Sweet Potato Smiley Fries {Gluten-free}
These sweet potato smiley fries are a healthier alternative to a classic! They’re made with white sweet potato and grain-free flours.
Have you ever had smiley fries?! They’re not really “fries” but more so mashed potato combined with flour, formed into a smiley face, and deep-fried. They have the texture of a french fry, and they’re so much fun to eat as a kid. The original version is made with white potato and a binder like cornstarch or bread crumbs.
If you deal with food intolerances like me to things like nightshades (check out my nightshade food list for more info), gluten, grains, or follow an AIP diet structure (check out my AIP diet food list), these were totally off the table… but not anymore!
These smiley fries are perfect for the young and young at heart who have food intolerances! They’re made with sweet potato instead of white potato and are gluten-free and grain-free.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It could not be cuter or more kid-friendly! If you’re struggling to get your kids to eat their vegetables, look no further. I love making hidden veggie recipes like my sweet potato chicken poppers, and these smiley fries are another great way to get your kids to eat sweet potato.
- They’re nightshade-free, grain-free, and gluten-free. No white potato, no corn starch, and no bread crumbs.
- They’re fun to make. Kids will love making these cute little fries, and I even have fun making them as an adult.
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Japanese sweet potato. I highly recommend sticking with Japanese sweet potato if possible as it’s starchier and less sweet. You can likely use other varieties of sweet potato though it will most likely change the flavor and color.
- Arrowroot Starch.
- Coconut Flour.
- Avocado Oil.
- Salt.
The tools for making the fries
- Small cookie cutter. This is optional, but if you want uniform circles, you can use a small circular cookie cutter to cut the fries.
- A small spoon. For the smile!
- Straw or another small circular tool. For the eyes!
How to make Sweet Potato Smiley Fries
Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this recipe. Find full instructions in the recipe card.
Step one. Combine the sweet potato, arrowroot starch, coconut flour, avocado oil, and salt.
Step two. Stir to combine until fully incorporated.
Step three. Take a small piece of dough and roll it into a small ball. Press into a flattened circle on the baking sheet. To make the smiley face, use a tool like a straw to form two shallow eyes, and a spoon to make a smile. Repeat with all of the sweet potato mixtures.
Step four. Spray the top of the fries with avocado or coconut oil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from the oven, carefully flipping the fries face down. Bake for another 5-8 minutes or until baked through.
Tips & Tricks
- Use Japanese Sweet Potato. Though other sweet potato varieties will work, Japanese sweet potato is more starchy and less sweet, similar to white potato.
- Allow the fries to cool before enjoying. Straight out of the oven, these fries can get gummy so you want to allow them to cool for a better texture.
What can you serve these smiley fries with?
- A dip of your choice like ketchup, mustard, etc!
- A main dish like a bun-less burger bowl.
- A main dish like a grilled protein and a side salad.
Recipe FAQs
Arrowroot starch is a perfect corn-free substitute for cornstarch!
Yes, you can easily bake them instead! This recipe is for baked smiley fries.
More Sweet Potato Recipes To Check Out…
If you tried these Sweet Potato Smiley Fries or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Sweet Potato Smiley Fries {Gluten-free}
Ingredients
- 16 oz Japanese sweet potato, cooked and mashed
- ⅓ cup arrowroot starch
- 2 tsp coconut flour
- 2 tbsp avocado oil, plus extra for topping
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with lightly greased parchment paper.
- Combine the sweet potato, arrowroot starch, coconut flour, avocado oil, and salt. Stir to combine until fully incorporated. I recommend using your hands to mix the sweet potato to really work in the flour. The mixture should be easy to roll and handle.
- Take a small piece of dough and roll it into a small ball. Press into a flattened circle on the baking sheet. To make the smiley face, use a tool like a straw (I used a metal straw) to form two shallow eyes, and a spoon to make a smile. Repeat with all of the sweet potato mixtures. You should have about 20-23 fries.
- Spray the top of the fries with avocado or coconut oil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from the oven, carefully flipping the fries face down. Bake for another 5-8 minutes or until baked through.
- Remove from the oven and allow the fries to cool before enjoying with a dip of your choice.
I cannot find white sweet Potato where I live, in Kansas. How can I find them?
Hi Dottie! They should be available at your local grocery store or farmer’s market! I’d recommend checking whole foods, as well 🙂
Have you ever tried with a different flour. My son can not have coconut.
The coconut flour helps them bind, so you’d need another flour. I haven’t tried any other flours so I can’t guarantee it would work quite the same!
Can the sweet potato Smiley fries be made in an air fryer?
I haven’t tried but you should be able to, yes!