Looking for an alternative to regular potato fries? Discover these salty-sweet thyme baked sweet potato wedges. Full of flavor, and super easy to pull off. And of course so good for you! A great dish to bring to a BBQ or cookout. Vegan and gluten-free.
If you’re like me, and on the hunt for easy and healthy recipes that don’t skim of flavor, and the family will embrace, well, this is for you. These thyme baked sweet potato wedges are perfect as a nourishing snack, side or appetizer.
Thyme gives a woody tone to these baked sweet potato wedges – which I love. The flavor isn’t overpowering either!
A popular herb, thyme is used in soups, stews, vegetables, fish and meat dishes. Native to the Mediterranean diet, thyme belongs to the mint family of shrubs. There are different varieties – all of which exude their unique flavors.
Are Baked Sweet Potato Wedges Healthy?
A rich source of vitamins, sweet potatoes contain ten times more vitamin A than their counterparts. They also contain carotenoids and have a lower glycemic index (GI), helping to control blood sugars. Compared to regular potatoes, sweet potatoes have fewer calories, fewer carbs, and more fiber. Plus these are not deep-fried, rather, baked with minimal extra virgin olive oil to create a tasty and crispy coating.
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries – Step By Step
- Scrub, wash and peel the potatoes and slice into thick wedges (Images 1 and 2)
- In a large baking tray, combine the potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. Use your hands to coat the wedges
- Place on top rack of oven and bake until deliciously crispy – about 30 minutes (Image 3)
- Garnish with thyme stems (optional) (Image 4)
I didn’t even bother to swipe off the leaves from the thyme stems. There’s no need (and I had no time!). Additionally, I laid a few stems beneath the slices (I just can’t get enough of the gorgeous flavor!), ensuring all the wedges capture the incredible earthy flavor of thyme.
Do I Have To Peel The Sweet Potatoes?
No, you don’t have to peel the potatoes it’s entirely up to you if you do or not. The skin will get extra crispy and delicious and provides more nutrients.
If you do decide to keep the skin on you’ll need to make sure you clean them thoroughly (I use a brush!) and pat the potatoes dry before baking.
How to Speed Up Cooking and Prep Time
Sweet potatoes don’t have to take a long time to prepare and cook. Cutting them into thinner wedges can speed up the cooking time. I know I’ve probably said this hundreds of times before, but if it’s not quick and simple, then it’s not likely to make it back on my table.
We often cheat with this recipe, and do all the prep the night before and simply throw it in the oven 30 mins before mealtime. Sometimes, we’ve even bought ready-cut sweet potatoes – and that’s OK. #momlife
Honestly, these thyme baked sweet potato wedges vanish faster than I can say “dinner is served.”
Top Tips for Making Sweet Potato Fries
- Always preheat your oven before baking – to save time!
- Make sure to cut the sweet potatoes into even-sized wedges – so they cook evenly
- For this recipe, I opted to use fresh thyme, however, dried thyme would work just as well.
- You can also experiment with different herbs and spices, choose your favorites!
- Make sure to space the fries out in an even layer on the baking tray so they cook evenly and you get a nice crispy coating – on all of them!
- Leftover fries can be stored in the fridge in a suitable container and eaten cold or reheated in the oven
Looking for Ways to Add Sweet Potatoes to Your Meals?
There are many ways to whip them up. You could use them to make:
- Soup
- Casserole
- Wedges
- Wraps or quesadillas
- Sweet dessert
- Dip or hummus
- Curry
- Mash
- Baked potato
- Salad
More Delicious Sides You Might Like:
- Spicy Okra
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sweet Potatoes and Cranberries
- Portobello Mushroom Leek Pizzas
I am sure the list can go on and on. But these thyme roasted sweet potato fries make it top on our list.
How do you enjoy sweet potatoes? Tell me in the comments below!
If you try this recipe, would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and twitter! Can’t wait to see your photos.
Ingredients
- 3 sweet potatoes, medium, washed and dried
- 2 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 7 stems thyme, fresh, washed and dried
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F
- Scrub, wash and peel the potatoes and slice into 1-inch thick wedges
- In large baking tray, combine the potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. Use your hands to coat the wedges
- Place on top rack of oven and roast until cooked and slightly browned, about 30 minutes
- Garnished with thyme stems
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce
Notes
- Always preheat your oven before baking – to save time!
- Make sure to cut the sweet potatoes into even sized wedges – so they cook evenly
- For this recipe, I opted to use fresh thyme, however, dried thyme would work just as well.
- You can also experiment with different herbs and spices, choose your favorites!
- Make sure to space the fries out in an even layer on the baking tray so they cook evenly and you get a nice crispy coating – on all of them!
- Leftover fries can be stored in the fridge in a suitable container and eaten cold or reheated in the oven
Nutrition Information:
Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This might be a dumb question, but should we bake them on the top rack or is that just for heating purposes? I will only be using one tray.
Not a dumb question at all. It’s a great question! I tend to bake these nearer the top 🙂
thank you shahzadidevje for giving me wonderful information