Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

FAQs

Are baked fries heart healthy? ›

French fries and other fried foods

But those fries also contain salt, another threat to your cardiovascular health. Next time you have a craving, opt for making some “oven-baked fries” by slicing potatoes and baking on high heat with olive oil rather than their deep-fried alternative.

Sweet potato fries are slightly higher in calories and carbs but also more nutrient dense than French fries. The greatest nutrient difference is that French fries have no vitamin A, while sweet potato fries are high in this nutrient. Vitamin A is important for your vision and immune system ( 2 ).

The secret to crispy (instead of soggy) sweet potato fries is to spread them out in an even layer with enough room so that they don't touch. This is especially important if you're making a big batch of fries. Instead of just piling more onto one baking pan, spread them out over two baking pans or cook them in batches.

Sweet potatoes are often touted as being healthier than white potatoes, but in reality, both types can be highly nutritious. While regular and sweet potatoes are comparable in their calorie, protein, and carb content, white potatoes provide more potassium, whereas sweet potatoes are incredibly high in vitamin A.

Potatoes. There's no reason to shun potatoes because they are often considered a "bad" starch. As long as they're not deep-fried, potatoes can be good for your heart. They're rich in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure, and they're high in fiber, which can lower the risk for heart disease.

You can still eat sweet potatoes if you have diabetes, assures Huff. The fiber content in sweet potatoes, especially if you consume them with the skin on, can help reduce spikes in your blood sugar. Plus, how you cook your sweet potatoes can also help reduce the extent to which your blood sugar rises.

Sweet potato fries have fewer total lipid fats than French fries and contain virtually no saturated fats. If you need to closely monitor your cholesterol levels, sweet potato fries can be a healthier choice than French fries.

Sweet potatoes are relatively high in dietary fiber, which helps keep you full longer and balances your gut and digestion. It's a crucial part of every diet, but especially for those that don't want to feel hungry eating a lower calorie diet.

Many readers ask if they really need to soak the sweet potatoes before baking to get that great crunch. I've tried it both ways and found that soaking the sweet potato fries for about 30 minutes or so in plenty of cold water does help them crisp up a bit more.

Why is my sweet potato not crispy in the oven? ›

The main reasons for soggy sweet potato wedges are: overcrowding the baking sheet, not tossing in enough oil, having too thick sized wedges, and not roasting at a high enough heat.

You can eat sweet potato skin. It's a good source of fiber, a nutrient that may help lower the risk of heart disease and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time. The next time you make a sweet potato dish, whether it's a roasted side dish or a hearty, cozy casserole, leave the peel on.

The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes has been shown to fight inflammation, and eating them regularly can help ease joint pain and other symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. If you're looking for a delicious way to reduce inflammation, add some sweet potatoes to a salad or bake alongside protein!

Eating a sweet potato post-workout is ideal as they contain copper, which can help replenish energy levels and protect the cardiovascular, nervous and skeletal system. It also strengthens the tendons needed to lift weights. Just one cup of baked sweet potato contains 36% of your daily copper needs.

All potatoes can fit into a healthy diet, but purple potatoes, red potatoes, and sweet potatoes—which are often grouped with potatoes—stand out due to their high amounts of protective plant compounds and essential nutrients.

Higher LDL and lower HDL cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. French fries may also be high in salt, which can increase blood pressure and affect heart health. Baked french fries may be a healthier alternative to deep-fried versions.

Baked Chips Are Lower in Fat

Baked chips are slightly lower in calorie, though both offer the same amount of sodium, which is also something to be mindful of if you have hypertension (high blood pressure) and follow a heart-healthy eating plan.

You are better off baking, roasting, grilling or steaming your food instead of frying it. Frying food increases your fat and calorie intake, especially if you bread foods before you fry them, fry at too low of a temperature or put too much food in the pan at once.

Not for cholesterol because the vegetable oil used to make potato chips doesn't contain cholesterol, nor do potatoes. However, potato chips are typically loaded with saturated fat, sodium and carbs, none of which are good for you. They are unhealthy snacks.