Learn the secrets to make perfect crispy sweet fries every single time! These Baked Spicy Sweet Potato Fries are a delicious Whole30, paleo, or vegan side.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and place the rack on an upper third rung.
Peel your sweet potatoes, and cut them down the middle. Take each half, and make thin slices the long way. From each slice, make matchsticks. Try for uniform slices for even baking. Pro tip: you can leave the skin on if you'd like. Try for organic sweet potatoes if you prefer them with skin.
Soak them in a bowl of ice water for 30-60 minutes. Strain through a colander and rinse. Pat dry.
Dry out the same bowl and add the sweet potatoes. Combine the potato starch and spices and toss to make sure all the potatoes are coated. Drizzle oil over and toss to coat.
Place the fries on two baking sheets and spread them out to make sure they're not touching each other. Pro tip: two sheets makes sure the fries are afforded even baking. If you crowd the pan the fries will steam instead of crisp up.
Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Bake for 18 minutes, flip. Bake until they have reached your desired level of crispiness (about 8-12 minutes).
Air Fryer Instructions
Preheat air fryer at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Add the sweet potato fries and cook for 10 minutes. Toss. Bake for another 5 minutes and see if they are at your desired level of "doneness".
If you want them crispier, continue to cook, checking on them in 2-minute intervals.
Notes
To make these spicy sweet potato fries paleo you can use arrowroot powder. If you don't follow Whole30 or a paleo lifestyle, you can also use cornstarch.You can soak the fries for up to 18 hours, which means you can meal prep the fries ahead of time.