Clean Eating Sweet Potato Fries

by The Gracious Pantry on January 26, 2010

Clean Eating Sweet Potato Fries

I’m an evil woman. I know this about myself.

You see, I have this diabolical plan for my son’s nutrition. If I can introduce him to the healthy versions of every kind of junk food out there…. and really get him to like the healthy pizza, burgers, fries, chicken fingers and milk shakes, then… when he eats the actual junk food (and you know he’ll get his hands on it somehow, somewhere, some way, at some point), he won’t like it. Or at the very least, he’ll know how to prepare the healthier version when he gets older and won’t mind doing so.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about clean eating, it’s that if you do it long enough, you can never really go back. Junk food just doesn’t taste the same. For the most part, it tastes like…. junk. (What a concept!)

So I devised this rather simple recipe for clean eating french fries.

The great thing about kids, is that their taste buds haven’t been totally annihilated by refined foods yet. They tend to prefer simple things without a ton of over-the-top flavor.

Unless you give your kids McDonald’s french fries on a regular basis, I would be willing to bet they will love these. And even if they do get the McDonald fries (~gasp!), give these a try. I bet your kids will surprise you.

And guess what…. my son LOVES them!

Part 1 of my diabolical plan is in motion. Of course, it will be years before we arrive at part 2 (the tasting of actual junk food), but I’m okay with that. It gives me years to brain wash him into loving healthy foods.

Evil.

Yep….

Evil.

Clean Eating French Fries

Ingredients
4 small sweet potatoes
Olive oil in an oil sprayer
Garlic powder
Salt to taste

Directions

Step 1 – Clean and cut your potatoes into kid friendly sizes.

Clean Eating French Fries Recipe

Step 2 – Lay them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (no wax paper please!)

Step 3 – Spray with a very light coat of olive oil.

Step 4 – Sprinkle a generous amount of garlic powder over the potatoes.

Step 5 – Bake at 350 degrees F. for approximately 30 – 40 minutes.

Step 6 – Sprinkle with a VERY light coat of salt. This is just enough to bring out the flavors. NOT enough to actually make them salty. About 1/4 tsp. for the entire batch.

Step 7 – Let cool slightly and serve.

Eat and Enjoy!

Nutritional Content
(Nutritional values are for the entire recipe)

Calories: 393
Total Fat: 5 gm
Saturated Fats: 1 gm
Trans Fats: 0 gm
Cholesterol: 0 gm
Sodium: 216 mg
Carbohydrates: 82 gm
Dietary fiber: 12 gm
Sugars: 18 gm
Protein: 7 gm
Estimated Glycemic Load: 34

Nutritional Information estimated at Nutritiondata.com. Data may not be accurate.

Munchkin Helpers:

If you have little ones, here’s how they can help (With close supervision, of course).

Older kids can chop up the potatoes and younger children can help sprinkle on the garlic powder.

Caution: Any time a child is in the kitchen, they will require close supervision. Munchkin Helpers suggestions should be applied with common sense to your own child, taking their own capabilities into account. Do not assume that because it says here that your child can do something, that they can, in fact do it. Please use common sense when in the kitchen with your child(ren).

Enjoyed this recipe? Like it, Tweet it and leave a comment below!

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  • http://www.stircrazyblog.com Cailin

    Protecting our little ones from the world of junk food will definitely be a challenge, but one I’m willing to take as well! I have a few years until I have to worry about it with my little guy too, but I think you’re right to start them early. I LOVE baked sweet potato “fries”… a wonderful, healthier, and tastier alternative!

  • http://www.thegraciouspantry.com The Gracious Pantry

    Cailin – Yeah! So glad I’m not the only “evil mom”. lol. Good for you. You’re right. It’s worth the challenge!

  • Lori

    Just tried the fries, and my husband and I both loved them! These will definitely become a regular on the menu!

  • http://www.thegraciouspantry.com The Gracious Pantry

    Lori – That’s fabulous! And pumpkin is so very healthy for you. Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

  • angela houy

    I have a recipe similiar but you add parika and cinnamon and no garlic…it has salt andolove oil then baked and ithasa sweet taste to it…I will have to try this one too!

  • http://www.thegraciouspantry.com The Gracious Pantry

    Angela – That sounds yummy! I’ll have to try it your way next time!

  • lance

    Thats exactly how I make mine. Its so simple and so good. You don’t need to smoother your yam in butter&brown sugar. They taste awesome almost by themselves.

  • Anonymous

    Lance – They do! It’s amazing how good plain and simple food can taste when it’s prepared correctly. Yummy stuff!

  • Anonymous

    Jessica – I really think they are the perfect side dish! Enjoy!

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