Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Za’atar and Tahini

You can make crispy, golden sweet potato fries in the oven, no deep frying required! This easy recipe will teach you how, plus I’ll show you my favorite Mediterranean-style seasonings.

After much testing, I have three quick tips to make restaurant-level sweet potato fries in the oven: soak your potatoes, don’t crowd the pan, and make sure to flip the fries! 

Sweet potatoes are one of the most nutrient-dense root vegetables you can eat. Check out the USDA for their full nutrient profile, which includes loads of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also easy to cook, naturally full of flavor, and very satisfying.

This baked sweet potato fries recipe, with its mix of Mediterranean spices and perfectly crispy-tender texture, is an easy go-to side the whole family will love. I like to serve them with a bit of homemade tahini sauce for dipping, but the possibilities are endless. 

Table of Contents

1. Ingredients for Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
2. How to Make Sweet Potato Fries in the Oven
3. Ways to Mix it Up
4. What to Serve with Sweet Potato Fries 
5. More Sweet Potato Recipes
6. Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Za’atar and Tahini Recipe

Ingredients for Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I like to balance the potato’s sweetness with bright and aromatic Mediterranean spices. Here’s what I use:

• Sweet potatoes: I love everything about sweet potatoes, but if you’re not a fan you can use this same recipe and use Russet potatoes. Just bake them at 400°F for about 20 minutes per side. 
• Extra virgin olive oil: Coats the potatoes, allowing them to crisp in your oven. Many believe that baking with olive oil is unhealthy, but this has been debunked time and time again. Simply use a high-quality extra virgin variety, which is a stable oil high in antioxidants.
  • READ MORE: Cooking with Olive Oil: Everything You Need to Know
  • TRY IT: Find world-class Mediterranean olive oils at our shop.  
• Seasoning: Salt is always a must; It brings out the flavor and prevents the food from tasting flat. You can take many paths with the seasoning from there. I used aromatic and bright za’atar, sweet Spanish paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat. 
• Homemade tahini sauce: Nutty, creamy, and savory, tahini sauce is the sweet potatoes perfect match! This is optional, but I love the combo of tahini and sweet potato.

How to Make Sweet Potato Fries in the Oven

Many readers ask if they really need to soak the potatoes, both for these sweet potato fries and my Greek oven fries. I’ve tried it both ways and found that removing the starch does make them crispier. You can skip this step if you’re short on time, but if you’d like the crispiest baked sweet potato fries possible, I promise you it is worth the extra step!

When it comes to placing them on the sheet pan, make sure to space out your potatoes. Use two pans if necessary, as crowding causes the potatoes to steam and get floppy. Finally, flip them over midway through baking. Turning all the fries really does make a big difference. Trust me! Here’s how to make the crispiest, most beautifully golden sweet potatoes in your oven: 

• Prep the sweet potatoes. Scrub 3 medium sweet potatoes and cut them into wedges or thick sticks (1/4-inch thick or so). Place in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight. This removes the excess starch and helps the fries crisp up. Drain and rinse out the bowl and dry it well.
• Meanwhile, get ready to bake. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. 
• Season the sweet potatoes. Pat the fries dry and return them to the dry bowl. Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil (about 2 to 3 tablespoons). Toss to make sure all the fries are well-coated with the oil. Mix the seasonings of your choice in a small bowl—I used 2 teaspoons za’atar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Add to the fries and toss to evenly coat.
• Roast the sweet potato fries. Transfer the fries to the prepared sheet pan and space them apart without touching. (Do not crowd the pan, or the fries will not crisp; Use 2 pans if necessary.) Bake in the heated oven for about 15 minutes, then carefully remove the pan to flip the fries over, making sure they are still spaced apart. Bake until cooked through and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Finish and serve. Remove from heat and season with salt. Sprinkle with more of the spices to your liking. Transfer the fries to a cooling rack and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving with tahini on the side for dipping.

Ways to Mix it Up

This sweet potato fries recipe is such a handy side dish, as you can easily adjust the seasoning to fit the flavors of your main. Here are some swaps:

• Change the seasoning: Italian seasoning (I make my own), warming baharat, savory ras el hanout, or simply dried Greek oregano all come to mind. 
• All of the Dips! If you love garlic, try Whipped Toum. If you love spicy, stir harissa paste into Aioli. Or take an herbal route with Zhoug (Spicy Cilantro Sauce).

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Fries 

You can, of course, go for a classic burger and fries situation. Light and lemony Salmon burgers nicely balance the richness of the potatoes, but Turkey or Chicken burgers are also good.

That said, I typically use sweet potato fries to make a lighter meal more satisfying. The sweetness goes particularly well with spicy, smoky flavors, like Harissa Honey Chicken. Add a cooling Creamy Cucumber Salad to round out the meal.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

How To

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes Whole

Sides and Small Plates

Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey Tahini and Sesame Seeds

Salads

Sweet Potato Salad with Pearl Couscous and Honey-Lemon Dressing

Entree

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas and Avocado Crema

Browse all Mediterranean recipes. 
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*This post first appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2016 and has recently been updated with new information and images for readers’ benefit. Enjoy!