Sweet Potatoes. I love them. I know many of you do, too. But when you think of Sweet Potatoes, I’m sure your mind first goes to the traditional orange-fleshed spuds, right?
I mean, who wouldn’t want a piece of these beauties, right?
Well, I’m about to rock your world. I’ve discovered that these lovelies come in all shapes and sizes and colors (I may be late to the party on this one, but I’m here now!). And right now, I’m all about the Purple Sweet Potato. Yup, you read correctly. PURPLE! I stopped in my tracks when I started seeing them pop up at the local grocery stores. I was immediately intrigued and just had to try them.
How nice of the store to tell me exactly how to cook them! Of course, since I don’t follow instructions very well (just ask my parents), I decided to try them in a manner that I already knew and loved with the traditional orange variety–Oven Fries. I admit that there are few things as tasty as a fresh and crispy oven fry. While I realize that they are generally the go-to side for burgers and other sandwiches, I love them on the side of anything. Heck, making them for a snack is fine by me, too!
The flavor is very similar to orange sweet potatoes, but the texture is a little waxier and more firm. That’s why if you roast them whole, you have to cook them a lot longer. But with the fries, I don’t think they were any more work or took that much longer to roast than the ones we already know and love.
Toss them with olive oil and your favorite herbs, and voila! You’re now on the Purple Sweet Potato band wagon! Welcome aboard.
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 2 servings | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 30 minutes |
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I had a purple bedroom when I was a kid, and I am sure that if I'd known these Purple Sweet Potato Fries were an option back then, I'd have had platefuls of them while sitting in my purple palace! Try them with your kids and see how much fun they have with the color AND the flavors!
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- 1 large purple sweet potato, washed, dried and sliced
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Use a large and sturdy knife to cut into them, as they are more dense than their orange cousins.
- Slice 1 large potato (I promise that will be enough for 2 people!) into large wedges, making sure they are all approximately the same size to ensure even cooking. Place them on a foil-covered cookie sheet.
- Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt & pepper. Finely chop the fresh rosemary to release the flavors and fragrance from the herb.
- Sprinkle the potatoes with the rosemary. Toss to coat each potato slice with herbs and oil.
- Roast in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and turn each slice over, and then roast for an additional 15 minutes or until the fries can be pierced with a fork, and are beginning to crisp on the outside. Serve immediately and enjoy your new favorite snack!
If you like regular old sweet potato fries (which I do--I always order them when at a restaurant!), this twist on a favorite will send you over the moon! The texture is a little firmer than the orange variety, but that extra toothsome quality is a welcome change up. I like to dip mine in mayonnaise (a trick I learned living in Europe), but you could dip them in anything that floats your boat. But if no dip is in sight, I guarantee you'll love them as they are.
Purple Sweet Potatoes will be your new love!
I love purple sweet potatoes! I get them from our local farmers all the time here in NC. Delicious!!! The texture is definitely a little bit different but I love them and my kids love them. They look great chopped up with some root veggies and roasted…
Those are gorgeous! The beautiful purple color would probably entice my little kids all the more to eat them 🙂
Those purple sweet potatoes are so pretty!
Purple sweet potatoes, the color alone would encourage my daughter to try it. I, myself, really enjoy rosemary with my sweet potato fries.
I love purple potatoes! They’re so fun!
I love purple sweet potatoes, my kids love the novelty of the color too! I’m going to keep an eye out for some the next time I’m at the store.