Looking for a sweeter side dish? Break out a pan and some oil for this simple Fried Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Contrast is critical in some of the best side dishes around. Rather than just savory or sweet, why not combine these two qualities for a fabulous flavor explosion? The same goes for textures, like a crispy initial bite followed by melt-in-your-mouth softness. While a crisp exterior gives that satisfying “crunch,” a pillowy-soft inside lets us know we’re savoring something special.
Case in point: there’s a reason why fries have become such a popular side dish. When this starchy sidekick comes out of the fryer, it has a delicious golden-brown crust that hides a soft center.
While fries made with regular potatoes are delicious, they don’t have the most incredible nutritional profile. On the other hand, sweet potatoes have become a superfood sensation in recent years. As a bonus, this potato variety tastes pretty phenomenal. So why not fry them up?
If you’re searching for the ultimate mix of sweet, savory, crispy, and soft, these fried sweet potatoes are calling your name. Check out how easy it is to add this side to your dinner rotation.
Are Fried Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
There’s no mystery as to why sweet potatoes are considered a superfood. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, these orange-hued spuds have a lot to offer foodies who want to add a nutrient boost to the dinner table. Although some might object that frying on the stovetop isn’t as healthy as baking or boiling, it’s also not as unhealthy as deep-frying. The olive oil adds healthy fats to this dish, while paprika mixes in some flavor without artificial ingredients or extra calories.
One caveat: people living a low-carb lifestyle should probably avoid sweet potatoes. There’s no way to make a keto version of fried sweet potatoes. Instead, you’ll have to opt for other non-starchy “fries” made with veggies, like cauliflower or rutabaga.
What’s The Best Oil For Frying Sweet Potatoes?
When frying anything, the key to choosing an oil is to look for a high smoke point temperature. Unsurprisingly, this temp tells you when oil begins to “smoke” and thus break down. Since we’re going to use high temps to fry these sweet potatoes, you want to go with an oil that can withstand these intense conditions.
This recipe uses olive oil specifically for cooking rather than extra-virgin olive oil. Why? Cooking olive oil usually has a higher smoke point, while straight EVOO can’t withstand too much heat. Plus, the point of using EVOO is to get all of those grassy flavors and glorious nutrients, which go away when you expose it to high temps.
However, many other fantastic oils work well for frying sweet potatoes. Two top-tier choices that spring to mind are avocado oil and coconut oil. These options have reliably high smoke points.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Fried sweet potatoes will have the crispiest texture right after they come out of the hot pan, but you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. Keep your sweet potatoes well-sealed in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the oven or air fry them until they’re crispy again. Freezing fried sweet potatoes is not a great call, since they will get pretty soggy after they thaw.
Serving Suggestions
Any meal you’d expect to serve fries or mashed potatoes with also works great with fried sweet potatoes. “Pub grub” favorites like Baked Hamburgers, Chicken Pesto Sandwiches, or Grilled Chicken Wings are all great meals to serve alongside these crispy spuds. Sweet potatoes are also a great complement to many fish-based meals, like Poached Cod or Fish And Chips.
Just remember that fried sweet potatoes could also use their own dipping sauce! You could easily bump up the flavor of your fried sweet potatoes by serving them with some ketchup, BBQ Sauce, or Honey-Mustard Dip. I personally love to dip them in this decadent Garlic Mayo. Bonus points if you make a DIY sauce the night before, so you can enjoy a completely homemade meal.
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potato and cut it into small, 1/4-inch thick pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Place the sweet potato slices in the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and tender.
- Season with smoked paprika and salt, then toss to evenly coat the sweet potatoes. Cook for an additional minute.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately as a delightful side dish.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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