Jamaican Jerk Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
These Jamaican Jerk Sweet Potato Fries are a flavorful and crispy twist on traditional fries, infused with aromatic spices like allspice, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Baked to perfection, they offer a deliciously spicy and sweet side dish or snack that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Caribbean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Fries
- 2 large sweet potatoes (about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds total weight)
- 2 Tbsp. olive or canola oil
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch (optional but recommended for crispness)
- 2 tsp. allspice
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Optional Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp up the sweet potato fries nicely during baking.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Slice the sweet potatoes into long strips about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Transfer them to a large bowl or a resealable zipper bag for easy tossing.
- Season the Fries: Add the olive oil, cornstarch (which is optional but helps achieve extra crispness), allspice, paprika, dried thyme, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, powdered ginger, salt, and black pepper to the sweet potato strips. Toss everything together until the sweet potato strips are evenly coated with the oil and spice mixture.
- Arrange and Bake: Spread the coated sweet potato strips in a single even layer on baking sheets, making sure they are not overcrowded to allow for proper baking and crisping. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Baking: After the initial 10 minutes, gently flip the fries to ensure even cooking and crispness on all sides. Return them to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the fries are nicely crisp and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the fries from the oven and optionally sprinkle with fresh cilantro for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For crispier fries, do not overcrowd the baking sheet; use two sheets if necessary.
- Cornstarch is optional but recommended as it helps create a crispier coating on the fries.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity depending on your preferred spice level.
- These fries are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, as they lose crispness upon cooling.
- Use olive oil for a richer flavor or canola oil for a neutral taste.
- If you don’t have fresh cilantro, parsley can be a good alternative garnish.
Keywords: Jamaican jerk, sweet potato fries, baked sweet potato fries, spicy fries, Caribbean side dish, healthy fries, vegetarian snack
