A guilt-free way to satisfy major munchies!
Craving something crispy and crunchy but trying to stay healthy? No need to fret, friend. Just because you’re experiencing a snack attack doesn’t mean that your healthy eating plan is about to go up in flames. Our Sweet Potato Crunchies are sure to become your new, healthy, go-to snack!
Only Two Ingredients Required!
Skip the high-calorie vending machine potato chips and whip up a batch of these instead! They only require two ingredients – sweet potatoes and olive oil (although you can feel free to add on a number of different spices and seasonings to satisfy your current cravings.)
Take them to the movies, work, school, or even use them atop salads and soups for a delicious crunch. These crunchies are so versatile; the sky’s the limit! If you enjoy these crunchies, you might also like to try our Baked Sweet Potato Chips with Rosemary and Sea Salt.
Tips for Success
This recipe is super easy to make, but we do have a few tips for keeping your frustration levels low while making it. For starters, you could certainly hand-cut the sweet potatoes into strips, but it will take a long time! Instead, we like taking a shortcut by using a julienne peeler (this one is my personal favorite). You could also use a mandoline, but we find the peeler is much safer to use and the risk of cutting yourself is significantly reduced.
Next up, once you’re ready to cook the strips, be sure to keep a close eye on them. Since they’re so thin, they can burn very easily! We like roasting them at 375 degrees F because it’s the best way to ensure the strands will crisp up. That being said, some ovens run hot, so you can reduce the heat to 350 degrees F if you’re worried. Ultimately, the best way to keep these Sweet Potato Crunchies from burning is to stir them every 10 minutes so they bake evenly.
Finally, you don’t want them to burn but you also don’t want them to become soggy! The whole point is that they’re crispy and satisfying. Make sure that they have plenty of space to breathe on the sheet pan. This will become especially important as you’re stirring them. If they’re too close together, they will steam instead of roast.
Optional Spices and Herbs
There are a number of ways to keep this crunchy snack new and exciting! Flavor your Sweet Potato Crunchies with the following herbs or spices. Simply toss them with the strips and olive oil before baking.
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Cayenne Pepper
- Curry Powder
- Black Pepper
- Kosher or sea salt
- Dried Thyme
Sweet Potato Crunchies
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for a sweeter taste use unrefined (non-hydrogented) coconut oil
Instructions
- Peel sweet potato and cut into julienne strips (the easiest way is to use a julienne peeler)
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Add strings to a large mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Spread strings evenly over a large cookie sheet. Stir every 10 minutes and continue to bake until crispy, approximately 30 minutes. Strings will continue to get crispy after coming out of the oven. Discard any potato strings that are overly brown. Allow to cool at room temperature. Store in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
- Eat as a snack, salad topper, or atop soup and many other side dishes.
Nutrition Information
Have you made this recipe?
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Are you going to enjoy this crunchy snack plain, or are you going to add some spices? Either way, you’re going to adore them. Let us know your plan in the comment section below!
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Editor’s note: This post was originally published on January 8, 2013.
Was so excited to make these, but a lot burned before anything else got crunchy. I took them out of the oven. Just put them back in, with the heat off, to see if they would dry out. There was a LOT on the pan, so maybe I should have done two batches?
Erica, You do have to watch them closely or they will burn. Since all ovens bake differently, try reducing the heat to 325 degrees.
Sounds great to me
When I pin this the picture is of the Spiral Cutter instead of the bowl of crunchies
I'm working on this now. 🙂
Tasted great, but never got them really crunchy. a few were toasted, but the majority were just baked. Have also decided I will never hand-julienne again, what a pain lol. Off to look for a julienne disc for my food processor…
That should cut them thinner, the smaller they are the crisper they will get;).
Also a convection setting on the oven gets things extra crisp.
Sadly, my processor apparently has no julienne blades that fit it, and my landlords didn't spring for anything above "does the oven work? good."
It's ok, they were really VERY good, I would definitely make them again even if they turned out the exact same way.
if you get a decent mandolin, it should come with a julienne blade. Thats how I did mine and they were AWESOME
That's true. You have to be really careful with your fingers using a julienne blade.
You can also use a spiralizer, it’s one of my top 3 kitchen gadgets.
Great tip, thanks Ken!
I grated these too thin and they became more like clumps of shaved sweet potato. Still yummy though! Used them to top tonight's dinner soup. Will try to grate larger next time.
Jess, Using them to top soup is a great idea!
So if one is to use oil, why not toss them in a wok? They should crisp up just as well as baking them. After all, the directions call for them to be stirred every 10 minutes anyway. This should work as written using a wok or deep pot (without adding extra oil).
Yes, you can use a wok or cook them on the stove top, but we would suggest cooking them over very low heat, as they can burn easily.
Sounds great, thanks i can’t wait to make them..question as with some “crispy” type potato recipes soaking is recommended first to break down the starches…I’m sure if this recipe called for it you would’ve said it but just wanted to be sure before i try it…as I’m probably going to make several batches at a time..
Thanks
Jamie, I’ve tried it both ways but haven’t noticed a real difference, so I don’t soak them first. Just keep a close eye on them as they easily burn. I love these on salads! YUM!!! 🙂
How long will these last for?
Brian, Up to 7 days, typically.
Hi Gale,
My name is Karen Jones, just found you on Pinterest. I was diagnosed with chronic Pancreatitis.
Just want to let you know I’m a nurse and not a alcoholic, just social 2 drink/month.
At time of discharge from the hospital month ago I went completely to plant-based diet I’m having a very difficult time with this I’m Italian and would like to eat. I was wondering Gail if you have any suggestions for meals that are primarily a vegan I’m really getting stuck here and I need some help. I’ve seen two dietitians and of course a tell me what I can eat when I can’t have but I ate I just wanted to reach out to see perhaps if you had any vegan recipe in and you know all the meals breakfast lunch and dinner just suggestions I’ve been doing that overnight quick oats and now I’m totally burnt out on them.
Thank you,
Karen
Hi Karen,
Oh dear, I understand it must be difficult. Please look over our vegetarian recipes https://skinnyms.com/category/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/.
Some of these may have dairy or eggs.
If you’d like to email me gale@skinnyms.com, I’d be happy to share some of my favorite plant based
recipes. The truth is, you can still enjoy delicious meals, just need to know where to look. 🙂
I’ll respond this week.
I’m excited to try these!! As a note, my sister gave me a ‘Veggie Bullet’ – what a great Sis, huh? It has a powerful motor that will easily handle the density of sweet potatoes and a spiralizer function. Looking forward to making these with spiralized sweet potatoes. Thanks
Let us know how your recipe turns out, Elizabeth!