to make sweet potato fries for months now (probably even years!), but never got around to making this simple & delicious French fry variation until last week. While these strips weren’t as crisp as a normal French fry, I had no problem savoring each and every yummy bite!
The kid in me has always loved dipping my fries in ketchup – which, of course, isn’t one of the healthiest options seeing as most prepackaged versions can be loaded with high fructose corn syrup and sodium. EEK! Thankfully I did find healthier ketchup that contained half the sugar and sodium of most popular brands on the market. #Balance
Tips to avoid mushy, soggy fries (‘cause nobody wants that!)
1. Cut evenly-sized fries: Take the time to evenly cut your fries, about 1/4-inch thick, to be exact. This will help avoid having your fries become over or undercooked. I made the mistake of cutting mine too thick – which cause some to turn out a bit flimsy
2. Use parchment paper: This will help prevent your fries from sticking to the pan and help them crisp up nicely. Just be sure to use a brand of parchment paper that can withstand high cooking temperatures.
3. Don’t overcrowd the pan: Once you add your fries to the baking sheet be sure to lay them in an even single layer. If they’re overlapping on top of each other, the fries on the bottom won’t have the chance to get as crispy. Don’t have enough room? Go ahead and use a larger pan or two smaller pans.
4. Take the time to flip fries: Once the fries have baked halfway through, you’ll need to give them a good flip. Take the extra few minutes to make sure each fry gets a full 180° flip.
5: Dig in quick! Once your sweet potato fries are ready to go, enjoy them immediately. Fries are best fresh out of the oven; if they sit out for too long, they’ll begin to get soggy. So, dig right in!
Healthy Sweet Potato Fries
Indulging in the beloved French fry snack once in a while is always welcomed, in my book, because life is all about finding a healthy balance for ourselves. But, how about finding a healthy substitute without all the excess fat, sodium, and calories?
Ingredients
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes (peeled)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400.
- Wash, peel, and dry sweet potatoes.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into sticks 1/4-inch-wide and 3 inches long, and toss them with the oil.
- Mix the spices, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, and toss them with the sweet potatoes. Line your rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and spread your strips out in an even layer.
- Place your pans either on the top rack for crispy fries or middle rack for softer fries. Bake until brown and crisp on the bottom, about 15 minutes, then flip and cook until the other side is crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve hot & enjoy!
Notes
Baking times vary depending on your oven & your desired crispiness. I baked mine for 20 minutes on each side. When trying this recipe out for the first time, be sure to keep an eye on your fries and adjust timing according to your liking.
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 205mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1g
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