5 Vegetable Fries That Don’t Make Me Feel Like I’m Eating Cardboard (2024)

• Recipes
• Side Dishes
• Vegetables

updated Jun 14, 2023

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I have nothing against regular french fries, or even sweet potato fries — you’ll definitely never catch me saying no to either one of them. But fries don’t have to be synonymous with potatoes. In fact, you can easily turn just about any vegetable into fries that are crunchy and delicious. In this list, we’ve got eggplant, Jicama, carrots, beets and parsnip recipes that make snacking even healthier.

Get Sweet on Veggie Fries

You can make fries out of almost any kind of vegetable — no recipe required. You just need to get a few basics down, and then you can turn all your favorite veggies into a big pile of fries.

One of the most important when making homemade fries is how you cut the vegetables. Consistency is key; they don’t need to be cut into perfect spears, but they should all be about the same size. This ensures that the fries cook evenly. Otherwise, small-cut fries will end up overcooked or burnt, while the larger-cut ones won’t cook through all the way. I like using 1/2-inch-thick spears (the length will vary depending on the vegetable) — it gives a good texture, and doesn’t require a super-long cook time.

And as for cooking, we’re making these in the oven.

Your Template for Baked Veggie Fries

In addition to your vegetable of choice, you’ll want to have two other basics handy: olive oil and salt.

1/2-inch vegetable sticks + olive oil + salt

Basic veggie fries are nothing more than cut vegetable spears or wedges tossed with a light coating of oil and salt, and then baked at a high temperature. The fries will be soft on the inside with a crispy, crunchy exterior.

Add another ingredient or two to the mix — anything from herbs and cheese to flavored oils and breading for a final flourish. Then, of course, there’s no shortage of dipping options.

Beet Fries

Serves 2

These beet fries are packed with a ton of sweet, earthy flavor. Give your fries a salty boost with fresh-grated Parmesan as soon as they come out of the oven.

Parsnip Fries

Serves 2

With their firm texture and length, parsnips make a great candidate for fries. Give their sweet, earthy flavor an herbaceous lift with chopped fresh rosemary.

Sweet and Spicy Carrot Fries

Serves 2

Give your sweet carrot fries a savory touch with a spoonful of spiced harissa.

Smoky Jicama Fries

Serves 2

At first sight, these might look like ordinary french fries, but I assure you they’re far from it. Jicama fries cook up firm with a crisp bite, and their mild flavor benefits from some smoked paprika.

Crispy Eggplant Fries

Serves 2

This medium-soft vegetable benefits from a breaded coating, which helps the fries keep their shape. (And of course, there’s the crunch factor.)

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