After making last night’s pork tenderloin, I wanted to make an easy but tasty, healthy side. If there is one thing that is my downfall during times of making an effort to eat healthier, it’s salty fries. I’m from Quebec- half of my diet is poutine! (I’m kidding, but it really is one of my favorite cheat meals.)

While I am usually quite good at resisting my cravings, today I really wanted salty, bad-for-you McDonald’s fries. I reached for a couple of sweet potatoes and seasonings and here we are, making baked sweet potato fries instead. Whatever it is that is making you feel like reaching for the “too sugary” snack, or the “not actually healthy potato chips”, try and channel that energy into time spent cooking or cleaning. I promise you, no matter what it is, you’ll find momentary comfort or distraction by making a meal or power washing something. If nothing else, if it’s impossible to become distracted, allow yourself to feel everything that you need to feel as you cook. Laugh at absolutely nothing, or cry as much as you want and blame it on cutting onions (even if onions aren’t being used); let cooking be your therapist for a moment.

These baked sweet potato fries are made in about 30 minutes depending on how quickly you slice sweet potatoes (Do not rush! Safety first, always). If you need some guidance on how to cut sweet potatoes into french fries, this is a great video on YouTube that you can follow. Be sure to make your favorite dipping sauce! If you’re trying to stay on the healthier side of things, you can always make the healthier version of your favorite dip.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1×3-inch wedges
• 3 tablespoons vegetable, olive, or avocado oil
• ½ teaspoon each freshly ground black pepper and pink Himalayan salt
• ¼ teaspoon each garlic powder, paprika, parsley, oregano

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and position the rack in the upper third of the oven. Grease a baking sheet, or use your preferred silicone baking mat.
2. Place sweet potatoes and oil in a large bowl; toss lightly. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, parsley, and paprika. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd them.
3. Bake, turning occasionally, until tender and golden brown, 18 to 24 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Related:

Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Skillet

Sweet Potato and Mushroom Curry Soup

Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili Recipe