Oven Baked Cripsy Sweet Potato Fries

My husband loves sweet potato fries.  I mean loves them.  If they are offered as a side dish with a burger, steak, etc, they are definitely his choice.  I love them too, but because they most often are fried and a little too greasy for me, I tend to stick with a side of greens.  No surprise there right…..I do love my greens and start my day out every morning with one of these smoothies.  Adding greens to your smoothie is one of the easiest ways to get more greens in your diet!  Don’t forget them!  Sorry, this is about fries not smoothies ……

The past few weeks I have been experimenting with baked sweet potato fries. Good thing they are good for us! 

As a runner I am always looking for healthy carbohydrate sources and Sweet Potatoes are not only nutritious, but delicious too. Nutritionally they are a powerhouse: Rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber if you leave the skin on, beta carotene (a vitamin A equivalent nutrient), vitamin C, and vitamin B6.

They also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components and we all know how important those nutrients are for runners right!  You do now.  Ok….I could go on and on for hours about the health benefits of sweet potatoes, but than this post would get really long!  Plus I may loose you…so click here if you want to learn more.

I have also learned it’s what you consume the night before a longer run that is more important than your morning breakfast, especially when it comes to getting enough carbs.  Yes I love pasta, what runner doesn’t but some times I am just not in the mood for noodles.  Solution….sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes, olive oil and your choice of spices baked 45 minutes in the oven. That simple.
Texture-wise baked sweet potato fries are just as good as “regular” fried sweet potato fries.
Flavor-wise, I personally think they’re better tasting and of course better for you!

So without further ado…here’s the recipe.  ENJOY!

OVEN BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

INGREDIENTS:  

• 2 medium organic sweet potatoes, washed (do not peel)
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Cut sweet potatoes into pencil-size fries.
3. Soak in a large bowl of ice water 1 hour.
4. Drain, rinse and pat dry.
5. Toss fries with oil and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.  (feel free to add other spices here)
6. Lay fries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 45 minutes.
7. Sprinkle with remaining salt.
8. Broil 1 minute or so if you prefer them crispier like my husband!
9. Let sit on top of stove 5 minutes before serving