Healthy Spiced Sweet Potato Fries

Contributing Writer: Leslie Cates

This delicious side makes an appearance at our table on a regular basis in the fall, when my attention is drawn to vegetables with a beautiful orange hue.  Sweet potatoes are one of those favorites!  They are very rich in nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and one of the highest foods in beta-carotene.  Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A, which is healthy for our vision and bone development and our immunity.  This is a power packed little veggie that’s, not to mention, one of the most delicious things God has given us!  When roasted the natural sugars are released, and they caramelize and sweeten without any addition of sugar at all!

These fries are a very simple recipe that you can make on a week night.  They are oven-baked instead of fried, so it’s less messy to cook and healthier than the traditional version, too!  When they’re in the oven, you can be preparing the rest of your meal.  They’ll add a fun twist to your burger nights and taste wonderful with grilled chicken!  The fries are seasoned with chili powder and cinnamon to compliment the naturally sweet potato.  After roasting, I drizzle them with smoked honey to make them irresistible!  They are a bit spicy and a bit sweet and are melt in-your-mouth- good.  Your children with be asking you for these sweet potato fries!

2 Sweet Potatoes

2 heaping Tbsp. Olive Oil

1/2 tsp. Chili Powder

1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

1 tsp. Salt

Honey (I prefer raw honey)

Smoked Paprika

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Slice the potatoes in half width-wise, then half length-wise.  Proceed to slice potatoes into small wedges.  Please be careful-sweet potatoes are more difficult to cut than white potatoes.

 In a small bowl, combine the spices.  I use a heaping scoop of the chili powder because I like the contrast.  Feel free to adjust to suit your family’s taste.

In a medium-sized bowl, drizzle olive oil on fries and sprinkle with seasoning mixture.  Stir until combined.

 On a pan that has been lightly sprayed with oil, spread the potatoes out where they’re not crowded.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Stir. Turn up the oven to 425 degrees and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until crispy around the edges.  (They will smell lovely!)

 Once they’re baked, drizzle a mixture of smoked honey and finish with a sprinkle of salt.  Enjoy while hot!

Serves 4