Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Vegan “Ranch”

Takes 1 Hour

Sweet Potato Fries Ingredients:

• 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt + more for serving
• Optional: 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Vegan Chile Lime “Ranch” Ingredients:

• ¾ cup vegan mayonnaise
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Chile Lime Seasoning Blend*
• 1 tablespoon dried dill
• Salt to taste**
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

* If you cannot find this (or just don’t have time to run to the store,) you can substitute in chile powder.

** I like to use Better than Bouillon Vegetable Base for added depth of flavor. You can buy this at most specialty markets and (often) at Costco.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. To prepare sweet potatoes: Peel sweet potatoes and slice long-ways into ½ inch thick slices. Lay slices flat and slice again into ½ inch thick strips. (For longer sweet potatoes, you may want to cut these strips in half.) You will want the fries to be equal-ish in size so that they cook evenly – but don’t stress about them looking perfect! Add sweet potatoes to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, sea salt and thyme, if desired.
3. Place fries single-layer on parchment-paper-lined baking sheets and put in the oven. While cooking, check fries every 10 minutes or so, rotating 180 degrees and/or top and bottom racks, to allow for equal cooking.
4. Depending on your oven, the fries should take 30-40 minutes to cook. Remove from the oven when they are golden and crispy, but not too dark. (Some burnt-looking edges are okay, but don’t overdo it.) Add salt to taste and serve immediately.
5. While fries are cooking, make the vegan chile lime “ranch:” add all ingredients to a bowl and stir with a fork to combine completely. Adjust seasoning as desired.
6. Enjoy the sweet potato fries fresh out of the oven and dipped in this fabulous “ranch”!