Sweet potato fries make for a delicious and healthier alternative to regular french fries. Their natural sweetness combined with a touch of spice is hard to resist. But cooking them fresh every time you want some may not always be possible. Knowing whether reheated sweet potato fries still taste good can help you decide if making a large batch is worthwhile.
Do sweet potato fries reheat well?
The good news is that properly cooked and stored sweet potato fries can reheat pretty well in the oven. The key is to make sure they are cooked through initially. Undercooked fries will tend to get soggy when reheated. Fully cooked fries will crisp back up nicely with a quick oven stay.
Baking your fries rather than frying also helps maintain their texture for reheating later. The dry heat of the oven creates a crispy exterior that stays intact. Fried fries absorb more oil that can make them limp and greasy when warmed up again.
Tips for reheating sweet potato fries
Follow these tips to get the best results when reheating baked sweet potato fries:
- Allow fries to cool completely after the initial baking. Warm fries will steam and lose their crispness in storage.
- Store cooled fries in a single layer in an airtight container or bag. This prevents them from getting soggy.
- Reheat fries in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes if refrigerated or 15 minutes if frozen. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- For added crispness, mist the fries lightly with oil before reheating.
- Watch carefully near the end to avoid over-browning.
How long do baked sweet potato fries last?
Properly stored baked sweet potato fries will keep well for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for longer storage. Here are some guidelines on shelf life:
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 2-3 hours |
| Refrigerator | 3-5 days |
| Freezer | 2-3 months |
The shelf life depends on how well sealed the container is and avoiding temperature fluctuations. Discard any fries that show signs of mold or very soft textures.
What’s the best way to bake sweet potato fries?
To yield sweet potato fries with the ideal crispy-outside, fluffy-inside texture, follow these baking tips:
1. Choose the right potatoes
Look for firm, smooth sweet potatoes without bruises or sprouts. The lighter orange varieties tend to be starchier and less moist, creating better fries.
2. Cut them evenly
Cut sweet potatoes into long 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick fries for the best results. Even sizing allows them to cook and crisp evenly.
3. Rinse and dry
Rinse cut fries under cold water to remove excess starch, then pat very dry. Too much moisture will inhibit crisping.
4. Toss with oil and seasonings
Coat fries lightly with olive oil or avocado oil and sprinkle with your desired seasonings.
5. Bake at high heat
Spread seasoned fries on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 425°F-450°F for 15-20 minutes until browned and crispy, flipping halfway.
What’s the best oil to use?
The oil you toss the sweet potato fries in before baking plays a role in their final texture and taste:
- Olive oil – Imparts a rich flavor and crisps well due to monounsaturated fats.
- Avocado oil – Has a high smoke point for great browning and adds a buttery flavor.
- Coconut oil – Provides a subtle sweetness and crisps up nicely.
- Grapeseed oil – Lets the sweet potato flavor shine through without strong oil taste.
Avoid using butter or margarine which can burn quickly in high oven heat. Brushing fries lightly with oil is sufficient for even cooking and crisping.
Are there any recipe tweaks for reheating?
You can make some minor adjustments to your usual sweet potato fries recipe to optimize them for reheating:
- Cook them a minute or two longer initially to remove excess moisture.
- Use a touch more oil for added moisture-resistant crispness.
- Season lightly before the first bake, then add more spices/herbs before reheating.
- Give them more breathing room on the baking sheet to prevent steaminess.
What are the best seasonings for sweet potato fries?
Seasoning sweet potato fries adds lots of flavor possibilities. Popular options include:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
You can also use spice blends like jerk seasoning, cajun seasoning, or poultry seasoning. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage complement the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes too.
What dipping sauces go well with them?
Sweet potato fries pair deliciously with an array of dipping sauces. Some tasty options include:
- Honey mustard – Sweet and tangy.
- Ranch – Cool and creamy.
- Ketchup – Classic and comforting.
- BBQ sauce – Sweet, smoky and sticky.
- Chipotle aioli – Savory and spicy.
- Marinara – Herby and tomatoey.
- Tzatziki – Cool and refreshing.
Whip up your own signature dip by mixing Sriracha, mayo, or hummus into plain Greek yogurt. Get creative with flavors that complement the seasonings on your fries.
Are there any healthier dip options?
For a less calorie-laden dip, try these lighter ideas:
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Peanut sauce made with peanut butter and hot water
- Hummus
- Tahini sauce
- Bean dip
- Cottage cheese
You can also make vegetable dips with blends of roasted bell peppers, garlicky spinach, or Roasted cauliflower and peas. Lean into veggie flavors that pair well with the natural sweet potato taste.
What are some sweet potato fry recipe ideas?
Take your sweet potato fries to the next level with these flavorful twists:
Spicy Sriracha
Toss fries with sriracha seasoning blend before baking. Dip in a sriracha Greek yogurt sauce.
Lemon Pepper
Season baked fries with lemon pepper. Serve with a lemon parsley dip.
Korean BBQ
Use Korean barbecue seasoning and sesame oil when baking. Dip in an umami gochujang mayo.
Cinnamon Sugar
Add cinnamon and brown sugar before baking. Dip in vanilla Greek yogurt.
Old Bay
Season with Old Bay seasoning and bake. Dip in a creamy crab dip.
Chili Lime
Add chili powder, cumin, and lime zest when baking. Dip in avocado crema.
Can you reheat sweet potato fries in an air fryer?
An air fryer can workgreat for reheating sweet potato fries to crispy perfection. Follow these tips:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place fries in air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overlap.
- Reheat in batches for 3-5 minutes, until hot and crisp.
- Mist fries with oil spray before reheating for added crispness.
- Shake basket halfway through for even cooking.
The hot circulated air in an air fryer crisps up the exterior of the fries quickly. Monitor closely to avoid over-browning.
How can you reuse leftover sweet potato fries?
Instead of wasting leftovers, put expired sweet potato fries to use in creative ways:
- Breakfast hash – Dice up with onions, peppers, eggs.
- Soup topper – Garnish bowls of veggie or potato soup.
- Nacho topping – Use instead of regular fries on nachos.
- Potato salad – Toss into potato salad for sweetness.
- Quesadilla filling – Add to cheese quesadillas with chicken.
Stale sweet potato fries also work well processed into crumbs for coating chicken tenders or sprinkled on casseroles.
Conclusion
With proper storage and reheating, baked sweet potato fries can retain their crispy texture and sweet flavor surprisingly well. Allow them to cool fully after baking and keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 400°F oven or air fryer for 10-15 minutes until hot and crisp. Adjust your usual seasoning amounts to optimize them for reheating. Sweet potato fries pair deliciously with a variety of dipping sauces, from creamy ranch to spicy sriracha mayo. With a little planning, you can enjoy their crunchy convenience without sacrificing flavor.