Rum-Glazed Caribbean Sweet Potato Fries
Oven-baked sweet potato fries tossed in a sticky, spiced rum glaze for a sweet and savory Caribbean side dish. This caribbean-inspired caribbean ready in about 40 minutes pairs dark rum, brown sugar, ground cinnamon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 3 medium (about 4 cups) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries
- 3 tbsp dark rum
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large mixing bowl, toss 3 medium peeled and cut sweet potatoes (about 4 cups) with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread the sweet potato fries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between pieces. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until edges are crispy and fries are tender.
- Step 3: While fries bake, combine 3 tablespoons dark rum, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly (about 3-4 minutes).
- Step 4: Remove fries from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Pour the warm rum glaze over the fries and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Serve immediately as a sweet and spiced Caribbean side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Glazed Caribbean 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 Rum-Glazed Caribbean Sweet Potato Fries?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dark rum from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rum-Glazed Caribbean 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 Rum-Glazed Caribbean 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.
What goes well with Rum-Glazed Caribbean Sweet Potato Fries?
Caribbean caribbean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the balance of sweet and rum! Made them for my kids and they devoured them.
- ★★★★★
These fries were a hit at my family dinner! The rum glaze gave such a perfect Caribbean twist.
- ★★★★☆
Delicious, but the rum flavor was a bit subtle for my taste. Still, I'll make them again.