Here’s my go-to sweet potato fries dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with crispy homemade fries. It’s a creamy, slightly tangy blend with just the right amount of seasonings that’ll make you forget all about regular ketchup.
My kids ask for this sauce every time we make sweet potato fries, and I always make extra because it disappears so quickly. It’s become our Friday night favorite – and between you and me, it’s also great with regular french fries too!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Fries Sauce
- Quick preparation – This sauce comes together in just 5 minutes – simply mix the ingredients in a bowl and you’re done!
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare this sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or party planning.
- Customizable heat level – Easily adjust the amount of chipotle and chili powder to make it as mild or spicy as you like – it’s totally up to you.
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – Most of these ingredients are common spices you probably already have in your kitchen, so you won’t need to make a special shopping trip.
What Kind of Sweet Potatoes Should I Use?
Sweet potatoes come in several varieties, and while any type will work for making fries, some give you better results than others. The orange-fleshed Jewel or Beauregard sweet potatoes are great choices since they have a nice balance of sweetness and hold their shape well when cooked. Japanese sweet potatoes, which have purple skin and white flesh, are another excellent option – they tend to get extra crispy and have a slightly less sweet, more nutty flavor. When shopping, look for firm sweet potatoes without any soft spots or blemishes, and try to pick ones that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly. Just avoid any that feel soft or show signs of sprouting, as these are past their prime.
Options for Substitutions
This recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps while still getting great results:
- Mayo: If you’re not a fan of mayo or want a lighter option, try Greek yogurt or sour cream instead. For a vegan version, use vegan mayo or cashew cream – just note that the texture might be slightly different.
- Lime juice: No fresh limes? You can use lemon juice instead, or even a splash of white wine vinegar will work to add that tangy kick.
- Chipotle powder: If you can’t find chipotle powder, use regular cayenne pepper (start with half the amount as it’s spicier) or add a chopped canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
- Smoked paprika: Regular paprika works fine if you don’t have the smoked variety – you’ll just miss a bit of that smoky flavor. You could add a tiny drop of liquid smoke to make up for it.
- Cooking oil: Any neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or avocado oil works well here. Even olive oil is fine, though it might add a slight flavor.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making chipotle mayo dipping sauce is getting the right balance of spices – adding all the seasonings at once can lead to an overwhelming or unbalanced flavor profile, so it’s better to add them gradually and taste as you go. The sauce can become too thin if you add too much lime juice at once, so start with half the amount and adjust to your taste – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away. For the best flavor development, let the sauce rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the spices to properly blend and meld together. A common mistake is serving the sauce straight from mixing, but giving it time to chill not only improves the flavor but also helps achieve that perfect dipping consistency that clings nicely to your sweet potato fries.
What to Serve With Sweet Potato Fries Dipping Sauce?
While this spicy, smoky sauce is perfect for sweet potato fries, it’s super versatile and works great with lots of other foods too! Try it with regular french fries, onion rings, or even as a spread on burgers and sandwiches. For a fun appetizer spread, serve it alongside some crispy chicken tenders, roasted vegetables, or as part of a DIY burger bar. I also love using it as a dip for raw veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers when I’m looking for a healthier snacking option.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This tasty dipping sauce stays good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two as they have time to mingle together. Just give it a quick stir before serving if you notice any separation.
Make Ahead: You can whip up this sauce a few days before you need it – it’s perfect for meal prep! Mix all the ingredients together, pop it in the fridge, and you’ll have a ready-to-go dip whenever those sweet potato fry cravings hit.
Serve: Take the sauce out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to let it come closer to room temperature. This helps the flavors come through better and makes it easier to dip. If it seems a bit thick, just stir in a tiny splash of lime juice or water to thin it out.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 35-45 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2000-2200
- Protein: 20-25 g
- Fat: 180-200 g
- Carbohydrates: 200-220 g
Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes or yams
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- 1 1/4 cups mayo
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Step 1: Prepare the Chipotle Lime Dip
At least an hour before serving, prepare the chipotle lime dip to allow the flavors to blend well.
In a small bowl, mix all the dip ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate it so the spices have time to meld together, enhancing the flavor of your dip.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the oven is heating, take your sweet potatoes and cut them into long sticks, resembling fries.
Once cut, place the sweet potato sticks in a large Ziploc bag.
Add just enough vegetable oil to give the potatoes a light coating, seal the bag, and then toss the contents to ensure the oil is evenly distributed over the potatoes.
Step 3: Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Once the sweet potatoes are evenly coated with oil, layer them in a single, even layer on a cookie sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, ensuring to turn them often to promote even browning.
The sweet potatoes should be lightly browned and crispy.
Once baked, remove them from the oven and sprinkle with Kosher salt to taste.
Step 4: Serve with Chipotle Lime Dip
Transfer the baked sweet potato fries to a serving platter and accompany them with the prepared chipotle lime dip.
Serve immediately for the best taste experience, allowing the crispy fries to complement the flavorful dip.