Learn to make crispy baked candy potato fries at residence with easy strategies that really work. This dependable recipe is a staple in my kitchen as a result of it’s versatile, simple to scale up or down, and the tasty fries pair effectively with nearly any meal!

I initially printed this recipe in 2013, and I’ve since up to date it with new images, additional success ideas, and air fryer directions.
For those who’ve ever pulled a tray of soggy candy potato fries out of the oven and questioned what went flawed, this recipe is for you. Immediately we’re tackling completely crispy baked candy potato fries with a handful of straightforward tips that make all of the distinction. No deep frying, no difficult steps—simply crisp edges, tender facilities, and loads of actual taste!
Right here’s why this recipe works: Candy potatoes maintain extra moisture than common potatoes, which makes them tough to crisp. A lightweight coating of cornstarch helps take in that moisture and creates crisp edges, whereas excessive warmth and loads of house on the pan enable the fries to roast correctly as a substitute of steam.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Candy Potato Fries
- Truly crispy (sure, actually!)
- No deep frying—much less mess and little or no oil required
- Easy substances you seemingly have in your pantry
- Use both the oven or air fryer
- Scale the recipe up or down
- Customizable seasoning choices—so you possibly can pair these with many various primary dishes


Substances You Want
- Candy Potatoes: 4 massive, about 2.5–3 kilos
- Cornstarch: Key for the crispiest candy potato fries!
- Oil: I like to recommend avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or olive oil.
- Salt: The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon, however salt to your style.
- Elective Spices: See under for strategies!
The Secrets and techniques to Crispy Candy Potato Fries
Candy potatoes are naturally greater in moisture and sugar than common potatoes, which makes them trickier to crisp up. However don’t fear, these 4 easy steps clear up that downside:
- Reduce Evenly: Slice into uniform 1/4-inch sticks so that they bake on the similar charge.
- Pat Dry: After chopping, pat the fries very dry with paper towels. Any floor moisture will create steam within the oven, which ends up in softer fries.
- Toss in Cornstarch: This step provides a skinny, dry coating that absorbs floor moisture and bakes right into a crisp outer layer.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Too many fries on the pan and so they’ll simply steam, not roast.

Methods to Make Baked Candy Potato Fries
Wash, peel (or don’t peel—that’s wonderful too!), and minimize the candy potatoes with a really, very sharp knife. After I first began making these fries at residence, the shapes of my fries have been all over. However I’ve picked up on french fry shaping; it takes apply. They gained’t be good, and that’s wonderful. Embrace the imperfection.
I like to chop the fries to be pretty skinny. Not shoestring-style and never too thick. About 1/4-inch vast. Subsequent, toss the candy potato fries in cornstarch. You desire a very skinny layer of coating, for crispy exteriors. To coat, toss the fries and cornstarch in a big bowl, or mix them in a big zip-top bag and shake shake shake. The second choice is, admittedly, far more enjoyable. 😉 You need cornstarch to coat the fries earlier than the oil and seasonings, or else your fries could have massive white lumps and style like cornstarch.

After they’re coated with cornstarch, toss with oil, salt, and your selection of seasonings.
Greatest Seasonings for Candy Potato Fries
You possibly can hold it easy with salt, or swap issues up relying on what you’re serving:
- Garlic powder + paprika for a traditional savory taste
- Chili powder + cumin for a smoky kick
- Cinnamon + a pinch of sugar for a sweeter twist
- Cajun seasoning for daring, spicy fries
Line the fries up in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Attempt to not crowd them and ensure they’ve a little bit of house in between one another. Too many fries shoved collectively and so they’ll simply steam, not roast. I like to recommend utilizing two baking sheets, or you can bake in batches.

About midway via baking, you’ll flip the fries, then proceed baking. Ensure that to rotate your pans at this level, or else you might get some burnt ends. And in case you’re baking two sheets directly, swap their rack positions after flipping the fries. This helps every part bake evenly, whether or not you’re making fries, cookies, muffins, and many others.
Methods to Make Candy Potato Fries within the Air Fryer
When you have an air fryer, you’re in luck as a result of this is among the greatest methods to get additional crispy candy potato fries in much less time! The circulating scorching air helps crisp the sides fantastically whereas protecting the facilities tender.
Air Fryer Directions
- Prep the fries precisely as directed above: minimize evenly and pat dry.
- Toss with cornstarch, then add oil and seasonings.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) in case your mannequin requires it.
- Prepare in a single layer within the basket. Keep away from overcrowding and cook dinner in batches if wanted.
- Air fry for 12–quarter-hour, shaking the basket midway via, till golden and crisp on the sides.
Ought to I bake within the oven or use the air fryer? Here’s a fast comparability:
- Oven methodology = nice for bigger batches
- Air fryer = sooner, crispier edges in smaller batches
Both manner, you’ll find yourself with flavorful, completely cooked candy potato fries—simply select what works greatest to your kitchen!

Serve Candy Potato Fries With:
Print
Description
Learn to make crispy baked candy potato fries at residence with easy strategies that really work. This dependable recipe is a staple in my kitchen as a result of it’s versatile, simple to scale up or down, and the tasty fries pair effectively with nearly any meal!
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Line 2 massive baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Put aside.
- Wash and peel the candy potatoes. With a really sharp knife, minimize the potatoes into skinny sticks about 1/4-inch vast. Pat the fries dry (even when they appear dry!) with paper towels or a clear kitchen towel. This helps them crisp.
- Place the candy potatoes in a big bowl or zip-top bag and toss with cornstarch. You desire a skinny coating on all of the fries. Pour the potatoes right into a strainer to do away with any additional cornstarch. Discard the additional cornstarch from the blending bowl, too. Place potatoes again into the bowl and toss with the oil, salt, after which the seasoning(s) of selection. (See Notice under about seasonings.)
- Prepare the candy potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheets, leaving house between them (don’t crowd).
- Bake for quarter-hour. Take away from the oven, flip the fries, then return the baking sheets to the oven, rotating the pans and swapping the rack areas. Bake for 10–quarter-hour extra.
- Serve instantly with ketchup or spicy mayo, or, for additional crispiness, flip the oven off and let the fries sit inside because it cools for about 20–half-hour.
Notes
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Baking Sheets | Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats | Potato Peeler | Glass Mixing Bowl
- Seasonings: After tossing the fries with oil, you possibly can season them to your style. Attempt 1/2–1 teaspoon garlic powder and/or paprika (smoked or common), 1/4–1/2 teaspoon chili powder, and/or 1/8–1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for warmth. You should utilize only one or combine a pair collectively. Begin mild and add extra after baking, if desired.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Candy Potato Fries: For a sweeter model, skip the savory seasonings and toss the fries with 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar + 1 teaspoon floor cinnamon after including the oil. Bake as directed, then style and add somewhat extra cinnamon-sugar after baking, if desired. You possibly can omit the salt or hold a small pinch for distinction. These are enjoyable to serve with vanilla icing for dipping.
- Air Fryer Directions: Put together the fries as directed above by chopping evenly and patting them very dry. Toss with cornstarch, then add the oil and seasonings. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), if wanted. Prepare the fries in a single layer within the basket, avoiding overcrowding and dealing in batches if crucial. Air fry for 12–quarter-hour, shaking the basket midway via, till golden and crisp on the sides. The oven methodology is greatest for bigger batches, whereas the air fryer is quicker and yields barely crispier edges in smaller batches.

