In a country where French fries are taken almost to an art form, it’s a true waste of potential to only have one Paleo-friendly fry recipe up your sleeve.
I already posted a basic sweet potato fries recipe (and a version with butternut squash, if you like your fries a little lower-carb), but this recipe adds a spicy barbecue flavor to that delicious starch + fat combination.
Since the potatoes already have a natural sweetness, the result is a much more interesting flavor contrast than you’d get with regular white potatoes.
The biggest problem that most people have with sweet potato fries is getting that satisfying crunch. They have a tendency to come out unpleasantly soggy and limp, a serious disappointment even for true sweet potato lovers.
The thick-cut wedge shape means that these potatoes won't have the same overall crispiness as thinner versions, but this recipe pulls out all the stops to prevent flabby fries.
First of all, it calls for blanching the potatoes, which gives the resulting fries a much better crunch. A coating of olive oil (instead of the rancid fryer oils you’ll find at chain restaurants) prepares the outside of the fries to dry into a tasty “skin.”
And finally, grilling the fries instead of tossing them on a baking sheet reduces the danger of the precious outer layer sticking to the pan.
If you can stop yourself from munching them all down one by one as they come off the grill, these wedges are a delicious side dish for any kind of summer party, especially if you’re hosting neighbors who aren’t used to Paleo cooking, and show up at your door expecting big bags of chips or other junk food.
This recipe blows the cheap barbecue chips right out of the water: show your guests how delicious real food can be, and give yourself a reward for your trouble at the same time.
Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe
SERVES: 4 PREP: 10 min COOK: 15 min
Ingredients
- 2 lb. sweet potatoes, cut into wedges;
- 1 tbsp. olive oil;
Ingredients for the spicy seasoning
- 1 tbsp. mixed or black peppercorns, ground;
- 2 tsp. dried sage;
- 1 tbsp. dried oregano;
- 1 tbsp. dried thyme;
- 2 tbsp. paprika;
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper;
- 3 tsp. garlic powder;
Preparation
- Preheat your grill to medium-high.
- Bring a pot of water to boil on the stovetop. Blanch the wedges for 3 to 4 minutes and drain.
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the spicy seasoning.
- Place the wedges in a big bowl, drip the oil onto them, and mix well, making sure all the wedges are coated with olive oil.
- Add the spicy seasoning and mix well again, making sure everything is well covered. You might not need to use all of the seasonings.
- Grill the wedges for approximately 10 minutes or until nicely charred and soft, turning them once in a while.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb. sweet potatoes cut into wedges
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
Ingredients for the spicy seasoning
- 1 tbsp. mixed or black peppercorns ground
- 2 tsp. dried sage
- 1 tbsp. dried oregano
- 1 tbsp. dried thyme
- 2 tbsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high.
- Bring a pot of water to boil on the stovetop. Blanch the wedges for 3 to 4 minutes and drain.
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the spicy seasoning.1 tbsp. mixed or black peppercorns, 2 tsp. dried sage, 1 tbsp. dried oregano, 1 tbsp. dried thyme, 2 tbsp. paprika, 1 tsp. cayenne pepper, 3 tsp. garlic powder
- Place the wedges in a big bowl, drip the oil onto them, and mix well, making sure all the wedges are coated with olive oil.2 lb. sweet potatoes, 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Add the spicy seasoning and mix well again, making sure everything is well covered. You might not need to use all of the seasonings.
- Grill the wedges for approximately 10 minutes or until nicely charred and soft, turning them once in a while.
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