You know those recipes that you make once… and then suddenly they’re in your regular rotation forever?
Yeah. These oven-baked sweet potato fries with spicy aioli are that recipe.

I originally made these on one of those “I want something snacky but still kind of healthy” nights. I didn’t feel like deep frying anything, didn’t want a ton of cleanup, and definitely didn’t want to pull out six different pans. Enter: sweet potatoes, one sheet pan, a quick homemade aioli, and about 30 minutes of oven magic.

And listen - I’ve tried a LOT of sweet potato fry recipes over the years. Soggy fries. Burnt edges. Bland seasoning. Fries that look good but taste like disappointment. These? Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, perfectly seasoned with all-purpose seasoning, and finished with flaky sea salt like they came straight out of a trendy café.

Then there’s the spicy aioli. Ohhh the aioli. It’s creamy, garlicky, a little smoky, a little spicy, and dangerously dippable. I’m not saying you’ll start dipping other things into it… but I’m also not saying you won’t.

So if you’re in the mood for a cozy snack, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or an easy side dish this one is for you!

Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Fries

Let me hype these up for a second:

They’re baked, not fried – so way lighter and less greasy
Crispy edges, fluffy centers – the dream texture combo
Super simple seasoning – just all-purpose seasoning + oil
One pan – minimal cleanup (we love that energy)
That spicy aioli – honestly deserves its own fan club
Perfect for everything – movie nights, dinner sides, party snacks, late-night cravings

Basically: they’re easy, they’re cozy, and they make you feel like a kitchen genius with very little effort.

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potato Fries:

For the Spicy Aioli:

The Steps

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (or lightly grease it).

Wash and dry your sweet potatoes. Cut them into evenly sized fries - about ¼ to ½ inch thick works great.

Step 2: Season the Fries

Add the sweet potato fries to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until they’re fully coated.

Sprinkle over the all-purpose seasoning (and smoked paprika and garlic powder if using). Toss again so every fry is evenly seasoned.

Step 3: Bake Until Crispy

Spread the fries out in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure they’re not overlapping - this is key for crispiness.

Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the fries and return to the oven for another 12–15 minutes, or until golden, crispy on the edges, and tender inside.

If you want extra crispiness, you can broil them for 1–2 minutes at the end - just keep a close eye so they don’t burn.

Step 4: Make the Spicy Aioli

While the fries are baking, whisk together all the aioli ingredients in a small bowl:

Mayonnaise
Minced garlic
Lemon juice
Hot sauce
Smoked paprika
Salt
Chili flakes (if using)

Taste and adjust - more lemon for brightness, more hot sauce for heat, more salt if needed. Pop it in the fridge to chill while the fries finish baking.

Step 5: Finish & Serve

Once the fries are done, transfer them to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt and a little chopped parsley or chives if you want to be fancy.

Serve hot with a side of spicy aioli for dipping.

Try not to eat half of them straight off the pan. (I fail at this every time.)

The Secret to Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries get a bad reputation for being soggy. But that’s not their fault - it’s usually a technique issue.

Here’s what makes these actually crispy:

Cut them evenly
Try to keep your fries about the same thickness so they cook at the same rate. Too thin = burnt. Too thick = soft middles that never crisp.
Don’t overcrowd the pan
This is huge. If the fries are piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of roast. Spread them out in a single layer. Use two pans if you have to - it’s worth it.
High heat
We’re baking these at 425°F (220°C). That high temp helps caramelize the edges and crisp them up.
Flip halfway through
This makes sure both sides get that golden, roasted goodness.
Finish with flaky sea salt
This isn’t just for looks (though it does look cute). The little bursts of salt on top take these fries from “good” to “restaurant-level.”

Let’s Talk About That Spicy Aioli

This spicy aioli is ridiculously easy and tastes like something you’d pay extra for at a restaurant.

It’s creamy, tangy, a little smoky, and has just enough heat to keep things interesting without overpowering the sweet potatoes. You can totally customize the spice level depending on your mood - add more hot sauce or chili flakes if you like it fiery, or keep it mellow for dipping with kids.

I love it because:

It comes together in 2 minutes
It uses simple pantry ingredients
It stores well in the fridge for a few days
It goes with everything (fries, burgers, veggies, sandwiches…)

Once you make it once, you’ll start finding excuses to put it on everything.

Tips & Variations

Want them extra crispy?
Toss the fries with 1 teaspoon cornstarch before baking. It helps create an even crispier coating.

No all-purpose seasoning?
Make your own mix with:

1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Make it vegan:
Use vegan mayo for the aioli - everything else is already plant-based.

Change up the dip:

Add honey for a sweet-spicy aioli
Swap hot sauce for chipotle in adobo for smoky heat
Add a splash of pickle juice for tang

How to Store & Reheat

Storing:

Fries: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
Aioli: Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days

Reheating fries:

Oven: 400°F for 8–10 minutes
Air fryer: 375°F for 5–7 minutes
(Avoid the microwave, it makes them sad and soggy.)

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple, cozy, crowd-pleasing recipe that feels way fancier than it is - these oven-baked sweet potato fries with spicy aioli are it.

They’re the kind of snack you make “just for yourself” and then immediately regret not doubling because everyone in the house suddenly appears asking for a bite.

So go grab some sweet potatoes, turn on your oven, and treat yourself. And if you make these, I need to know how you liked them!

Looking for more side dish recipes? Try my popular recipes below:

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Spicy Aioli