Once I discovered the magic that is sweet potato fries years ago, there was no going back. Sure, I still enjoy the occasional traditional fry but I almost always go for sweet. What’s not to love? They’re sweet, perfect with salt, tender, slightly crispy and delicious with just about any dip (ketchup me, please).
That being said, I couldn’t help but take my affection for sweet potato fries beyond savory settings. I kept dreaming about this big pile of sweet potato fries doused in all things sweet. Turns out, this was a good idea. Next girls night I have, I know what I’m making.
Just because these are dessert fries doesn’t mean they’re unhealthy. In fact, they pack in 5 superfoods in their warm, sticky-sweet glory. This is cause for celebration if you ask me.
It all starts with baked sweet potato fries, lightly dressed in olive oil and salt. Then comes the sauce. Peanut butter lovers rejoice!
If you aren’t into peanut butter or just prefer almond, go that route instead. Next time I make these I think I’ll go that route because sweet potato and almond butter are simply meant to be together. But you can never go wrong with peanut butter.
What’s next? Oh yes – DARK CHOCOLATE.
I melted some dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips and poured it on. So seriously good. If you’ve never experienced sweet potatoes and dark chocolate, you’re simply missing out.
Last but not least? Coconut whipped cream, toasted nuts, and pomegranate arils. Oh mama.
So where do all these super food health benefits come in? Allow me to explain.
Nuts – Nuts are high in protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and arginine, which can help lower blood pressure. Some research has even found that regular consumption of nuts can help you live longer. They also steady blood sugar, lower cholesterol and can help fight dementia.
Sweet Potatoes – Gorgeous sweet potatoes are packed with nutritional benefits. They’re high in vitamin B6, vitamin C (wards of cold and flu viruses and keeps the skin youthful), vitamin D (stabilizes energy levels, mood and promotes healthy bones, nerves, skin and teeth), iron (promotes healthy immune function), magnesium (promotes healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle and nerve function). They’re also high in carotenoids like beta carotene, which helps strengthen eyesight and boost the immune system.
Coconut – Although high in saturated fat, coconut has been found to contain medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently by the body than long chain fatty acids (the kind found in high-fat fried foods and animal products). Coconuts are also high in fiber, vitamins C, E and B vitamins, as well as iron, selenium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous.
Pomegranate – Pomegranates are high in B vitamins, potassium, folic acid and iron. Pomegranate juice has been found to help improve blood flow, and their anti-inflammatory properties may help prevent cancer.
Dark Chocolate – Found to possibly decrease stroke risk and lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate is high in fiber and antioxidants, which help prevent cancer and protect skin from UV damage. Regular consumption can also boost your mood, improve blood flow, and even perk up your vision.
Need I say more? You need this big plate of super food dessert in your life.
This is the type of dessert that needs to be eaten fresh! It’s not nearly as delicious once cooled and doesn’t keep well. So invite over a few friends to enjoy these. Otherwise, just slim down the ingredients to suit one – I generally recommend 1 sweet potato per person. Enjoy!
Superfood Sweet Potato Dessert Fries
Ingredients
- 5-6 sweet potatoes (washed and scrubbed)
- 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup natural salted peanut putter (creamy or crunchy // or sub almond butter)
- 1/4 cup dairy-free bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Coconut Whipped Cream
- 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
- 2 Tbsp roasted mixed nuts (for topping)
- Ground cinnamon (optional // for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (232 C).
- Slice sweet potatoes into even wedges by halving, halving again, then cutting off the pointy wedge into a small “fry.” Cut the remaining wedge in half if it appears too large. Continue until all fries are sliced.
- Arrange fries over 2-3 baking sheets and toss with olive oil and a healthy pinch of salt. Align in a single layer – you don’t want them overlapping or touching too snuggly or they won’t brown.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip for even cooking. Bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden brown and at the desired doneness.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with a bit more salt and a little ground cinnamon (optional), and let cool for a few minutes.
- To make the peanut butter sauce, simply thin with hot water until pourable. Sweeten with agave or maple syrup if desired (I left mine plain). If your peanut butter is already soft enough, there’s no need to thin it. Just add it as is.
- To make the chocolate sauce, simply microwave chocolate chips in 30-second increments until melted. Alternatively, use a double boiler to melt. Add a touch of coconut oil to thin if desired to make it more pourable.
- Arrange fries on a serving platter and drizzle with the peanut butter and chocolate. Top with coconut whipped cream and pomegranate arils and nuts. Dust with more cinnamon. Serve immediately.
Notes
*This dessert needs to be eaten fresh! It’s not nearly as good once cooled and doesn’t really keep well. To make for less people, just slim down the ingredients to suit the number of people – I generally recommend 1 sweet potato per person.
Monica says
Sweet potato dessert…don’t teach me this. Control and restraint. I am thinking now who can I invite into my home just to eat this and what wine will go with sweet potatoes, chocolate, peanut butter, coconut…. I’m weak.
Tonya says
You’ve peeked interest! I’m in! But I eat Peanut Butter on my chicken. LOL! Will try!
