Recipe: Chili-Spiked Sweet Potato Fries

We could - and have! - eat a plate of sweet potato fries for dinner and nothing else. They're creamy, a bit crunchy, and very satisfying. We like them kicked up with a light dusting of spicy chili powder, but they're also great with just a simple sprinkle of kosher salt. Bet you can't eat just one...

Technically, we suppose these are "coins" and not "fries," but we've found that sweet potatoes tend to get mushy instead of crispy in the long fry shape. Cutting them in coins helps them cook a little more evenly, we think. The edges get a little crispy while the center is soft, but firm.

Also try them with a crinkle cut! The little ridges get nice and crunchy.

If you're not a fan of chili, these fries are great just with plain salt. We also like them with cumin, curry powder, smoked paprika, or any other strongly flavored spice.

Chili-Spiked Sweet Potato Fries

1 sweet potato per person, preferably ones that are shaped long and skinny
1 Tablespoon olive oil
kosher salt
chili powder

Preheat the oven to 400°. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick coating or line it with aluminum foil.

Slice the sweet potatoes approximately 1/8-inch thick. Thinner than this and you end up with brittle chips (also good!), and thicker fries tend to get mushy. We used a mandolin, but a sharp knife works just as well.

Pat the coins dry with a clean kitchen towel and then toss them with the olive oil in a small bowl. Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle them with salt and chili powder.

Bake for 10 minutes and then flip the fries over. Sprinkle the other side with salt and chili, and continue baking for 5 - 10 minutes until the centers are tender and the edges are slightly crispy. Let the fries cool for 5 minutes on the tray to let them firm up a bit.

Serve while still warm with ketchup or other favorite dipping sauce.

(Image: Emma Christensen for the Kitchn)

Comments (13)

we do this on the regular. yummmmmmm

haven't done this in a while... hello dinner tonight :)

Sounds yummy, but I'm guessing you used a mandoline, not a mandolin. ;-)

Yum! I could use a plate of these right now.

@wisekaren, actually (and confusingly) it's spelled both ways! I always think of mandolin as the instrument, but it's also a very common spelling of the kitchen tool too.

My family always has these with a yummy, creamy garlic dip, but I'll have to try this next time!

Love sweet potato fries - in fact I'm kinda addicted to them and eat them at least once a week if not twice. I like this coin idea will definatley try slicing them on the madonline soon. I usually mix up a chipotle mayo w/ garlic and lime and even better had a mayo or cream dip today with sesame oil lime and chipotle - super tasty.

i do mine with salt and fresh basil. the best!

oooh these would be good with spicy mayo:
mayo, sriracha chile sauce, sesame seed oil

First of all - to the above comment's spicy mayo - YUM.

I LOVE sweet potato fries. Normal fries just don't really do it for me, but sweet potato fries? I'm basically a fiend.

If you find yourself with some leftover sweet potatoes and want a healthy snack/sweet treat, try out this simple Sweet Potato Mash-Up. Not only do you get delicious sweet potatoes, but it's also made with flax seed oil, so it's good for you!

YUMMY, I've been staring at this post for the last three days day dreaming of sweet potato fries... I think I am going to have to breakdown and brave the weather to grab some sweet potatoes.

I also think some rosemary ketchup is in order.

I have made something like these but added cinnamon... delicious

Thanks for the recipes. Sweet potato is so good for us. This site is just the best.