Baked Sweet Potato Vietnamese Loaded French Fries

Potatoes easily transform into so many recipes, I can’t begin to explore the possibilities.  I have never met a french fry I didn’t like. Although french fries are on the top of my favorites’ list, I like variety in my fries. In fact, since becoming vegan, and then becoming an even more healthy vegan, I learned to make crispy fries without oil or fat.

If you follow my blog, you know I use potatoes a lot in my cooking. From soups, stews, salads, and side dishes, potatoes are at the center of my cooking.

Recently, Paul and I ate at a vegan Vietnamese restaurant close to our home. As usual, we ordered a variety of dishes to taste and share. The Vietnamese French Fries were fabulous. Unfortunately, they were deep-fried, loaded with peanuts, vegan mayo, and vegan cheese.  They were delicious but fattening. Yes, vegan food can be very fattening.

So, I embarked on a mission to make Vietnamese French Fries just as tasty without the fat and calories. I made a Bahn Mi Sandwich serve with the french fries for a Vietnamese themed dinner.

Although the restaurant version used white, baking potatoes, I chose sweet potatoes. I cut my potatoes with my Mandolin into thin cut french fries. I soaked them in water for approximately an hour, and then I drained them. Since I chose to not use oil, I left them wet, but I also tossed the fries in rice vinegar. Then, I sprinkled heavily with chili powder, garlic powder, and fresh ground pepper. The seasoning sticks to the potatoes because of the moisture created by the water and vinegar.

The temperature in the oven is the key to crispy, oil-free french fries. The oven must be pre-heated to 425 degrees BEFORE you place the fries in the oven. It is also important to move the fries around in the pan and make sure they are in a single layer not overlapping.

The other secret to these fires is the cilantro and sauces. I did not want to use garlic mayonnaise, so I opted for avocado, lime, cilantro sauce to compliment the fresh cilantro used between the layers of fries.

Furthermore, I used Sriracha just like the restaurant version. We love Sriracha, so it was a must. If you don’t like it spicy, skip the heat.

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Baked Sweet Potato Vietnamese Loaded French Fries

Baked, Crispy, Sweet Potato Fries Layered with Cilantro and Drizzled with Avocado, Lime, Cilantro Cream and Sriracha.

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Ingredients

Sweet Potato Fries

• 3 Sweet Potatoes, skin on, washed and cut into thin cut french fries
• 3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
• 2 teaspoons Fresh Ground Pepper
• 1 cup, cleaned and chopped Cilantro

Avocado, Lime, Cilantro Cream

• 1 Avocado pitted, skin removed
• 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
• 1/2 cup Cilantro
• 1/2 cup Water

Sriracha Drizzle (Optional)

• Drizzle with Sriracha

Instructions

Sweet Potato Fries

• Pre-heat oven to 425.
• Line a baking pan with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
• Using a Mandalen or a knife, cut thin cut french fries (consistent size is important for even cooking)
• Place cut potatoes in a bowl and cover with water.
• Leave for 30 minutes (this cleans them a second time and also removes some starch, which helps the crispiness).
• Drain water and return potatoes to bowl.
• Toss in rice vinegar.
• Add garlic powder, chili powder, and pepper.
• Toss with your hands and make a single layer of french fries on the baking pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes at 425.
• Then, using a spatula or by simply shaking the pan, move the fries around to make sure they cook evenly.
• Put back into oven for another 15 minutes.

Avocado, Lime, Cilantro Cream

• In a single cup high speed blender combine avocado, cilantro, water and lime juice.
• Blender on high until smooth.
• Transfer to a plastic squeeze bottle.
• Refrigerate.

Serve

• Place fries on a plate
• Sprinkle with chopped cilantro
• Place Avocado Cream sauce in a squeeze bottle
• Drizzle over the top of the fries
• Add Sriracha drizzle as desired