Sweet Potato Fries

Instructions

1. Prepare the sweet potatoes
   Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them into ½-inch thick sticks of even size to ensure uniform cooking. Place in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.
2. Season the fries
   In a large bowl, toss the dried sweet potato sticks with cornstarch until lightly coated. Add olive oil and toss to coat evenly. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, paprika, cayenne (if using), oregano, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this spice mixture over the oiled sweet potatoes and toss until evenly coated.
3. Arrange for baking
   Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange the sweet potato sticks in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. This is crucial for achieving crispiness - overcrowding will result in steaming rather than crisping.
4. Bake to perfection
   Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then remove the trays and flip each fry. Return to the oven, rotating the position of the trays, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the edges are crispy and slightly browned. Watch carefully in the last few minutes to prevent burning.
5. Serve immediately
   Remove from the oven and sprinkle with a little extra sea salt while still hot. If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately for maximum crispiness. These fries are delicious on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce.