Spicy sweet potato chips: a recipe that you will love

With this recipe from chips spicy sweet potato we have a substitute for french fries to eat multiple times. They are a good option for a snack, aperitif or an ideal accompaniment to the classic hamburger.

Sweet potato is an autumn tuber that is almost always eaten roasted to enjoy its sweetness and creamy texture. But as this recipe shows, there are more ways to prepare it and introduce it into the usual diet.

The spicy sweet potato chips are original and striking in color. They can easily substitute for French fries. They are cooked in the oven or in the pan and the final dressing opens up an infinite world of possibilities to suit everyone.

The properties of sweet potato

Sweet potato (Ipomea batata) is a plant cultivated for its edible root. It is originally from Latin America, where it was already consumed in pre-Columbian times. From there it went to Europe and today it is known in many countries around the world.

Roasted, pureed, fried, toasted like bread or for cooking brownies. A glance at social networks is enough to see how the use of sweet potatoes in the kitchen has been innovated. But in addition, it is a healthy food with remarkable benefits.

Much of its nutritional composition is water. Then the complex carbohydrates (among which starch stands out) and fiber stand out. The contribution of fats and proteins is small, although they have methionine, an essential amino acid that is scarce in plant foods.

Its orange color reveals the presence of beta-carotenes that act as precursors of vitamin A. In addition, they contain other vitamins (such as C and some of group B) and minerals such as copper, iron, potassium and manganese.

Antioxidant effect

Free radicals are related to the appearance of some health problems such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. The more vivid the color of the sweet potato (orange, red or purple), more beta-carotene and other antioxidant pigments it contains.

Long-lasting power source

For its main contribution of slowly absorbed carbohydrates is a medium-term energy source. As such, it is suitable for growing children, students, athletes or the convalescent.

Vitamin A precursor

Vitamin A has as its main active form retinol, which is found only in foods of animal origin. But some vegetables provide carotenes that the body transforms into retinol with the same activity and efficiency.

This is important for the development of normal vision and to avoid night blindness. In addition, it is necessary to maintain healthy tissues and skin.

Better gut health

On the one hand, collaborates in the regulation of intestinal transit through fiber. Likewise, that which is not digested reaches the colon intact, to be degraded by intestinal bacteria. As a result, short chain fatty acids appear.

In addition, fiber intake has also been associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer.

Read more: Soluble fiber and insoluble fiber: how do they differ?

Type 2 diabetes

Some studies link sweet potato intake with better regulation of blood glucose in type 2 diabetics. However, at the moment there is not enough evidence to use them as a dietary treatment and improvement of the control of the disease.

Spicy Sweet Potato Chips Recipe

Knowing its benefits, let's move on to the first, more classic recipe. Let's see its ingredients and step by step.

Ingredients needed

• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
• 1/4 of teaspoon of cayenne powder.
• 2 tablespoons of agave syrup.
• 3 large sweet potatoes.
• Salt and pepper.

Step by step to develop the chips sweet potato

1. Before you start, turn on the oven and heat it to 230 degrees Celsius. Then prepare a tray and cover with greaseproof paper.
2. Then wash, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into half-inch slices. Place on top of the tray.
3. Combine the oil, agave syrup and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Spread the sweet potato slices with the dressing and season to taste.
4. Roast the sweet potatoes 8 minutes. After this time, turn over and brush with the rest of the oil and syrup mixture. Return to the oven for another 7 or 8 minutes, until they are at the ideal cooking point: tender in the center and crispy on the outside.
5. At this point they are ready to serve.

Another way to cook spicy sweet potato chips

We go with the second option of this recipe that adds some more ingredients. Let's see.

Ingredients to make them in the pan

• 500 grams of sweet potato.
• 2 dessert spoons of oregano.
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• 1/2 tablespoon of spicy paprika.
• 1 tablespoon of paprika de la Vera coffee.
• Salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper and 1/2 of powdered ginger.
• Olive oil.

How to prepare them

1. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into very thin slices. For this it is advisable to use a mandolin, in order to obtain a perfect cut.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan or in the deep fryer. When it is hot, fry the chips sweet potato.
3. In the meantime, Preparing the Spice Mix for Seasoning. Unite them all in a mortar and chop.
4. When the sweet potato is at the desired crisp point, remove from the heat. Let drain to remove excess oil and season to taste with spices.
5. Before consuming, let it cool.

More recipes: How to make chips eggplant and other vegetables

Final considerations for preparing spicy sweet potato chips

Any of the 2 ways to prepare these chips spicy sweet potatoes are simple and quick to make. Just cutting, cooking and seasoning is enough. Few ingredients and few utensils.

When choosing them you have to opt for those with skin without bumps or bruises and they are firm to the touch. They keep well in a cool, dark environment and do not need to be refrigerated.

To get well-prepared fried sweet potatoes, it is preferable to use virgin olive oil, since it withstands high temperatures better. It is necessary to ensure that it does not smoke or burn and it is not recommended to reuse it.

Using a mandolin to get a good cut is very useful. Although it is more comfortable and safe, if you do not have one, just a well-sharpened knife and a little more patience.

The chips of sweet potato are a snack different to eat alone or dipped in some sauces (hummus, babaganoush or dip yogurt). They can also be served as an accompaniment to a serving of meat or fish. Even to give a crisp touch to a salad.

The sweet potato is a food of easy digestion and a pleasant taste. Most people tolerate it well and it can be introduced into the diet without problem. It is only necessary to monitor in case of kidney stones or ease to form them, due to its high content of oxalates.