Sweet Potato Fries

Happy fry-day! Who’s as ready for the weekend as I am?

I'm not sure what I'm gonna tell you about sweet potato fries that you don’t already know? They’re sweet potatoes and they're fried—you can’t go wrong. I love fried starch! But really, who doesn’t? Let’s all remember that National Potato Month is September. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with french fries!

Sweet potato fries have a reputation for being more difficult to make than regular french fries, and for that reason many people just bake them instead. But I thought this recipe was easy as far as traditional frying methods go. I mean, it’s not stick-it-in-your-oven-to-bake-for-30-minutes easy, but it gets the job done. Aside from finding a place to put the oil after you're done frying, it's about the same amount of clean up as baking them.

Finally, and sadly, I found out sweet potato fries are not any healthier than traditional french fries. In fact, sweet potato fries are HIGHER in calories than french fries. I know—we've all been lied to. My whole life I was told sweet potatoes were the healthier option—foiled from eating regular, crispy, traditional french fries and having the (often) soggier, more expensive (!), sweet potato fries instead. I’m considering my legal options and you should too.

Fear not—you’ve entered a safe space. These homemade sweet potato fries are much easier than other blogs tout, cheaper than restaurants who charge you an egregious $2+ for the substitution and crispy to boot!

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Notes

Wine Pairing Suggestions

My favorite part of this recipe is not the food itself but what I get to drink with it! Did you know that champagne and french fries are considered by sommeliers as a classic wine and food pairing? Any excuse to pop open a bottle of bubbly is good enough for me! Bonus if you pick a champagne that has a touch of sweetness which would complement the fatty, salty sweetness of the fries very well.

Cheers!

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Sweet Potato Fries

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato

• ¾ cup cornstarch

• 1 cup very cold water

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/8 teaspoon sugar

• 4-6 cups of a high heat frying oil

Instructions

1. Begin heating your oil in a large heavy bottomed pot. Using a frying thermometer, heat your oil until your thermometer reads 400 degrees F.

2. Cut your sweet potatoes into long sticks. The bigger you leave your pieces, the longer you’ll have to cook them. The thinner you leave your strips, the crispier they will be.

3. In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water. Place the cut sweet potatoes in the bowl and coat them with the cornstarch mixture.

4. In batches, fry the sweet potatoes for 7-10 minutes, or until they are cooked though and crispy.

5. In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika and sugar.

6. When your fries are done, place them on a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle the spice mixture on them while they’re fresh out of the fryer.

Enjoy!

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