An easy and healthy baked sweet potato fries recipe with chili lime sauce that yield perfectly crispy, roasted fries straight from the oven! Coated with a chili lime seasoning that is a little sweet, a little salty, and a little spicy!
A few weeks ago Tom and I ate the best baked sweet potatoes I had ever had in my entire life. They were from a little place up in his hometown in Connecticut called El Pollo Guapo and we just happened to stop in on a Friday for some lunch.
We were deciding between a couple the sides and asked the woman behind the counter what her favorites were. She immediately said the sweet potato fries and I was sold. I already secretly wanted them, but her suggestion was enough to even push Tom into it.
The fries were so amazing. They were seasoned with the most delicious chili lime seasoning. Slightly crispy on the outside, but perfectly soft in the middle. Easily the best sweet potato fries I had ever had in my life.
The sweetness from the sweet potatoes paired perfectly with the tang from the lime, the heat from the cayenne, and the smokiness from the chili powder.
I left that lunch so excited to try and recreate a version for the blog. I knew they had to be just like El Pollo Guapo, but baked instead of fried.
These crispy baked chili lime sweet potato fries turned out absolutely to die for and so similar to the restaurant's version. We use a few different techniques to ensure that the outside gets nice and crispy, while the inside stays fluffy and soft.
I love these sweet potato fries, and if you love sweet potatoes too, you have to try my Glazed Sweet Potatoes soon!
How to make crispy sweet potato fries
First things first. Wash your sweet potatoes. I know there are three sweet potatoes in this photo, however I only used two in the actual recipe. Last minute decision made by me and realizing that I probably didn't need to cook three sweet potatoes in one sitting, rookie mistake cause I ate these up so fast.
Next is the optional step to soak the sweet potato fries in cold water. This helps remove excess starch on the outside and makes the fries even crispier. Note: for this recipe, I used thicker wedges, but cut smaller if you want even more crisp.
You'll then pat your fries completely dry. I like to lay mine out on a pan to dry.
While the wedges are drying, make your chili lime sauce. Mix together your oil, lime juice, chili powder, pepper, garlic powder, and pinch of cayenne powder. Notice that I didn't say salt. You will want to salt your fries after they are done cooking. Salt draws water and we want these to stay as crispy as possible!
Toss your fries with arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, or cornstarch. Another step taken to getting crispy fries.
Pour chili lime mixture into bag and shake, shake, shake until completely coated.
Lay your fries out a parchment lined baking sheet and then bake! Flipping once, about halfway through, to cook evenly.
Done!
We paired these crispy fries with my Cajun Parmesan Salmon, steamed broccoli, and a nice glass of wine.
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
Crispy Baked Chili Lime Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 425F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and cut sweet potato fries, then place them in a tub of cold water for at least one hour.
- After an hour, take fries out of water and dry off completely.
- While fries are drying, whisk together oil, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne.
- Place dried fries in a bag or large mixing bowl and add arrowroot starch.
- Toss until fries are completely coated, then add the chili lime sauce.
- Toss again until completely coated and place fries evenly on baking sheet
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip each fry.
- Bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown. If cutting fries smaller, try 15 minutes on one side, then 10 minutes on the other.
- Season with salt after taking out of oven!
Tricia says
My family is very picky.
They liked these.
Will take less time if baked in the air fryer. Pay attention so they don’t burn.
Erin says
Hi Tricia, so happy they were a hit!! 🙂
Susanne says
Any reason I couldn't prep them the day before and bake them the next? Soak, dry, then toss and refridgerate for next day?
Erin says
Hi Susanne, yep that should be fine! Let me know how they come out for you!
Sheila says
Could you please use frozen sweet potato fries?
Erin says
Hi Sheila, yep that should work. You'd just want to adjust the baking time to whatever the instructions are on the bag of fries.
Chris says
Ok, so I just stumbled across this recipe, haven fallen out of love with sweet potatoes.... It is great, real simple. One thing to note is if you get black bits they ain't over cooked! Just crispy.
Love my sweet pots again
Ps.... Used corn flour
Erin says
Hi Chris, so happy you loved them so much!
Jenna says
I have made these several times. My husband and I love them. They always turn out perfect in the air fryer. Thanks for the awesome recipe, Erin!
Erin says
Hi Jenna, so happy you both loved the fries!!
Sophie says
Amazing! Skipped the soaking part because I was short for time and they still turned out perfect 👌🏼
Erin says
Hi Sophie, so glad you loved the fries!!
Caty says
So easy and such a great flavor combo! Loved these so much. Another creative way to change up sweet potato fries.
Erin says
Hi Caty, so glad you enjoyed the fries!!
YtheWait says
Looks so good, can’t wait to try it!
Erin says
Hi! Thanks and let me know how they come out for you!
Medhyps.Com says
Use mandoline to slice sweet potatoes to desired thickness. Gently toss sweet potatoes with oil to coat, and spread on parchment-lined baking sheet.
Erin says
Hi! Thanks for the kind words and happy you made it your own! 🙂
Elena says
Drooling ? Do you think I could make these in an air fryer?
Erin says
Totally!!! Just microwave for a few minutes first to soften the potato!!