Learn the easiest way to make oven baked sweet potato fries that are nice and crispy on the outside but soft in the middle, have heaps of flavour and are super addictive. Serve these as a side with your favourite burger or simply enjoy on their own as a snack!
For longer than I even know, I’ve been addicted to sweet potato fries. I order them at most places that have them, which generally then involves me being unable to eat my main meal as I’ve filled up on fries. I don’t mind though because they are just so delicious.
I’ve been making my own oven baked sweet potato fries at home for years and this is the exact method I use. I usually serve these as a side to some form of protein like air fryer steak or even as an addition to this crispy air fried tofu and kale salad so that it’s a well rounded plate. Because everything can be elevated with a side of fries.
Because these fries are baked in the oven not fried in oil, they are pretty healthy. I like to think of them as just being roast vegetables but cut into a more fun shape. Plus because they are cut into long thin fries, there is more surface area for those crispy, crunchy edges that are the best bit.
Key Ingredients
You don’t need much to make these sweet potato fries, and you can get creative with the seasonings depending on what you have and your tastes.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Sweet potato – for these fries, we’re using a gold sweet potato that’s around 650 grams in size. This is approximately enough for 4 people as a side to a main meal, but you can adjust the other quantities based on the size of your sweet potato and how you’re serving them.
- Spices – My go to combination for sweet potato is to use garlic powder, smoked paprika and dried oregano as I find they compliment the sweetness of the sweet potato really well and really give it that savoury kick.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making sweet potato fries in the oven really is super simple, and you can get them on and baking away while you prep the rest of your meal.
Next, peel and chop your sweet potato or sweet potatoes depending on their size. You can optionally just wash them and leave the skin on – sometimes I do this, it’s really just personal preference.
When cutting up your sweet potato, try to keep them an even thickness. This is important because if you have different sizes the smaller ones will burn while the bigger ones will remain too soft. Having the same size fries is essential to ensuring they all cook evenly.
Toss the sweet potato in a bowl with the spices and the olive oil and mix around until each piece has been fully coated.
Line two large baking trays with baking paper and lay the fries on the trays spaced evenly apart so that they are not touching each other.
Generally the most common reason that sweet potato fries become soft and soggy is because there is not enough room on the tray for the air to circulate around the potato which is what helps them get nice and golden and crisp.
Tip! Make sure you’re oven has actually preheated. It is essential that the oven is hot when the fries go in to bake to make sure they end up crispy and not steamed.
Place in the oven for about 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your fries and your oven. I usually turn them at about the 20 minute mark to ensure even cooking.
These fries are best served immediately as they will start to soften as they cool.
Serve them a spiced chickpea and cauliflower burger, or crispy chicken burger, enjoy them on their own as a snack, or pile them high alongside a piece of grilled fish for a healthy fish ‘n’ chips.
Recipe FAQs
These sweet potato fries are best enjoyed straight away but if you do want to reheat leftovers, I find the best option is a few minutes in the air fryer as this crisps them back up quickly.
Otherwise, place them back into a preheated oven for a few minutes, but take care to watch them so that they don’t burn.
Sweet potatoes have a higher moisture content than regular potatoes, which can make them more prone to being soggy. To help get a crispy result, follow the tips in this post, especially ensuring that they have space and that the tray isn’t overcrowded. Also make sure they are sliced thin and evenly to help ensure they cook evenly otherwise you may end up with some soggy and some burnt.
Yes, you can cook sweet potato fries in an air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Just like with the oven method, be sure not to overcrowd the basket so they crisp properly and cook in batches if needed.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More Potato Sides:
Smashed Potato Salad
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Oven Baked Potato Wedges with Herb Mayo
Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 650 grams sweet potato approx. 1 large sweet potato
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line two large baking trays with baking paper.
- Peel the sweet potato and slice into long thin chips. Place in a bowl with the olive oil, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Toss well to coat the potatoes.
- Place the chips on the baking tray making sure there is space between each so they cook evenly. Bake for 30-45 minutes until golden and crispy on the edges, turning them halfway through.
- Season again with salt if needed, before serving immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
This recipe was originally published in September 2020 but has been updated in 2025 with new photos and more helpful information. The recipe remains the same!
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