Irresistibly Crispy Sweet Potato Fries with Dreamy Maple Mustard Sauce
Craving a snack or side that's both sweet and savory? These crispy sweet potato fries with dreamy maple mustard sauce are baked or air-fried to perfection and are utterly irresistible!
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Fries:
- 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into fries
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tps paprika
For the Maple Mustard Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Pinch of garlic powder optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Get Started:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Soak sweet potato fries in cold water for 30 minutes.
Prepare Sweet Potato Fries:
- Drain sweet potatoes and dry them very well with a clean towel.
- In a large bowl, toss sweet potato fries with olive oil, cornstarch, salt, and paprika until evenly coated.
Bake or Air Fry:
- Baking: Arrange fries in a single layer on a baking sheet (use parchment paper for easier cleanup). Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Air Frying: Place fries in air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to cook in batches). Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking basket a few times, until golden brown and crispy.
Make Maple Mustard Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add a pinch of garlic powder and salt to taste, if desired. Mix well.
Serve:
- Serve sweet potato fries hot with maple mustard dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- For Extra Crispy Fries: Don't skip the soaking step! Soaking the sweet potato fries in cold water removes excess starch, which is key to achieving ultimate crispiness. Also, ensure the fries are dried thoroughly before tossing with oil and spices. Moisture is the enemy of crisp.
- Air Fryer Advantage: Using an air fryer will generally result in crispier fries compared to baking in the oven, and it often cooks them faster. If you have an air fryer, it's highly recommended for this recipe.
- Spice Level: Adjust the paprika to your preference. For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika. For a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the fries along with the paprika.
- Herb Infusion: Elevate your fries by tossing them with dried herbs before baking. Rosemary, thyme, or even a blend of Italian herbs work wonderfully. About 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs should be sufficient.
- Make it Vegan: Easily make the maple mustard sauce vegan by using your favorite vegan mayonnaise substitute. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly.
- Sweetness Preference: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, start with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and add more to taste. You can also balance the sweetness with an extra splash of apple cider vinegar for more tang.
- Serving a Crowd: This recipe is easily scalable. To make a larger batch, simply increase the ingredients proportionally. You may need to bake or air fry the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure crispiness.
- Dipping Sauce Variations: While maple mustard is the star, feel free to experiment with other dipping sauces. Spicy mayo (mix mayonnaise with sriracha or your favorite hot sauce), ranch dressing, or even a honey-mustard variation would also pair well with sweet potato fries.
- Freshness is Key: Sweet potato fries are best enjoyed immediately after cooking when they are at their crispiest. While reheating is possible (see FAQs), the texture is always best when they are freshly made.