Baked sweet potato fries are notoriously hard to get right, often turning out soft or soggy instead of crisp. This oven-roasted method uses high heat, even cuts, and a savory Parmesan finish to deliver tender centers with golden, lightly crisp edges every time.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato pieces coated in a delicious spice blend with crisp edges and lots of flavor- what’s not to love!
- Favorite way to enjoy sweet potatoes – While I love a good baked sweet potato, the seasoning blend on these fries really sends them over the top.
- Quick and easy – These sweet potato wedges can be prepped and into the oven in under 10 minutes. Less time in the kitchen equals more time with your family.
- Minimal ingredients – If you don’t already have the ingredients on hand, you can easily find them at the grocery store.
Recipe Essentials
The simple ingredients needed to make this sweet potato fry recipe can easily be found at your local grocery store. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Sweet potatoes – I like to use large sweet potatoes. Make sure they are peeled and cut into wedges. You can eat sweet potato skins, but they can be challenging to chew.
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh thyme
- Fine sea salt
How to Make Baked Sweet Potato Fries (Step-by-Step)
You are going to love how easy it is to make these crispy sweet potato fries.
- Prepare oven and pan. Preheat oven and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Toss potatoes in oil. In a large bowl, toss potatoes with olive oil. Try to coat as evenly as possible. Spread potatoes on baking sheet in a single layer.
- Combine remaining ingredients. Mix garlic cloves through Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Bake, flipping fries half way through. Baking time will vary greatly based on the size of your wedges. To test, pierce with a fork and wait until the are tender.
- Add cheese. Remove fries from oven and spoon Parmesan cheese mixture evenly over sweet potato fries.
- Broil. Increase oven temp to broil, return baking sheet and watch closely. Remove when cheese is melted and edges begin to brown.
Variations
There are several ways you can make these baked sweet potato fries your own.
- Potatoes – Sweet potatoes come in a variety of colors, try purple sweet potatoes or even white potatoes to add some variety. You could even use regular potatoes to make regular fries and still use the same topping.
- Seasoning – The seasoning we use on these sweet potatoes fries is very simple, but try mixing it up with different herbs, a different cheese or even onion powder.
- Spice it up – If you want to add some heat, try adding some black pepper, chili powder, a pinch of cayenne pepper or any spice mix you’d like.
- Cooking method – If you’re partial to the air fryer, you can make these air fryer sweet potato fries. Spray your air fryer basket or use a liner and be aware the cooking time will probably change, but be dependent on your machine and the size of the wedges.
Perfect Pairings
Sweet potato fries are basically the side dish that plays nice with everyone… but they really shine with foods that are salty, smoky, spicy, or tangy.
Some of my personal favorites are a caprese burger, crab melt, slow cooker ribs or skirt steak. Even salmon croquettes or crab cakes.
And if the garlic parmesan isn’t enough flavor, consider going restaurant style with a dipping sauce- garlic aioli, fry sauce and yum yum sauce are my picks.
Commonly Asked Questions
Sogginess usually comes from excess moisture and overcrowding. Cut fries evenly, dry them well, use a high-heat oven, and spread them in a single layer with space between pieces so they roast instead of steam. Also use a low-rimmed baking sheet (not a deep pan).
Not usually. Sweet potatoes don’t crisp the same way russets do, and soaking can make them harder to crisp. Your best bets are even cuts, drying thoroughly, and finishing with a quick broil.
Uniform thickness is everything. Whether you do wedges or sticks, keep them consistent so the thin ones don’t burn while the thicker ones stay soft.
After the fries are tender. Add the Parmesan-garlic mixture at the end, then broil briefly so the cheese melts and turns golden without burning the garlic.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
I am a firm believer that potatoes should be their own food group- all joking aside, they make the best side dishes. Here are some of my favorites.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries w/ Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes peeled, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
- 2 tablespoons light extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 3 garlic cloves pressed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme minced
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with non-stick aluminum foil or parchment paper. Make sure the baking sheet has short sides to prevent steaming. Do not use a deep pan and pick something large enough that they are not crowded.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the prepped 2 large sweet potatoes with the 2 tablespoons light extra virgin olive oil. Try to coat as evenly as possible. Spread potatoes on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer allowing room around each for the air to circulate, this ensures even cooking.
- Bake the sweet potatoes for 20-30 minutes (this is largely dependant on the size of your fries), flipping fries half way through. To test, pierce with a fork and wait until they are tender.
- In a small bowl, toss together the 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, minced 3 garlic cloves, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt.
- Remove from the oven and spoon the Parmesan cheese mixture evenly over the sweet potato fries.
- Increase the oven temperature to broil, return the baking sheet and watch closely. Remove when the cheese is melted and edges begin to brown- approximately 2 minutes.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
