Perfect Paleo Sweet Potato Fries Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

FAQs

Why are sweet potato fries never crispy? ›

The secret to crispy (instead of soggy) sweet potato fries is to spread them out in an even layer with enough room so that they don't touch. This is especially important if you're making a big batch of fries. Instead of just piling more onto one baking pan, spread them out over two baking pans or cook them in batches.

Yes — sweet potatoes are generally considered a paleo-approved food, however, some paleo dieters prefer to limit their consumption to avoid consuming too many carbohydrates that spike their blood sugar levels.

Sweet potato fries are slightly higher in calories and carbs but also more nutrient dense than French fries. The greatest nutrient difference is that French fries have no vitamin A, while sweet potato fries are high in this nutrient. Vitamin A is important for your vision and immune system ( 2 ).

Crispy baked paleo and Whole30 compliant sweet potato fries are not only possible, but easy to make, too! Served here with an insanely tasty, Whole30 compliant BBQ ranch dip that you'll want to put on everything. Kid approved, great for a fun snack, side dish, or appetizer any time!

Sweet potato fries at a restaurant also land in the 400-calorie neighborhood, and the fat content also averages 20 grams; sodium can add up quickly. Winner: Homemade and baked is always the way to go, and if that's how you make your fries, mix it up with both white and sweet potatoes.

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Strict paleo dieters exclude all grains from their diets — including rice — primarily due to their high phytate content. Although it's technically prohibited, many people still consume small amounts of white rice while following a paleo diet because it's lower in phytates, compared with other types.

Legumes, which include beans, peas, and lentils, are not included in the Paleo Plan because they are believed to be difficult to digest and may cause inflammation.

Paleo-Friendly Sweeteners

Raw honey might have been most prevalent to cavemen so this would be approved if you're going the paleo route! Maple syrup and molasses are also paleo. Maple syrup, in its purest form without any additives, is a naturally occurring sugar extracted from maple trees.

"With very similar nutrient profiles and the fact that deep frying either type of potato essentially makes both equally unhealthy, there's no real health benefit to choosing sweet potato fries over regular ones," adds Willingham.

Are sweet potato fries bad for cholesterol? ›

Sweet potato fries have fewer total lipid fats than French fries and contain virtually no saturated fats. If you need to closely monitor your cholesterol levels, sweet potato fries can be a healthier choice than French fries.

Instead of fast food sweet potato fries, frozen sweet potato fries are a healthier option. A 3-ounce serving of Alexia Sweet Potato Julienne Fries (about 12 pieces) has 140 calories, 5 grams fat, 8 grams carbohydrate, and 6 milligrams of sodium.

Potatoes of all varieties are in, but fries and chips are not. (This should not be a surprise. Fries and chips are about as Whole30 as Paleo Pop-Tarts.)

If this is your context, use white potatoes sparingly in your Whole30 meal plan, if at all. Plus, if you eat mashed potatoes with every dinner, you'll miss out on a world of colorful, nutrient-dense vegetables to explore. Bust out of your potato rut and discover a newfound love of Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or kale!

More Failproof Ways To Elevate Sweet Potato Fries

Along with adding starch, restaurants rely on vinegar to create tasty fries. Typically, they soak fries in water before frying.

My guess is you aren't blanching the sweet potato fries before you are frying them. In order to get crispy fries, of any type, you need to cook them twice. You begin by either boiling them in water, or frying them at 325, until they are just cooked through, but not so much that they lose their shape.

For best results, don't overcrowd them or your fries will not get crispy. The amount of fries per batch will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook for 15-18 minutes or until fries are cooked through, crispy, and golden brown, giving the air fryer basket a little shake halfway through cook time.

If they are still not crispy you might have skipped a step or you might not have let them cool down sufficiently. Make sure to cool them in a single even layer and also make sure that the oil has the right temperature. Or maybe you've used the wrong potatoes to make them.

Parboil them first if you're going to bake them

This can happen because the insides aren't quite cooked enough, but the outsides are beginning to dry out. Don't worry, sweet tuber lovers; there is a solution! This tip is a need-to-know to get the crispiest potato fries ever.