Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
You'd think when they turn into teens, kids would catch on to your little secrets. You know, like telling them "eat the crusts from the sandwich, they're really good for you!". Or "Try this smoothie... you'll love it. It's Orange Mango!" and then you stuff it with avocado or spinach and they don't know the difference. I've been filling pancakes, muffins, brownies etc with all kinds of secret super food ingredients for years and while the kids now know I do that, they really don't know when I do it.
Shape though, is a whole different matter. Shape isn't something you can hide, but I do know that pancakes shaped like dinosaurs or hearts have always been more popular than just plain round. And today, sweet potatoes became just that much sweeter because they were crinkle cut.
Last week I made these same Baked Sweet Potato Fries for Liv and she turned her nose up at them.
"I don't like sweet potato.", she said, and she didn't touch a one.
So today I used my Crisp Wavy Knife. When I served them to her this time I told her, "Hey... try these fries. . You love crinkle cut things!" and she exclaimed, "You know it!!", and then polished off a full serving. Teens... Go figure.
As such, our sweet potato fries will henceforth be wavy cut... And I have just the tool you need to make your own, way better than the normal cut Wavy Cut Baked Sweet Potato Fries.
I "met" Crisp Tools last year at the International Food Blogger Conference in Seattle where they promoted their line with a gift of a super handy zester to the attendees.
Well made and perfectly balanced in my hand, this tool has received a workout since it arrived in my kitchen, but what I also brought home was a feel for the company.
I still remember the happy and friendly people who represented, smiling faces you simply wanted to hang out and chat with. The Crisp representatives made an impression on me and when they later asked if I'd like to review more of their tools it was my turn to exclaim, "You know it!".
I'd promised to have this review up before the holidays, but my husband's illness and time in the hospital set me back a full month and a half. While Crisp has my apologies for an extremely "unprompt" post, the extra weeks have given me even more time with the tools, and they've become regulars in my hands. The holidays even saw more arriving on my doorstep as I ordered for foodie friends.
I'm not exaggerating when I say I use one of these tools at least once a day. Receiving a set of three small strainers (used daily), the Wavy (crinkle cut) Knife and a straight peeler, these tools have had numerous runs through the dishwasher and have yet to show any wear.
We used Crisp Products in gift bags for teacher presents and hostess gifts for the holidays (My girlfriend loved the avocado slicer we ordered for her and my niece has gone melon ball crazy with her new melon ball set!) and the feedback from them is just as excited as mine. Just a thought... Mother's Day is right around the corner!
These bold tools with gracefully contoured and perfectly balanced handles fit beautifully in your hand and are comfortable for kids all the way through adults with arthritis. My mom has arthritis in her hands and mentioned that the angled peeler we ordered for her is easier to grasp and she is back to peeling apples for pie. Needless to say Dad is now a Crisp fan as well.
So... our many thanks to Crisp for sending us a care package. I'm always a fan of things that make my life easier, and you've done just that. Thank you.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Whether cut wavy or straight, these fries are a healthy alternative to fried versions and also somewhat irresistible. Note... we do think the wavy version tastes a bit better though. :)
- about 1 medium sized sweet potato per person, peeled
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- spices (optional - but my husband says a dash of cayenne is the best!)
Preheat oven to 425ºF.
Slice potatoes into evenly cut fries, then place into a bowl. Drizzle with just enough olive oil to coat. Add spice if using (note a small amount of cayenne goes a long way!), then toss the potatoes with your hands to coat evenly. Pour onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Spread fries evenly on the pan then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Place into the oven and bake about 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip the fries... I found this to be easiest with a large spatula and scooping a few at a time and flipping.
Once flipped, return to the oven until fries begin to brown - 10 to 15 minutes longer. The fries will lose their sheen and become ever so slightly "puffed" when they are ready. Remove when they are done to your liking - Liv prefers hers somewhat soft, while I love a crunch to mine and a nice browned (even slightly burnt!) finish. Keep a watchful eye and remove when they are to your liking.
Cool for a few minutes, then serve. Enjoy!
Liv Life Note: We've enjoyed these fries with smoked paprika, and also with a sprinkle of cumin and a squeeze of lime. Experiment for your favorite! Frankly though, my personal favorite is simply salt and pepper.
Liv Life Note 2: Make sure to cut the fries as close to the same size as possible to ensure even cooking.