Regular French fries are a tired side compared to these rad sweet potato fries.

It's no secret that sweet potatoes pack way more flavor and nutrients than their classic 'tater counterparts,  so why not trade regular spuds for the orange variety to put a a fresh spin on French fries?

One of the best parts of making your own fries is that you can choose a healthy, oven-baked variety or fall back on the classic, deep-fried side dish that we all know and love. We'll give you tips for both cooking methods.



If you guessed that this recipe begins with sweet potatoes, you are correct! Start by peeling your yams and cutting them into matchsticks or wedges – however thick you prefer your 'taters.

If you're going health-conscious, drizzle the cut sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt and whatever spices you like – cayenne pepper and cinnamon work well here. Then, spread them out on a cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees for about a half hour, tossing them halfway through.

Those of you who aren't concerned with calorie counting and want to go for the gusto should definitely try deep-fried sweet potato fries.

Heat about two quarts of vegetable oil to 300 degrees in a deep-fryer or a cast-iron pot. If you're using the latter, make sure it's deep enough, and use a thermometer in the oil to prevent over-heating. Using a spider – which is a fancy term for a spoon-like utensil made especially to retrieve objects from hot oil – gently place a handful of fries in the oil at a time.

When they're ready, the fries will look browned and puffed. At this point, scoop them out and place them on a paper towel. That's pretty much all she wrote, kids. Just sprinkle with a little salt, cinnamon and sugar, and munch away.

If you're looking for other variations on sweet 'tater fries, try these Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Sweet Potato Home Fries or Parmesan Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries. These are amazing just on their own – especially after a long night at the bar – but also make a tasty accompaniment to sandwiches. For example, try serving sweet potato fries with these Grilled Southwest Steak and Salsa Sandwiches or as a side for Southwest Turkey Burgers.

Those who choose to bake their fries may want to keep running with the heart-healthy theme. If that sounds like you, consider making this Grilled Tomato and Cheese Sandwich, which is a reduced-calorie version of everyone's favorite old school diner meal.