Heart Healthy Sweet Potato French Fries

Are sweet potatoes heart healthy? You bet they are! They’re a nutritional powerhouse compared to regular potatoes. Here's why this is a healthier fry recipe:

• Rich in Antioxidants: Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants like beta-carotene, which makes sweet potatoes heart healthy and eye healthy!
• Fiber Power: This recipe uses whole sweet potatoes (including the nutritious skin), providing a good source of dietary fiber for gut health and satiety.
• Reduced Fat: Oven baking minimizes oil usage compared to deep-frying, making these fries low fat. And when it comes to the calories of sweet potato fries, you’ll be thrilled to know a serving is under 100 calories!
• Control Over Ingredients: Making homemade sweet potato fries allows you to control the amount of oil and salt used - definitely a healthier alternative to store-bought or fast food fries.

Making these healthy fries is surprisingly simple. Here are a few tips to make perfect homemade sweet potato fries:

• Choose firm, bright orange sweet potatoes for the best flavor and texture. Tip: Longer sweet potatoes are easier to cut into fries.
• Wash and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly before cutting.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized sticks - ideally around ¼-inch thick for consistent cooking. 
• Soak sweet potato sticks in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch and promote crispier fries. Pat dry thoroughly before tossing with oil and seasonings.
• If you don’t have a cooling rack, preheat your baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes before adding the sweet potato fries.
• While this sweet potato fries recipe is naturally vegetarian, omit the parmesan cheese for vegan fries.

These homemade sweet potato fries taste good on their own, but if you like to dip your fries, here are a few healthy, low sodium dip recipes to choose from:

• Honey Dijon Hummus offers the classic flavors of honey mustard sauce with less fat.
• If umami is your vibe, this garlicky Bagna Cauda Dip is a must-try.
• If you love creamy, flavorful dips, this Cajun Remoulade Sauce is for you. 

For an added kick, try this spicy Bang Bang Sauce!

For a delectable crunch without the unhealthy oils used in restaurant fries, consider making your sweet potato fries in the air fryer. Simply cook the prepared fries at 400°F for 15 minutes, tossing them halfway through the cooking time. Here’s the full recipe for Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.