Japanese Sweet Potatoes are purple on the outside and white on the inside. They are naturally sweet and are incredibly delicious. Try making these baked Japanese Sweet Potato fries for a nutritious and tasty side dish. Gluten-free and vegan.

Sweet potato fries and a silver bowl of dip on a wooden plate.

If you love sweet potatoes, give the Japanese variety a try. They have more starch and are slightly sweeter than their orange cousin. The texture is also more like regular potatoes than hard sweet potatoes. I think they are absolutely delicious!!!

Really, you can’t go wrong with any kind of potato when you want a satisfying side dish! And “fries” are one of the most delicious ways to enjoy them.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Everyone loves French fries! Baking them in the oven gives you a great crisp exterior with a fluffy interior and is a healthy preparation than deep frying.
  • The familiar preparation of these Japanese Potato Sweet Potato Fries makes it easier to introduce a new vegetable to your family (see the best veggies for picky eaters).
  • The fries take 30 minutes in the oven, meaning you can pop them in and leave them alone while you prepare the rest of the meal.
  • You can easily customize the flavors when you season the potatoes and dip in anything your heart desires.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients to make sweet potato fries on a white surface.

Japanese sweet potatoes are a very special potato. They are purple on the outside and have a white flesh. They are different than regular purple sweet potatoes. Definitely give them a try!

Salt and pepper let the flavor of the potato shine through.

Olive oil lets the fries brown and crisp in the oven.

Recipe Steps

Process collage of prepping and cooking sweet potato fries.

Step One

Cut the potato into sticks, trying to keep them uniform in size. There’s no need to peel.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Toss the fries with oil, salt, and pepper.

Step Three

Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake, flipping halfway through.

Sweet potato fries baked on a silver baking sheet.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • You can cut this recipe in half to make one serving. You can also double the recipe, but you may need to bake the fries on two baking sheets.
  • Look for Japanese Sweet Potatoes at specialty markets. They are different than regular purple sweet potatoes.
  • Store any leftover fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • These fries can also be made in the air fryer. But, you will likely only have room in your air fryer basket for one potato’s worth of fries at a time. Bake them at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping or tossing them once during the cooking process.
Sweet potato fries on parchment paper in a silver tray.

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to peel the Japanese sweet potatoes?

The peel is usually left on more often than with regular sweet potatoes. It gives a beautiful color contrast from the purple to the white interior. You can peel it if you prefer, though.

What other seasonings can I use?

Feel free to go to town! Ranch or taco seasoning would be delicious, or simply adding paprika to the salt and pepper.

Do I need to use olive oil?

Avocado oil is another great high-heat option. You can also use coconut oil though it will impart a different flavor.

baked japanese sweet potato fries served in a basket with dipping sauces.

More Healthy Potato Recipes You Might Like

What to Serve with Baked Fries

Air Fryer Hamburgers Without Breadcrumbs

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Without Breadcrumbs

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Breasts

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Sweet potato fries and a silver bowl of dip on a wooden plate.

Baked Japanese Sweet Potato Fries

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Japanese Sweet Potatoes are purple on the outside and white on the inside. They are naturally sweet and are incredibly delicious. Try making these baked Japanese Sweet Potato fries for a nutritious and tasty side dish. Gluten-free and vegan.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 Japanese sweet potatoes, scrubbed and patted dry
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Your choice of ketchup or dipping sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut the sweet potatoes into fry shapes about 3/4-inch in width. Try to cut the fries similarly in width so they cook evenly.
  3. Place the sweet potato fries in a large mixing bowl. Toss with the oil, salt and pepper.
  4. Transfer the fries to the baking sheet and spread them out so they are in a single layer.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and use tongs to turn the fries over. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the fries start to turn a golden brown. Be careful not to let them burn.
  6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the fries cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. You can cut this recipe in half to make one serving. You can also double the recipe, but you may need to bake the fries on two baking sheets.
  2. Store any leftover fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  3. These fries can also be made in the air fryer. But, you will likely only have room in your air fryer basket for one potato’s worth of fries at a time. Bake them at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping or tossing them once during the cooking process.
  4. Look for Japanese Sweet Potatoes at specialty markets. They are different than regular purple sweet potatoes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 233
  • Sugar: 5.4 g
  • Sodium: 652.9 mg
  • Fat: 14.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26.3 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 2.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Don’t forget to join my newsletter list to get exclusive clean eating recipes and tips. The newsletter is 100% free with no spam; unsubscribe anytime.