I’m kind of a sweet potato fiend. Sweet potato oats, granola, muffins, tater tots, smoothies, salads, soups, chips, burgers, Mediterranean style, CHOCOLATE COVERED. How have I not made fries on Minimalist Baker before? This has to change.
Because sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, they beckon to be tossed in all things spicy. Enter, a simple cajun spice mix, comprised of things you likely have sitting in your pantry right now.
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Cayenne
Garlic Powder
Oregano
Thyme
Who knew getting down ‘n’ dirty cajun style was this easy?
Speaking of easy, so is this recipe! Just 9 ingredients (give or take a spice) and roughly 30 minutes required. That’s my kind of soul food.
Origins of Cajun Seasoning
For seasoning these fries, we opted for cajun-inspired flavor!
Cajun food originated in southern Louisiana. It’s named after the French colonists (Acadians) who settled in the area after being forcibly removed from the Acadia region of Canada. (source)
Along with onion, celery, and bell peppers, cajun seasoning is one of the main ingredients used to add flavor to cajun cooking. It typically includes spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, and herbs such as thyme and/or oregano. You can learn more about Cajun seasoning (vs Creole seasoning) and ways to use it here.
Our cajun-inspired blend strays a bit from traditional, skipping the onion powder and opting for smoked paprika for a more smoky flavor.
These fries are amazing!
Savory
Naturally sweet
Perfectly spiced
Amazingly flavorful
Simple
Quick
& Perfect for snacking / appetizers / a side dish
My favorite way to have sweet potato fries is alongside a hearty veggie burger. But these really are perfect as is as a snack or appetizer. And if you aren’t into super spicy foods, just scale back on the cayenne for slightly less heat without sacrificing flavor.
If you try these gems, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see. Cheers!
Cajun Sweet Potato Fries
Cajun-spiced sweet potato fries baked to crispy perfection. Simple, healthy, fast, and packed with spicy-sweet flavor! Just 9 ingredients! Print SAVE SAVED
from votes Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Total Time 35 minutes Servings 2Course Appetizer, Side, SnackCuisine Cajun, French-Inspired, Gluten-Free, Southern-Inspired, VeganFreezer Friendly NoDoes it keep? Best when fresh
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Ingredients
US Customary – Metric2 large sweet potatoes (scrubbed clean // organic when possible)2 Tbsp olive, avocado, or melted coconut oil1/2 tsp sea salt1 1/2 tsp garlic powder1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika1 1/2 tsp dried oregano1 tsp dried thyme*1/4 tsp black pepper1/4 tsp cayenne pepper*1 Tbsp sugar of choice (optional // (coconut + cane are best)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (218 C).Leave the skin on and cut sweet potatoes into thin, even match sticks with a very sharp knife.Transfer to two baking sheets and drizzle with olive oil. Then sprinkle with seasonings, sugar and toss.Transfer fries to 1 large or 2 baking sheets (or more if making a larger batch) and arrange in a single layer to ensure they crisp up.Bake for 15 minutes and flip/stir to cook on the other side. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes more or until brown and crispy. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are dark brown and crispy.Remove from oven and either serve as is or drizzle with a bit of maple syrup (or honey if not vegan) to offset spiciness.Serve plain or with your favorite dip, such as Whiskey BBQ Ketchup.
Notes
*2 tsp fresh thyme can be subbed per 1 tsp dried thyme.
*If you aren’t into super spicy foods, just scale back on the cayenne a bit for slightly less heat without sacrificing flavor.
*Cajun spice mix adapted from bon appetit.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional sugar.
Nutrition (1 of 2 servings)
Serving: 1 serving Calories: 197 Carbohydrates: 18.2 g Protein: 1.8 g Fat: 13.7 g Saturated Fat: 1.9 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.95 g Monounsaturated Fat: 19.74 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 629 mg Potassium: 307 mg Fiber: 3.1 g Sugar: 3.3 g Vitamin A: 11500 IU Vitamin C: 3.3 mg Calcium: 50 mg Iron: 1.6 mg