Garlic Parmesan Baked Sweet Potato Fries take this superfood up a few notches with a garlicky, parmesan topping on top. These are crispy on the outside and soft and sweet inside. I eat a whole batch as a meal!
I feel like the sweet potato really made a come back in the last decade. For a while, it was a vegetable that only made an appearance around Thanksgiving, but they now grace menus all over the place from the fanciest of the fancy right on down to fast food.
I, too, have fallen prey to the sweet potato craze and make Garlic Parmesan Baked Sweet Potato Fries as a side… or even sometimes as a whole meal. I can’t be trusted when there is a baking sheet with fries on it.
I decided to bake my fries for a couple of reasons. The main one being that deep-frying at home can be a bit of a chore and when you need to get a quick dinner recipe on the table the last thing you want to do is deal with is a pot of hot oil. The other reason is that it’s just plain healthier, and yes, I do like some moderation in my life when it comes to food!
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.
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene which your body then converts into Vitamin A. That then helps keep your skin healthy and your vision and eyes. They also contain lots of fiber and antioxidants which promote gut health.
While I am no doctor and even the best sweet potato fries won’t fix a health condition, they are certainly better for you than regular french fries. They’re great if you’re following a heart-healthy diet.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries Ingredients
The simple ingredients needed to make this sweet potato fry recipe can easily be found at your local grocery store.
- 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.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Not only does the olive help to soften the potato, but it also helps the seasonings to stick and has a smoke point, so the oil will not burn.
- Garlic cloves – Pressed garlic adds so much flavor to these homemade sweet potato fries. You can use garlic powder in a pinch.
- Fresh herbs – Fresh herbs take this sweet potato fries recipe to the next level. I use fresh thyme and fresh parsley minced. You can used dried, just reduce to about 1/2 teaspoon of each.
- Fine sea salt – I like to add a pinch of salt, but you can add this to your liking.
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese is the perfect thing to add to these tasty, crispy fries. Do not use shaker cheese- it won’t melt or get crispy.
How to Make Baked Sweet Potato Fries
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.
Did You Know SweetPotato is One Word?
Did you know that sweetpotato is actually one word? Most people still use two, so we do as well, but in 1989 this nun (not an adjective) was officially changed to one word to help standout against it’s very commonly confused cousin the yam.
And as we know, sweet potatoes are not yams! You’ve likely never even had a yam in your lifetime because they aren’t grown in the US. So bring up this little bit of trivia at your table tonight.
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 dependant on your machine and the size of the wedges.
How to Serve Baked Sweet Potato Fries
We like to serve these garlic parmesan sweet potato fries with a dipping sauce. You can go as simple as ketchup, or make your own fry sauce. A garlic aioli would also be nice.
Because they’re a side dish, they pair nicely with almost any main dish you can think of. We particularly like them with burgers or other sandwiches.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: You can store any leftover baked sweet potato fries in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezing: You can also store these homemade fries in the freezer. Store in a freezer bag for up to six months.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
- Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Cornbread Recipe
Apple Spiced Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Parmesan and Garlic Sweet Potato Fry Recipe
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.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the prepped sweet potatoes with the olive oil. Try to coat as evenly as possible. Spread potatoes on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- 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 Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, thyme, and salt.
- Remove from the oven and spoon the Parmesan cheese mixture evenly over the sweet potato fries.
- Increase the oven temp to broil, return the baking sheet and watch closely. Remove when the cheese is melted and edges begin to brown.
- Serve hot!
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.