An Inspired Cook

Sweet Potatoes are the ultimate superfood packed full of Vitamin A with a major source of skin-protecting beta-carotene as well as having 28% more potassium than a banana. Those are just some of the reasons to love sweet potatoes but what I love are the savory ways you can make them taste so good.  I’m definitely in the minority when it comes to sweet potatoes in this family and although the guys may not be fans, I still make them as a treat for myself.  Baked whole with lots of butter or salty garlic fries are my favorite.  These fries are made easy, seasoned and baked with a drizzle of olive oil to crisp up nicely for a healthier side dish.

Since it’s just me, I’m making one big ole sweet potato with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.  For a little kick add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

I’ve found peeling a sweet potato is a little harder than a russet but I got it done!

Slice them to the thickness you want.  Remember that slicing too thick may produce a fry too soft, go too thin and they may burn on the outside.

These fries are a nice size.

I find that microwaving your fries for a couple minutes helps them to cook quicker inside and allows them to crisp to perfection on the outside.  Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes then microwave on high a couple minutes per potato.

Make sure to cover them while they are in the microwave to steam.  You can test them with a fork or knife to see if they have softened up a bit. If they are still hard, microwave a minute more on high.

Spread them on a baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Try to make a single layer so that they can cook on all sides.  Sprinkle a generous amount of seasoning on the fries and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 – 18 minutes then flip over to cook an additional 12 – 15 minutes.

You can see they’ve reduced in size and crisped up on the outside.

Love that salty garlicky goodness!





Sweet Potato Fries

1 large Sweet Potato, sliced medium and cut into fries
Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
**Pinch of Cayenne for a spicier blend

Combine salt, garlic powder and black pepper together.  Set aside.

Cut sweet potato into fries and place in a microwave safe bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Microwave covered on high 2 – 3 minutes per potato.  Test with a fork to see if the sweet potato is soft after 2 minutes.  If needed microwave another minute on high.

Place fries single file on a baking pan so they are not touching.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and garlic seasoning.  Bake at 400 degrees 15 – 18 minutes.  When the fries begin to brown and caramelize on the bottom, turn the fries over to bake an additional 12 – 15 minutes on the other side.

Taste and season with additional seasoning if desired.