Description
Crispy and flavorful baked butternut squash fries that are a perfect healthy alternative to traditional fries. Coated in cornstarch and a blend of garlic, paprika, and thyme, these fries are oven-baked to a golden perfection and served warm with a herby mayo dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into sticks (use only long neck part)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dipping Sauce
- Mayo
- Fresh or dried herbs (such as parsley, chives, or dill) mixed into mayo for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even cooking.
- Prepare Butternut Squash Sticks: Place the peeled and cut butternut squash sticks into a large bowl. Pat them dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve crispiness. Sprinkle the cornstarch evenly over the squash sticks and use your hands to toss and coat them completely. Transfer the coated sticks to a colander and shake gently to remove any excess cornstarch.
- Season the Fries: Return the coated butternut squash sticks to the bowl. Add olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the fries are evenly coated with the oil and spices.
- Arrange for Baking: Spread the prepared fries in a single layer on the lined baking sheets, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Overcrowding can cause them to steam instead of crisp.
- Bake the Fries: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning and crispness.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked until tender and crisp, allow the fries to cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve them warm with your favorite herbed mayo dipping sauce for a delicious snack or side dish.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftover fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat and crisp them up, bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes or use a toaster oven.
- Substitutes: For a variation, you can substitute cornstarch with flour. You can also experiment with different herbs according to your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup fries)
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
