crispy baked sweet potato chips

If you've ever attempted to make potato chips, you know that some recipes lie when they say "crispy", especially if they are oven-baked.

I've made potato chips every way possible. Frying requires so much oil. I'm usually so revolted as I'm watching the chips absorb the cups and cups of oil that my appetite immediately dissipates. Although frying them does seem to work well, I've been searching for the best way to bake my chips to crispytown.

White potatoes contain a lot of starch, requiring some kind of soaking technique. Eff that. Too much work. Sweet potatoes contain significantly less starch so, to me, the soaking thing isn't really necessary. This is why I like making sweet potato chips. And, they are also more nutritionally healthy, which is an added bonus (a.k.a. feel less guilty for eating a whole bowl).

There are just some things you shouldn't don't need a recipe to make. Sweet potato chips falls under this category (and these, too). But I'll tell you everything you need to know to make this crunchtastic snack.

First of all.. Yes, these are homemade. Secondly, they are also baked. And lastly (and most importantly), they are really crispy!

How to make Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Chips:

1. Slice sweet potatoes with a mandoline fitted with a thin slice blade. If you don't have a mandoline, get one. I firmly don't believe it's humanly possible to slice potatoes as evenly and thinly by hand. A mandoline will be your best friend-- as long as you remember to use the hand guard so you don't slice your fingers off. Seriously, this guy is helpful but can be harmful. It's better to waste the little bit of potato at the end of the guard than to have blood gushing everywhere.
2. Once your sweet potatoes are all sliced, put them into a large bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. You want them coated but not drenched. There is a difference. It helps to start off modest and add more if necessary. Make sure the potatoes look coated but not too glossy. There shouldn't be excess oil at the bottom of the bowl. This is the time to season, as well. You can do the traditional salt and pepper. I like to do Kosher salt and cinnamon. So good. Again toss everything together well. You can also add more seasoning after they are baked, if necessary.
3. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread sweet potato slices out into an even single layer.
4. Bake in a preheated 200 degree F oven for 45 minutes. Flip sweet potatoes over. Then bake for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour until sweet potatoes look super toasted.
5. Allow to cool on the baking sheet before serving. They will crisp as they cool.
6. Serve, eat, and enjoy this healthy chip alternative!