Description
This recipe features crispy oven-baked sweet potato fries paired with a smoky and tangy chipotle lime dipping sauce. Perfectly seasoned and easy to prepare, these fries offer a delicious alternative to traditional fries with a flavorful mayo-based dip that enhances their natural sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sweet Potato Fries
- 4 sweet potatoes or yams
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
For the Chipotle Lime Dip
- 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Chipotle Lime Dip: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, ground chipotle powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until all spices are fully incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the fries evenly and achieving a crispy texture.
- Cut the Sweet Potatoes: Peel (if desired) and slice the sweet potatoes into long fries, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick sticks, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Coat the Fries: Place the cut sweet potato sticks into a large Ziploc bag. Add just enough vegetable oil to lightly coat all the fries. Seal the bag tightly and toss gently to distribute the oil evenly over each piece.
- Arrange for Baking: Spread the sweet potato fries evenly in a single layer on a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to prevent sticking. Avoid overcrowding to help them crisp up properly.
- Bake the Fries: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Turn the fries frequently, every 10-15 minutes, to ensure they brown evenly on all sides and become crispy.
- Season: Once the fries are lightly browned and cooked through, remove them from the oven and immediately sprinkle with kosher salt to taste while still hot for enhanced flavor.
- Serve: Serve the crispy sweet potato fries warm alongside the chilled chipotle lime dipping sauce for a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Prepare the dipping sauce a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for flavors to deepen.
- Storage: Keep leftover dip refrigerated for 5–7 days. Freezing the dip is not recommended to avoid separation of the mayo base.
- Adjust the Spice: For a milder dip, reduce the chipotle and chili powder amounts. To increase heat, add cayenne pepper or sriracha to taste.
- Lighter Variation: Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or light sour cream to create a lighter, tangier dip.
- Sweet Twist: Incorporate a tablespoon of maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar into the dip for a sweet and smoky flavor enhancement.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
