Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

I started my search for the perfect baked sweet potato fry recipe last year when Reed really started eating "big boy" food.  I'm kind of a freak when it comes to Reed's eating habits; I introduce "healthy", new foods as often as possible.  Last summer we found ourselves spending a lot of time on the go, and Reed would eat these fries warm from the oven at home (yum-o!) or cold when he was teething while we were on the go (eewww).

I've perfected this recipe over the past year.  These fries are crispy, and flavorful.  We never have leftovers.  In fact, when I made them for this post, my husband didn't even get to eat any!  Sorry, honey!  I'll make more! FYI, they do have a little kick to them, so if you are making these for a really little one (like introducing solids-18 months), you may want to cut back on some of the spices.  As usual, I'll include the recipe at the end of this post.

Apparently, I don't think I need sweet potatoes. I love my index card recipes!

We made these fries this past week on a beautiful weeknight.  My sister came over to help take pictures and the boys were in and out of the house, Oliver was in the yard digging his pseudo-holes, and we had the old Muppets show on the TV.  Paradise.

If you have sweet potatoes at home, you probably already have everything else you need.  This recipe is really simple and easy.

Start off by trimming the ends of the sweet potatoes so they are fry-sized in length.

Next, peel the potatoes.  This is my least favorite part.  I'd make Reed do it, but that is unloving, dangerous, and negligent.  Plus, he's too busy with his "new piano".  I'm burnt toast now!  Just kidding.  Kind of.

I try to make each potato even before I slice it.  Sweet potatoes can be really weird looking sometimes.  They are not as fry-friendly as regular potatoes, when it comes to cutting them, anyway.  After trimming them, I slice them down the middle, and then slice each half again.  It helps to have a really sharp knife.

Next, cut them into fries.  Sheesh- my hands are white!!  I'll try to get a little more tan for y'all.

Time for the seasoning!  Melt a half of a stick of butter in a small bowl in the microwave.  Add your spices and the melted butter to the potatoes.  I have here (about) one teaspoon of salt, a half a teaspoon each of pepper and paprika, and a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder.  Although, I must admit I ALWAYS go a little heavier on the spices, and I rarely actually measure them.  But I did this time for you.

Stir everything around so the fries are all coated evenly.

Spray some cooking spray on a baking sheet and spread the fries out evenly.  Make sure they have plenty of room to groove- no crowding!  Bake these guys at 450 degrees for 20 minutes or so, turning them occasionally.

One of my favorite dips in the whole wide world is ketchup and tartar sauce mixed together.  Maybe a lot of people do this, maybe I'm weird, but I love this on any kind of fry.  This mixture is especially tasty with these sweet potato fries.  Our boys are totally in the dipping phase right now, too.

Well look who decided to show up!  I called in a Matt and an Oliver.  I'm telling you, kids love these fries, and they smell GOOD!  Matt is a growing boy,  Oliver is just a mooch.

We made three potatoes-worth of fries, and they were gone in five minutes.  Seriously. The boys were eating them with both hands (maybe I was, too!)  They are sweet, a little spicy, and perfectly crispy.  Plus, I like to think they are a little healthier than regular, old fries.  Let's just say they are!
Let me know if you try them!  Enjoy!

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:
- Three sweet potatoes
- 4 T butter
- 1 t salt
- 1/2 t pepper
- 1/2 t paprika
- 1/4 t garlic powder

Peel and slice sweet potatoes.  Coat potatoes in melted butter and spices.  Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes, turning occasionally.