Why you should LOVE these fries:

• These fries are baked, and not fried so they are MUCH healthier.
• They have such a rich flavor, so you don’t even need a sauce if you don’t want to.
• Even days after they’re baked, and have just been sitting in the fridge, you can always just throw them in the oven for a bit and they’ll taste just as good as before!!! Maybe even crispier…
• Because in this specific recipe, I don’t use flour on the fries, it is gluten free!

   Tips & Notes:

• Variety: In this recipe, I used a mixture of traditional yams (the orange ones) but also Japanese yams (It’s crazy, they taste the same, but look like a normal potato!). You could totally just use one or the other, but that’s why there are two different types, if you were wondering.
• Have fun: The great thing about cooking is that you can be spontaneous!! Throw in some spices, and herbs that you normally wouldn’t dare to. That’s what I did, and I must say, it turned out beautifully. Cooking is different from baking in that way, because baking is very precise, but cooking is like dancing! Something here, something there, and oh! A bit more over there. It’s FUN!
• Size and crispiness: Depending on how you like your fries, you can cut them thinner, or on the thicker side. Looking at my photo’s now, I can see mine are a bit thick…but trust me it’s pretty hard to cut them thin without completely butchering your fingers. Depending on that, it will determine how long your fries take, and how crispy they will get. Just keep that in mind. (The thinner ones will become crisper, faster).
• Optional: After all the times I have tested this recipe out in so many different ways, I can say that they do work if you want to sprinkle some flour on the top before you put the oil on, but I personally like them better without. I find that they taste just as good without, so why add something when it isn’t needed? Not to say that they aren’t as good. They might even be a bit crispier, but it’s totally up to you.

   Ingredients:

For the fries:

• 3 large yams (or 6 small yams)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• a couple pinches of salt
• a few grinds of pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 2 good sized garlic cloves 

For the spicy aioli sauce:

• 4 tablespoons mayo (or miracle whip)
• 3 teaspoon cayenne pepper sauce (or just any kind of hot sauce)
• 1 tablespoon Heinz chilli sauce/ketchup
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon BBQ sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon tabasco sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce

   Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and cover a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Peel your yams
3. Cut the yams into slices (try to make in the shape of a fry) and adjust them to the size that you fancy.
4. Put all the slices on the baking sheet and add the olive oil, salt, pepper, chilli flakes, and garlic chunks. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and move everything around until it’s a big oily mess. They do turn out better if they’re all in rows, not touching each other, but it’s not required. (This would also be the time to add the flour, if desired).
5. Put the fries into the oven for 25 minutes.
6. Take the fries out and mix them around with a spatula so that they can rotate positions a bit. If you want to be a bit more specific about it, you can use your hands to individually flip each one so they all get their fair turn on the heat. (They do turn out better this way, but it just takes a bit longer).
7. Put them back in the oven for another 20 minutes. If they still aren’t quite crispy enough, just keep cooking them until they are. Simple, right?!
8. To make the sauce, just add all the condiments together! Make sure to taste it, and adjust things to your liking.
9. Now, go and indulge yourself with some great oven baked Yam Fries!