Crispy Sweet Potato Fries with Smoked Paprika

**Crispy Sweet Potato Fries with Smoked Paprika** These sweet potato fries are the perfect side dish for any meal. They're crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor. The smoked paprika adds a touch of smokiness that takes them over the top. **Ingredients:** - 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper **Instructions:** 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). 2. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato fries, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. 3. Toss to coat. 4. Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. 6. Serve immediately.

The story of these sweet potato fries begins in the American South, where sweet potatoes have been a staple food for centuries. In the early 1900s, African Americans began frying sweet potatoes as a way to make them more flavorful and satisfying. These fries quickly became popular throughout the South, and eventually spread to the rest of the country. Today, sweet potato fries are a popular side dish at restaurants and homes alike. They're often served with ketchup, mayonnaise, or other dipping sauces. But our favorite way to enjoy them is with a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is a type of paprika that has been smoked over a wood fire. This gives it a rich, smoky flavor that adds depth and complexity to dishes. When you add smoked paprika to sweet potato fries, it takes them from ordinary to extraordinary. These fries are the perfect way to use up leftover sweet potatoes. They're also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. So next time you're looking for a side dish that's both delicious and healthy, give these sweet potato fries a try.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 25 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato fries, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Toss to coat.
4. Spread the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
6. Serve immediately.

Why It Works

• The combination of smoked paprika and sweet potatoes is a match made in heaven. The smokiness of the paprika complements the sweetness of the potatoes perfectly.
• Frying the potatoes in olive oil gives them a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
• Baking the fries at a high temperature helps them to crisp up quickly and evenly.
• Seasoning the fries with salt and pepper adds flavor and depth.