Crispy oven-baked sweet potato fries are cooked with aromatic fresh herbs and tossed in a flavorful cajun herb butter to finish! These fries make the perfect weeknight side dish that the whole family will love.

Sweet potato fries are one of my all-time favorite side dishes and this recipe takes the basic sweet potato fry recipe up a few notches! Fresh herbs, cajun spices, and butter add so much flavor to these fries and they are way more nutritious than traditional french fries. The whole family will go crazy over these sweet potato fries!
Ingredients You Need to Make This Recipe
- Three medium sweet potatoes. Cut your sweet potatoes into shoestring fry size sticks for this recipe. There is no need to peel the potatoes, but be sure to rinse the fries to remove the dirt before getting started. This is a great step-by-step guide on how to cut sweet potato fries.
- Extra-virgin olive oil. The fries are coated in olive oil, herbs, and spices before they are baked.
- Fresh rosemary and thyme. These are the herbs used to flavor the sweet potato fries.
- Smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. These are the seasonings used to coat the sweet potato fries before baking.
Cajun Herb Butter
- 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
- One clove of minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt
- 2 tablespoons of packed freshly chopped parsley
How to Make This Recipe
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Place the sweet potato fries in a large mixing bowl and add the olive oil, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to toss the fries, making sure they are evenly coated in the oil, herbs, and spices.
- Divide the fries evenly among the two prepared baking sheets. Use your hands to spread them out into a single layer, making sure no fries overlap. Bake the fries in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, flipping the fries about halfway through the cooking time with a spatula.
- Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl whisk together the melted butter, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and fresh parsley until combined. Drizzle the herb butter over the fries as soon as you remove them from the oven. Use silicone-tipped tongs to toss the fries and evenly coat them in the herb butter.
- Transfer the sweet potato fries to a serving platter and sprinkle them with flaked sea salt. Serve them with a side of ranch or ketchup if desired. Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions
You can try these sweet potato fries with a number of different herbs, spices, and even cheese. Feel free to try these fries with some of the following suggestions:
- Chopped sage
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
- Lemon pepper
- Grated parmesan cheese
A Few Notes For Making These Fries
- Do not overcrowd the baking pan with fries. If the fries are crowded onto the pan they will steam, causing them to bake up soggy instead of crispy.
- If you would like your fries to be extra crispy, try adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch when tossing the fries before baking.
- Try to make your sweet potato fries as close in size as possible so that they cook evenly.
Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
You can slice your sweet potato fries a day or two in advance and store them until ready to bake. So that the fries don't dry out, store them in the refrigerator soaking in enough water to cover them in an airtight container. Pat the fries dry before coating them in the oil and spices.
Leftover sweet potato fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat the fries in the oven for the crispiest texture or you can reheat them in the microwave.
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes You Will Love!
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Creole Sauce
- Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Casserole
- Honey Lemon Butter Roasted Asparagus
- Cajun Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
- Southern Sweet Onion Hushpuppies
📖 Recipe
Cajun Herb Butter Sweet Potato Fries
Equipment
- Two baking sheets
Ingredients
- 3 medium sweet potatoes cut into shoestring fry-sized sticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
- Two cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley packed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, spray the parchment paper in nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Place the sweet potato fries in a large mixing bowl and add the olive oil, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to toss the fries, making sure they are evenly coated in the oil, herbs, and spices.
- Divide the fries evenly among the two prepared baking sheets. Use your hands to spread them out into a single layer, making sure no fries overlap. Bake the fries in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, flipping the fries about halfway through the cooking time with a spatula.
- Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl whisk together the melted butter, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and fresh parsley until combined. Drizzle the herb butter over the fries as soon as you remove them from the oven. Use silicone-tipped tongs to toss the fries and evenly coat them in the herb butter.
- Transfer the sweet potato fries to a serving platter and sprinkle them with flaked sea salt. Serve them with a side of ranch or ketchup if desired. Enjoy!
Cassie
I just know these will be delicious. Can’t wait to try them and report back!