Recipe

Thanksgiving-Inspired Sweet Potato Fries to Satisfy All Your Cravings

By Amelia Popowics at University of Michigan

Let's face it: Thanksgiving is a lot of work. So when Thanksgiving cravings strike and there's no chance of you standing in the kitchen for hours on end preparing all your favorite dishes, appease your tastebuds with these quick Thanksgiving-inspired sweet potato fries. Capturing all the cozy flavors of the holiday, this pair of savory and sweet recipes makes a perfect feast for one. 

Savory Sweet Potato Fries

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable broth

Amelia Popowics

Step 1

Wash the sweet potato and cut off the ends and any sprouts or bad spots. Chop the potato into sticks about 1/2 inch in width.

Amelia Popowics

Step 2

In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with the vegetable broth, rosemary, and thyme. Arrange the fries on a baking sheet so that none are overlapping. Line the baking sheet with a silicone mat, parchment paper, or aluminum foil to prevent the fries from sticking.

Amelia Popowics

Step 3

Roast the fries at 450° Fahrenheit until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes, flipping halfway to ensure even cooking.

Amelia Popowics

To elevate these savory fries, serve them with this fast vegan gravy, adapted from the Simple Vegan Blog's recipe. Vegetable broth lends the gravy a surprising depth of flavor and richness, no pan drippings necessary. (Pro tip: for maximum efficiency, whip up this gravy while waiting for your fries to roast.)

Quick Vegan Gravy

  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • black pepper to taste

Amelia Popowics

Step 1

Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low. Stirring frequently, cook until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.

Amelia Popowics

Now I hope you saved room, because somewhere up in the clouds, angels are singing about the dessert fries coming up next. Warm cinnamon, luscious nut butter, and sweet dried fruit harmonize in an autumnal symphony that's the stuff of Thanksgiving dreams. Seriously. They're that good. 

Dessert Sweet Potato Fries

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp pecan or almond butter
  • 1 tbsp raisins or dried cranberries
  • 1 tsp pumpkin seeds

Amelia Popowics

Step 1

Wash the sweet potato and cut off the ends and any bad spots or sprouts. Chop the potato into sticks 1/2 inch in width.

Amelia Popowics

Step 2

In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with the cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Arrange on a baking sheet so that none are overlapping. Line the baking sheet with a silicone mat, parchment paper, or aluminum foil to prevent the fries from sticking.

Amelia Popowics

Step 3

Roast the sweet potato fries at 450° Fahrenheit until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes, flipping halfway to ensure even cooking.

Amelia Popowics

Step 4

Transfer to the fries to a bowl and top them with nut butter, raisins or dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.

Amelia Popowics

So there you have it: a glorious Thanksgiving feast, sans the stress of carving a turkey and the awkwardness of making small talk with your distant relatives. I hope you give these Thanksgiving-inspired sweet potato fries a try, whether it's November or the middle of summer. As far as I'm concerned, any time is a good time to be thankful for sweet potatoes.