Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Za'atar and Tahini

Step 1

Prepare the sweet potatoes: To remove the excess surface starch from the sweet potatoes. Place the cut sweet potato fries in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight. This removes the excess starch and help the fries crisp up. Drain and rinse out the bowl and dry it well.

Step 2

Get ready to bake. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 3

Season the sweet potatoes. Pat the fries dry and return to the dried bowl. Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil (about 2 to 3 tablespoons). Toss to make sure all the fries are well-coated with the oil. Mix the seasonings of your choice in a small bowl, then add to the fries and toss to evenly coat.

Step 4

Roast the sweet potato fries. Transfer the fries to the prepared sheet pan and space them apart without touching. (Do not crowd the pan or the fries will not crisp; Use 2 pans if necessary.) Bake in the heated oven for about 15 minutes, then carefully remove the pan to flip the fries over, making sure they are still spaced apart. Bake until cooked through and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Step 5

Finish and serve. Remove from heat and season with salt. Sprinkle with more of the spices to your liking. Transfer the fries to a cooling rack and let them rest for about 5 minutes or so before serving with tahini on the side for dipping. Enjoy!