Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Just like any other university student, I like to cook food that takes the least amount of effort, least amount of cutlery and least amount of time. This sweet potato recipe is one of my top go-to meals to make throughout the year because of how simple and tasty it is. I’ve been making my sweet potato fries for years and I can’t see myself stopping anytime soon. At my university accommodation, I think I make this dish at least once a week. I can easily eat just sweet potato fries as a meal on its own. 

Unlike the fries you would generally see in restaurants, I don’t deep-fry my fries. I oven bake them instead – it’s easier and can be considered healthier than deep-fried sweet potato fries. 

What ingredients I use to make these sweet potato fries:

To make my sweet potato fries, I use one large  sweet potato. I then chop it into thin strips before seasoning it with paprika powder, garlic powder/granules, olive oil and Aromat. Aromat is a Swiss seasoning by the brand Knorr. It’s similar to just all-purpose seasoning that you can buy in your local supermarket. Aromat has become more and more popular. You can buy it at your local Tesco. 

Alternative ingredients:

The Aromat seasoning I mentioned is definitely not a requirement for this dish. Alternative ingredients include any all-purpose seasoning you have in your cupboard or just regular sea salt. I’ve also started adding Italian herbs to my sweet potato fries. It’s not on this recipe or on the pictures – I only started doing it recently because I happen to have it in my cupboard. It adds extra fragrance to the fries but it’s not a necessity. 

Why I like this dish:

I love this dish because it’s so easy to make and perfect for pretty much any time a day. I can make it for lunch or just as a snack in between my lectures. Even when I was younger I would make this as a snack when I came home from school. I think I’m so attached to this dish because it just reminds me of my childhood living in different countries. 

What goes well with sweet potato fries:

You can eat this dish on its own or use it as a substitute for regular fries. I like eating sweet potato fries with a chicken kiev or a roasted chicken thigh. It also tastes delicious dipped in guacamole or hummus. 

Are sweet potato fries healthy?

Eating too many baked sweet potato fries is not necessarily healthy, however they are healthier than deep fried sweet potato fries and eating them in moderation is perfectly healthy. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. Sweet potatoes also contain fibre, as well as potassium and magnesium.

Hints and Tips:

• Don’t bake the fries at a too high heat, otherwise they will brown before being completely cooked inside

• Don’t use too much olive oil. Use enough to coat all the fries but not too much otherwise the fries won’t cook crispy, they’ll be soggy when you take them out of the oven

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Try these other potato dishes:

• Potato and Bacon Salad
• Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs with Potatoes
• Baked Potatoes with Cheddar, Bacon and Spring onions

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