Olga Amaya says
I just made this super dessert, it came out pretty legit!! Another amazing recipe from you guys…
Thanks, keep doing what you’re doing!!!!
chocolate says
8) focused on thirteen patients with mild hypertension who were
allowed to eat chocolate bars (either dark or
white) daily for two weeks. You can try volunteering to bake cupcakes as your gift for the birthday celebration or come prepared by making a special gift of treats for
the celebrant then handing out smaller portions for the party to
enjoy. They were usually full of flavour along with
the range of different types of fruity jellies was large – so I was in heaven.
Danielle says
These look amazing! I cannot wait to try them. Your photographs and recipes are just stunning and delectable. Thank you for all the inspiration and for the blogger resources! I plan on signing up for Blogger University and the Food Photography course as soon as I save up a bit. Your approach to professional, minimal, honest blogging is exactly what I would like to pursue.
Thank you! Glad you’ve found inspiration here. Let us know if you have any questions along the way!
Rachel says
I tried this recipe with just the dark chocolate and peanut butter to try it out and WOW!!! Tastes just like Nutella and the fries work so well with the sweet kick. Loved it!
Nice! So glad you liked it, Rachel! Cheers.
Tin says
Oh my! We have a lot of camote (sweet potato) around here and will surely prepare this for my little sibs :-)
Oh by the way, this is the article I wrote where I included Minimalist Baker as one of the 5 most enriching minimalism websites out there.
Crista says
mmmhmmm …this is the most amazing post.
am i going to make these sweet potato fries immediately? who knows….
Kayla says
Seriously, this recipe is LIFE. I love you, Dana. :D
warm fuzzies :D
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
I saw these on my phone and was like ‘what! no! genius! love! need’ …. ALL those thoughts and more were running through my head when I saw these gorgeous photos. So cool, need to try these!
Olivia says
One of the most creative recipes I’ve seen in a while!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
What a great use of the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes! I am blown away by the creativity of this dessert. The coconut whipped cream, the pomegranates, the CHOCOLATE -> in love! Pinning!
Tammi says
Oh My! I would never have considered using sweet potato fries as a base for a dessert but this looks absolutely AH-MAZE-ING! Need to try this ASAP.
mila says
Oh my! What an awesome idea!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
Sweet superfood dessert sweet potatoes fries?!? What an ingenious idea – I cannot imagine how delicious these babies must taste! Cannot wait to try – I always have a stock of sweet potatoes waiting to be devoured in my cupboard :D
Abbie @ Needs Salt says
This thing looks amazing. How come I’ve never heard of dessert fries before? What a brilliant idea. I could just like… eat that entire plate for dinner. Is that weird?
Pinning!
Lisa says
Looks awesome!!
L x
Lisa @ Simple Pairings says
So creative! I love the salty/sweet combination – and what beautiful presentation!
Lori Delgado says
Hi Dana, omg you are a saint! These look & sound AMAING, but I must say, forget dessert, I am totally going to make these for myself for dinner. Thank you!
Emily @ Life on Food says
These look fantastic!! I love sweet potatoes fries and now all I can think about it making some dessert ones. Loving it big time.
Olivia says
I’ve fantasized about making something similar to this but I didn’t imagine it looking nearly THIS divine. I’m so excited to try this out – thank you!
Ashley @ musingsandoats says
Oh my goodness! These look excellent. For as much as I eat sweet potatoes/love them, I have no idea how I never thought to go the dessert route vs. the just-for-dinner-route. Thank you for this!
Molly @Doughvelopment says
Wow. How has this not become a thing sooner?! It sounds utterly fantastic!
That’s what I said! ;D
Barbara says
Wow this just changed my life.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Love love love! In my first cookbook, I did a PB & J sweet potato sweet-and-savory dessert fries. But I’ve never used chocolate. You are SO smart! :) pinned
Ooh, PB&J sounds like a winner. Thanks for the share, Averie!
Kelly Feller says
Oh wow! This might be too dangerous to try!!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Wow – what a fantastic idea. I want to dive right into that plate right NOW!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Seeing as how I absolutely LOVE almond butter (vanilla and maple flavored are my favorites!) on my sweet potatoes, these sound AMAZING.
Renée Yoxon says
oh my god it’s a dessert poutine!!!
Indeed! Who wouldn’t love a good poutine? ;D
Kaycee says
Totally agree that sweet potatoes and almond butter are made for each other..Justin’s maple almond butter on a baked sweet potato- delish.
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
Oh man. Drool…
Helena says
Made these last night and they turned out soooo well. My husband loved them too. The flavors all work together so well! It seriously tasted like cake. I will definitely be making these more regularly.
Thanks so much, Helena!
Nazia @ This Baker Girl Blogs says
Oh my!!! My jaw dropped, my eyes buldged and my heart leapt from my chest. I need this.
Rosanna says
Oh wow, This has just blown me away. Must try these!
I love sweet potato fries but I always add some spice to them. These both look and sound amazing.
Nicola says
Oh my! What a fantastic idea and that sure does look like a plate of heaven that I want to dive into!