by Leigh Goessl

Created on: July 10, 2008   Last Updated: August 24, 2008

Are you tired of the same old potato recipes and are looking to try something new? Or are you trying to cut back on the calories? Are you searching for healthier alternatives to a favorite stand-by, the traditional french fry? If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may want to consider a tasty alternative, baked sweet potato fries.

French fries are a popular food with kids and adults alike, but the deep fried goodness of the traditional fries isn't the healthiest food to indulge in on a regular basis. If you don't want to sacrifice taste, but still enjoy the frequency, ease and convenience of fries, baked sweet potato fries are a terrific substitute.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Not only is this root vegetable good for you and chock full of nutrients, but their natural sweetness makes for great flavor too. Baked sweet potato fries are a wholesome substitute to serve with any meal.

Sweet potato fries also offer you the same "finger foods" feel as french fries, but with a unique and delightful taste. Preparation is a snap, ingredients are minimal, and the biggest investment to making them is the time it takes to for the fries to cook. Here's all you have to do to create great tasting fries the whole family will love:

Ingredients
*3 or 4 medium sized sweet potatoes
*Olive or canola oil
*Salt and pepper according to taste

Preparation
*Preheat oven to 400 degrees
*Peel and wash potatoes
*Cut sweet potatoes into narrow strips to resemble french fries (steak fries size works nicely, but you can cut the potatoes narrower if you prefer)
*Toss sweet potato strips into a bowl (or shake in a plastic zipper bag) with the oil until they are fully coated
*Add dashes of salt and pepper to taste
*Spread fries in a single layer on a baking tray (tip - spray the tray with some non-stick spray to avoid potential sticking) and bake for about 45 minutes turning over way through cooking time until lightly browned.

What's great about this basic recipe is that it can be varied according to your tastes or craving. You can experiment with sprinkling cinnamon, nutmeg or even parmesan cheese 1/2 way through baking time. Believe it or not, they are also good with traditional catsup once they come out of the oven. Kids love them served this way!

Sweet potatoes are a versatile vegetable which can be substituted for potatoes to make a great side dish or snack. Their sweet goodness is tasty enough to satisfy even the pickiest of palates.

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