Crispy Sweet potato fries?

(Germany)

I've been trying to figure out how to make sweet potato fries in the oven for a while now. They always turn out delicious but not crispy enough! I've tried many different things but nothing has worked. I know there must be a way to do it without deep frying them. Any ideas?


Chef Todd Says:
Getting a sweet potato crispy is more of a challenge than a baking potato because of the difference in waxy versus mealy potatoes as explained in Cooking Coarse Episode 71. Sweet Potatoes have more moisture and are tougher to dry out and make crispy, as they steam in their own moisture.

My advice is to preheat your oven with a sheet pan inside, as high as it will go 425F/ 218C. Cut, rinse and thoroughly DRY the potatoes. Coat in a small amount of olive oil and salt. Then, roast the potatoes on the very hot pan in a very hot oven, on the top rack. Once they get soft and start to sweat, turn on the broiler and give them direct top heat. Toss and stir so they don't burn.

The key to crispy waxy potatoes is to remove as much moisture as possible through dry cooking processes.

Chef Todd.