Why Are My Sweet Potato Fries Not Crispy?

If these spicy sweet potato fries do not turn out crispy, it could be due to the fact that they were not cut thinly enough. For best results, make sure you get a thin slice (1/4 inch thick fries similar to french fries) that make for easy frying, and you'll get perfectly crunchy sweet potato fries!

Do You Season Fries Before or After Frying?

When you season your sweet potato fries will depend on your method of cooking them. If you are deep-frying the fries as in this recipe, it's best to season them right after they are fried (when they are still wet with oil so the seasoning will stick to the fries). If you are baking or air frying the sweet potatoes, then it is best to season them before cooking.

Spicy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Description

Amazingly crispy, these spicy cinnamon sweet potato fries are the perfect side dish, appetizer or snack. Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too. Serve these with homemade Sriracha, garlic aioli, or pesto. Yum!

Ingredients

Scale

2 sweet potatoes
2 cups sunflower oil, for frying
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Heat Oil in Pot: Pour the sunflower oil in a pot or skillet and heat up the oil over medium high heat.
Peel and Cut Sweet Potatoes: While the oil is heating up in the pot, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into evenly thin straight sticks.
Test Oil for Readiness: After the oil has heated for at least 7 minutes it should be hot enough, but test by sticking in one sweet potato to see if it begins frying. Once it does, the oil is ready.
Fry Sweet Potato Sticks: Place the cut sweet potatoes straight into the hot oil. Once they have turned from a pale orange/pink to a dark burgundy orange they are done, about 6 minutes.
Prepare Seasoning Mixture: While the fries are cooking, mix all the seasonings together in a separate small bowl.
Transfer Fries to a Bowl: Remove the sweet potato fries from the oil and transfer them to a large bowl or plate.
Coat Fries with Seasoning: While the fries are still wet with oil sprinkle the cinnamon chili seasoning mix over the fries and mix them around to coat the fries evenly.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the sweet potato fries with a dip of choice and enjoy!

Notes

Sweet Potatoes: I like using fresh sweet potatoes when I have them, but feel free to use frozen sweet potato fries as well.

Oil: I like using sunflower oil because I always have a bottle of it around. However, you may use other vegetable oils for frying instead.

Cinnamon: Since this is a recipe for cinnamon sweet potato fries, ground cinnamon is a key ingredient because of the particular flavor it lends to the recipe. Make sure you include it, unless you don’t enjoy the taste of cinnamon.

Chili Powder: Adding chili powder gives these fries a kick of heat. You may also use ground red pepper, cayenne powder, ground paprika or ground black pepper if you prefer.

Garlic Powder: Adding garlic powder gives extra dimension to the flavor profile of these fries. Alternatively, you may use onion powder too.

Salt: I used normal table salt, but feel free to use fine Himalayan pink salt too.

Storing: These fries are best eaten just after they are cooked as they will lose their crispiness over time. If you do have leftover fries, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the fries in the oven or in the air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes before eating.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 mins
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American