Kumara Fries
Kumara cut into sticks, tossed in oil and cornflour and baked until the edges crisp. Four servings in 40 minutes.
Photograph credit: A tray of sweet potato fries by JamesTheLaptop · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Don't Make These Mistakes
Use two trays so the fries are not crowded.
Toss in cornflour before the oil for a crisper result.
Eat at once; they soften as they cool.
How to Make Kumara Fries
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Heat the oven to 220°C / 430°F (200°C / 390°F fan) with two large trays inside.
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Toss the kumara sticks with the cornflour in a large bowl, then with the oil, salt and paprika.
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Spread on the hot trays in a single layer and bake for 30 minutes, turning once, until the edges are crisp and golden.
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Rest for 2 minutes to crisp up and serve hot.
Why the Method Works
Kumara, the orange sweet potato of New Zealand, is soft when it cooks, and this is the challenge for any fry. A light coating of cornflour is the answer: it dries on the surface and gives the sticks a crust.
Cut them evenly, about 1 cm square. Thicker sticks cook through but never crisp; thinner ones burn.
Toss the sticks in a bowl with a spoonful of cornflour first, then the oil. Do the cornflour before the oil, so it clings dry to the kumara and forms a paste with the oil as the fries heat.
Bake on a hot tray, spread out, turning once. Space matters most: anything touching steams. Salt while still hot. Kumara fries crisp as they cool for a minute. Kumara has a natural sweetness that goes well with salty and sour dips. A bowl of yogurt with a squeeze of lemon, or a spoonful of sweet chilli sauce, makes a simple partner for the crisp edges.
After You've Cooked It
Best eaten straight away. Reheat on a tray at 220°C for 8 minutes.
Serving Kumara Fries
- Burgers
- Sour cream and chives
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Grilled sausages
Still Wondering?
How long does Kumara Fries take to make?
About 40 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Kumara Fries?
Use two trays so the fries are not crowded. Toss in cornflour before the oil for a crisper result. Eat at once; they soften as they cool.
What should I serve with Kumara Fries?
Burgers; Sour cream and chives; Sweet chilli sauce; Grilled sausages.
Is Kumara Fries suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Kumara Fries?
About 279 kcal per serving, with 3 g protein, 42 g carbohydrate and 11 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Kumara Fries Nutrition Facts
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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