Getting perfectly crispy sweet potato fries can be tricky. There are a few key things that can lead to soggy or soft sweet potato fries when you’re trying to make them at home. The good news is that with some easy tweaks to your technique, you can get restaurant-quality crunchy sweet potato fries every time. In this article, we’ll go over the top reasons your sweet potato fries are coming out limp and mushy, and how to fix them.
Why Are My Sweet Potato Fries Soggy?
Here are the most common culprits behind soft and soggy sweet potato fries:
You’re Not Cutting the Fries Thin Enough
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to get crispy sweet potato fries is cutting them too thick. Thicker fries will take longer to cook through to the center, which means you’ll end up overcooking the outside trying to get the inside tender. For ultra crispy fries, you want them to be between 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. Any thicker and it becomes hard to get them crispy without burning.
You’re Not Blanching the Fries First
Blanching is a key step that helps remove excess moisture from the surface of the sweet potatoes. It involves briefly boiling or frying the sweet potato fries before the final frying. This pre-cooks the fries slightly to help drive off moisture. Skipping this step means all that water is still present when you try to crisp them up, resulting in soggy fries.
You’re Not Drying the Fries Properly After Blanching
After blanching the fries, it’s crucial to dry them thoroughly before frying again. Give them a good shake in a colander or pat them with paper towels. Any residual moisture left on the surface will cause splattering once they hit the hot oil, leading to soft fries.
You’re Crowding the Fryer
When frying the sweet potato fries, be sure not to overload the pan or fryer basket. Crowding will bring down the oil temperature significantly. With less direct contact with hot oil, the fries will steam rather than fry, making them limp. Fry in smaller batches for best results.
You’re Not Frying at a High Enough Temperature
Crispy sweet potato fries require getting the oil hot enough to quickly caramelize and crisp the exterior before the inside overcooks. The ideal frying temperature for sweet potatoes is around 375°F to 400°F. Any cooler, and the fries will soak up oil and turn out greasy without browning. Be sure to monitor the temp with a deep fry or candy thermometer.
You’re Using the Wrong Oil
The type of oil used for frying makes a difference in getting the perfect crisp texture. Oils with a high smoke point like peanut and vegetable oil work best. Olive oil can burn and overheat at high frying temperatures. Additionally, the flavor of olive oil is a bit too robust for letting the sweet potato flavor shine.
Tips for Making Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Follow these top tips for getting deliciously crunchy sweet potato fries every time:
Choose the Right Sweet Potatoes
Go for firm, dry sweet potatoes without any bruises or soft spots. The denser orange-fleshed varieties tend to fry up better than the softer yellow-fleshed ones.
Cut Evenly Sized Fries
Cut fries as close to 1/4 inch thick as possible, with all the fries approximately the same thickness for even cooking. Try using a mandoline for perfect uniform planks.
Rinse and Dry Fries Before Blanching
Giving the sliced fries a quick rinse then patting dry helps remove excess starch for better crisping.
Double Fry for Maximum Crispness
Blanch at 325°F for 2-3 minutes until barely tender, then allow to fully dry before the second fry at 375°F until deeply golden brown.
Use a Thermometer to Maintain Oil Temperature
Heating the oil properly is key. Invest in a good thermometer and continuously verify the temp.
Fry in Smaller Batches
No more than a handful of fries in the basket at once to prevent temperature drop.
Allow Fries to Drain and Cool Slightly Before Serving
Letting the fries rest out of the fryer a few minutes makes them ultra crispy. Sprinkle with salt right after draining.
How to Store Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Once you’ve perfected your crispy fries, you’ll want to know the best way to keep them fresh and crunchy. Here are some storage tips:
Let Fries Cool Completely Before Storing
Transfer fried fries to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to allow them to cool down. Hot fries will get soggy in storage.
Store in an Airtight Container
Place completely cooled fries in a rigid airtight container, plastic freezer bag, or zip-top bag. Press out excess air before sealing to prevent condensation from forming.
Refrigerate for Up to 5 Days
Crispy fries will last for about 5 days in the fridge. Make sure they are completely cooled before refrigerating.
Reheat in a Hot Oven
For crispy reheated fries, spread them on a baking sheet and reheat in a 400°F oven for 4-5 minutes. They won’t get as crispy as the initial fry, but will still have some crunch.
Freeze for Up to 3 Months
Blanching the fries before freezing helps them hold up better. Let fries cool fully then freeze in a single layer on a sheet pan before transferring to bags. Reheat frozen fries by baking, not frying.
Common Sweet Potato Fries FAQs
Still have some lingering questions about making sweet potato fries? Check out answers to some of the most common questions below:
Should I Soak Sweet Potato Fries Before Frying?
Soaking sweet potato fries can make them soggy. It’s best to skip this step and just rinse, dry, and blot fries before frying.
Is There a Substitute for Blanching?
You can skip blanching if you prepared the fries by dehydrating or baking them first to remove moisture. Blanching helps remove water and ensures crispy fries.
Can I Use an Air Fryer for Sweet Potato Fries?
Yes, air fryers can make crispy sweet potato fries without all the oil! Cut fries the same 1/4 to 1/2 inch size. mist with oil, and air fry at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, shaking halfway.
Should I Season Sweet Potato Fries Before or After Frying?
Season with salt or other spices right after draining fries while they’re still hot. Seasoning before can lead to burned spices in the fryer.
What Dipping Sauces Go Well with Sweet Potato Fries?
Sweet and savory sauces like honey mustard, chipotle ranch, blue cheese, barbecue, or buffalo all complement the natural sweetness of sweet potato fries.
The Best Methods for Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
To summarize, here are two tried and true methods for getting perfect crispy sweet potato fries:
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
| Ingredients | Step |
|---|---|
| 2 lbs sweet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch fries | 1. Toss fries in 1 Tbsp oil on a baking sheet |
| 1 Tbsp olive oil | 2. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes |
| 1/2 tsp salt | 3. Flip and bake 15 more minutes until browned |
The hot, dry environment of the oven removes moisture as the fries bake, so no blanching is needed. Cutting fries uniformly thin ensures they cook and crisp evenly. Flipping halfway through prevents soft spots.
Double Fried Sweet Potato Fries
| Ingredients | Step |
|---|---|
| 2 lbs sweet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch fries | 1. Blanch at 325°F for 2-3 minutes |
| Peanut or vegetable oil for frying | 2. Drain and dry fries thoroughly |
| 1/2 tsp salt | 3. Fry at 375°F until deep golden brown |
| 4. Drain and season immediately with salt |
The initial lower temp blanch coagulates starches and cooks fries through, then the second fry makes them ultra crispy. Drying thoroughly between fries is essential.
Conclusion
With the right techniques like double frying, blanching, and proper drying, you can get restaurant-quality crispy sweet potato fries at home. Be sure to start with evenly cut and rinsed fries, use a thermometer to monitor oil temp, fry in small batches, and drain on paper towels. Follow these steps for irresistibly crunchy fries every time. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!