🍠 Oven-baked squash fries (20 min): crispy & light – Neary
Quick answer: To make delicious and crispy oven-baked squash fries, cut your squash (butternut or pumpkin) into sticks, coat them with a little olive oil and spices, and bake in a hot oven. Flip them halfway through for perfect browning. Ready in 20 minutes! 🔥
How to make easy and crispy oven-baked squash fries?
Do you dream of light yet incredibly delicious fries? Oven-baked squash fries are THE solution to delight your family or friends, while staying healthy 🥗. Here's the simple method to make them perfectly every time:
- Choose your squash: butternut (mild taste, firm flesh) or potimarron (nutty flavor, melting texture). Other varieties work too!
- Wash, peel (or not) and cut the squash into large, even fries. Keep the skin on the pumpkin if you want more fiber 😉.
- Dry the sticks thoroughly with a clean cloth for a nice golden texture.
- Season : In a bowl, toss the fries with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil, paprika, cumin, a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Vary the seasoning to your liking!
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, without overlapping (that's the secret to preventing them from getting soggy! 👨🍳).
- Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (fan-assisted) for approximately 20 minutes. Turn over halfway through baking for a crispy effect on all sides 🔄.
- Serve immediately with a lemon-yogurt sauce, light mayonnaise, or plain. It's also delicious in a veggie bowl or with grilled meat!
Tip: for an even faster version, you can try the Air Fryer : express cooking, super crispy result and zero frying!
My tips for perfectly golden baked squash fries 🔥
- Regular cut: for even cooking, try to have fries of a similar size.
- Avoid using too much oil : too much oil = soggy fries. 1 to 2 tablespoons is plenty.
- High heat : the very hot oven sears the squash and browns it. If necessary, finish under the broiler for 2 minutes.
- Don't overload the baking sheet : if you pile it up, it will get soggy. Spread it out well, even if you have to bake it in two batches.
- Add a pinch of starch (corn, potato) for an extra crispy crust.
Which squashes should you choose for delicious oven fries? 🎃
What should you serve your squash fries with? 🥙
- Light sauces : Greek yogurt, lemon, parsley, old-fashioned mustard.
- Gourmet version : grated cheese, Mexican spices, a touch of parmesan at the end of cooking.
- In a veggie bowl : quinoa, chickpeas, avocado, pomegranate, fresh herbs 🌿.
- Side dishes include : roast chicken, grilled fish, veggie steak… anything goes!
Looking for inspiration? Discover this recipe for oven-baked butternut fries to mix things up!
Can squash fries be prepared in advance? ⏳
Absolutely! Cut the squash into fries the day before and store them in a sealed bag in the refrigerator. Coat them with oil and spices just before baking to keep them nice and crispy.
Can you freeze squash fries? ❄️
Yes, but they're better fresh! If needed, blanch the fries for 3 minutes, dry them well, then freeze them flat. You'll just have to put them in the oven while still frozen (allow a few extra minutes).
How can I prevent them from getting soggy? 😬
- Dry the squash thoroughly after cutting.
- Do not use too much oil.
- Oven nice and hot and baking tray not overloaded.
- Turn it over halfway through cooking and serve straight from the oven!
Is the skin edible? 🤔
Yes, for potimarron squash (organic is best), it becomes very tender when cooked. For butternut squash, you can peel it if you prefer a very soft texture.
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