Sweet Cayenne Fries
Ingredients
- 2 large baking potatoes
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (for garnish)
Directions
- Scrub the potatoes and slice into thin fries, leaving the skin intact
- Soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove the starch
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Strain and pat completely dry with a kitchen towel making sure to remove all water
- Toss the fries with olive oil and seasonings and then spread evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer with space between fries
- Bake for 20 minutes
- Increase the oven temperature to 425°F and allow to bake until they reach the desired crispiness. About another 20-25 minutes
- Garnish with fresh thyme and enjoy!
I’m a sucker for sweet-hot fries dipped in ketchup. I had some fries at Paragon Brewery in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho years ago that were to die for. Seasoned with brown sugar and cayenne pepper – I have made them this way at home ever since!
I don’t have a fryer and to be honest, when I need to fry anything I usually use my fondue pot. Who can argue with easy cleanup? But for this recipe, I like to get my crispy, thin fries cooked up in the oven. Starting them off at a lower temperature and then finishing them a little higher helps get them nice and crisp. Just like when making hash browns at home, it’s important to soak your cut potatoes in cold water to remove starch. Then be sure to dry them off as best you can before seasoning and cooking. If you prefer to use your air-fryer or to traditionally fry them in oil, go for it! But don’t miss out on adding some brown sugar and cayenne to spice things up!
These are great as an appetizer and with any sandwich or burger. Personally, my favorite is to have them as a side to a perfectly cooked rib eye. The cayenne can be a little hot, so if you’re preference is on the sweet side, you might want to cut the cayenne here in half for your first batch. My initial recipe had almost double the cayenne listed here it was a little too much for our home! Give them a whirl, and I hope you enjoy!
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