Jerk-Spiced Sweet Potato Fries

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Oven-baked sweet potato fries tossed in a zesty Caribbean jerk spice blend, offering a sweet, smoky, and spicy snack or side dish. This caribbean-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes turns olive oil, brown sugar, paprika 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 190 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 190 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch fries
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 3 peeled and cut sweet potatoes (1/2-inch fries) in a large bowl.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Whisk until well blended.
Step 3: Pour the spice mixture over the sweet potato fries and toss thoroughly to coat each fry evenly.
Step 4: Spread the fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, making sure they are not crowded.
Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through, until they are golden, crisp at the edges, and tender inside.
Step 6: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving as a flavorful snack or side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Jerk-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 Jerk-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 Jerk-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 Jerk-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 Jerk-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.