Big Four Bridge-Inspired Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
Oven-baked sweet potato fries dusted with a smoky and spicy seasoning blend, capturing the vibrant energy of Louisville’s iconic Big Four Bridge. This american-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes turns olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries large sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, toss 2 peeled and cut sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs) with 3 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the spice mix over the sweet potatoes and toss to coat all fries evenly with the seasoning blend.
- Step 5: Spread the fries in a single layer across the prepared baking sheets, making sure they are not overcrowded.
- Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fries are tender inside and edges are crispy and golden.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm as a flavorful snack or side.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Big Four Bridge-Inspired Spiced Sweet Potato Fries take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Big Four Bridge-Inspired Spiced Sweet Potato Fries?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Big Four Bridge-Inspired Spiced Sweet Potato Fries?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Big Four Bridge-Inspired Spiced Sweet Potato Fries for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Big Four Bridge-Inspired Spiced Sweet Potato Fries vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.