Smoky Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These Sweet Potato Fries are the best of all worlds for a Summer BBQ outside with friends. Naturally Gluten Free, Baked (instead of Fried) and Bursting with Flavor.
GLUTEN FREE SIDE
6/20/20262 min read
Smoky Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These Smoky Baked Sweet Potato Fries are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with sweet, smoky flavor. A blend of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion creates the perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite. Served with a creamy smoky maple dipping sauce, these fries make an easy side dish, appetizer, or snack that everyone will love.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredient Breakdown
Sweet Potatoes
The star of the recipe, sweet potatoes become tender and caramelized in the oven while providing natural sweetness.
Olive Oil
Helps the seasoning stick to the fries and encourages browning during baking.
Brown Sugar
Adds a touch of sweetness that complements the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes.
Smoked Paprika
Provides rich smoky flavor and beautiful color.
Mayonnaise
Creates a creamy base for the dipping sauce. Greek yogurt would work great too.
Maple Syrup
Adds sweetness to the dip and pairs perfectly with the smoky seasoning. Other liquid sweetener like Agave would work great as well.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Fries
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into Thick Cut Fries
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
For the Smoky Maple Dip
½ cup mayonnaise (try Veganaise or Greek Yogurt for other options)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into fries. Larger-cut fries work especially well for this recipe.
Place the sweet potato fries in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.
Sprinkle the seasoning mixture generously over the fries and toss until evenly coated.
Arrange the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until tender and lightly browned.
While the fries are baking, make the dip by combining the mayonnaise, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and salt in a small bowl.
Refrigerate the dip until ready to serve.
Serve the warm fries alongside the chilled smoky maple dip.
Notes
For crispier fries, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.
Cut the fries into similar sizes for even cooking. Smaller cut fries will cook faster.
Add extra cayenne pepper for more heat.
Swap the maple dip for your favorite barbecue sauce. Try my Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Air fry at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce (Link in Photo)