Have you ever played the board game Jenga? You are in for a real treat! Our Japanese Sweet Potato Fries are crunchy on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside. The perfect edible game and after school snack.
Stack up your roasted Japanese sweet potatoes high just like the game Jenga. The winner can take a plunge into the honey ginger soya dipping sauce - the BEST dip for sweet potato fries.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes - we used Japanese Sweet potatoes but you can substitute with a Western sweet potato, yam or even oriental yam as well.
- Sesame seeds - white or black toasted sesame seeds both work well.
- BEST dip for sweet potato fries is a mixture of soy sauce (or tamari sauce for gluten-free), honey and ginger. The sweet and salty soy mixture is addictive just like in our recipe - Isobeyaki Mochi.
Feeding and Fun in one Recipe
Real Case Scenario: Kids just got home from school and are driving you crazy. Everyone is hungry. You have a conference call in 45 minutes and you are still in sweats. Hey life happens! Prep time for this recipe is only 10 minutes. While the snack is baking you can get on with life.
Learn how to play with your food and everyone is happy. Jenga Japanese Sweet Potato Fries is a fun way to keep the family entertained and happily fed.
Jenga Game
Have you ever played the board game called Jenga? Jenga is traditionally played with the wooden blocks and each player takes off a block from in between and then puts it back on top.
However, in our case we just ate them instead. A very edible game and fun after school snack. With the actual Jenga board game, you have the chore of putting the wooden block together perfectly so it fits back into the box. With Japanese Sweet Potato fries, you just eat your mess. How perfect is that!
Healthier alternative to Candied Sweet Potatoes (Daigaku Imo, 大学芋)
One delicious Japanese treat that I love is Candied Sweet Potatoes (Daigaku Imo, 大学芋) However this dish is fried and is not so healthy. I wanted to create a low-fat, gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free baked dish with reduced sweetness. We lightened this recipe up and made the ginger honey soya dip optional too.
Recipe Substitutions
Our favorite season is autumn and along with that comes all the delicious cozy fall favorites that we love so much. Purple sweet potatoes here in Asia have bright purple skins and the light yellow interior. If you love sweet potatoes as much as we do , be sure to try our Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Curry, Creamy Thai Sweet Potato Chicken Soup and Pull Apart Chicken Tandoori Sweet Potato Skins.
I scrubbed my sweet potatoes well and just leave the skins on as they add a delicious crunch and extra vitamins and minerals too. If you don't have access to an Asian market near you, you can use the Western orange sweet potatoes and they are just as delicious for this Japanese sweet potato recipe.
Let's Have Fun!
Can you spot the non-conformist in the picture below?
Japanese Culture
When living in Japan, I used to marvel on how organized and methodical all things are. Trains are punctual to the second. Getting on and off public transport is like a ballet.
Everyone gracefully stands to the side and lets the exiting passengers off first and then everyone enters quietly, organized and respectively. There is purpose and meaning to all movements. It is calming and comforting.
People dress the same and uniformity and conformity are the norm. It is just precious to see all the little younger children with their matching hats, book bags and even umbrellas. Even as adults it is a comforting thing to be part of a group with certain attire guidelines.
Plating is Essential
Attention to detail is paramount in Japanese Culture. Have you ever noticed in Japanese cooking, the little vegetables cut into flowers, the placement of little dishes set in front of you? Maybe you have admired the time mothers spend on creating the perfect cute little bento box for their children? Well maybe not everyone notices these little things, but I sure do.
Our eyes are the gateway to our stomachs. It must first look pleasing to the eye and then your lips and taste buds will follow.
Japanese Sweet Potato fries is just the kind of healthy snack you have been looking for. If you are looking for more HOT Japanese savory snacks you might also like our crab sushi bake or our Isobeyaki Mochi
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees or 230 degrees Celsius. Slice Japanese sweet potato into wedges, toss in oil and salt and bake for 25 minutes or until crispy edges and soft interior.
They can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C. and bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until hot. You can also preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C and air fry for 3- 5 minutes or until toasty hot.
Japanese Appetizer Recipes
Did You Like Our Recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. Your feedback is always appreciated! Follow us for more delicious recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.
Jenga Japanese Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 3 cups japanese sweet potatoes
10 (Asian sweet potatoes) or about 3 cups sliced into wedges - 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon sugar or sugar alternative or brown sugar, coconut sugar, sugar alternative (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
toasted
Honey Ginger Sauce
- 2 tablespoon honey
or maple syrup for vegan - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
or tamari for gluten free - ¼ teaspoon ginger dried ground
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees or 230 degrees Celsius
- Wash and cut up sweet potatoes in lengthwise strips. You can remove the peel or leave it on as I have done ((FYI: immediately submerge fries into a dish of cold water with a little salt, to prevent the oxidation process)
- Dry off Japanese sweet potatoes thoroughly. In a bowl (or directly on your baking sheet) add sweet potatoes, olive oil, cinnamon, salt, brown sugar (coconut sugar or sugar substitute) and sesame seeds if desired. Mix well and place on baking sheet. Brown sugar is optional.
- Place Japanese Sweet potatoes on baking sheet and place in oven to bake for about 20-25 or until tender and golden brown.
- Optional - make the honey ginger soya sauce. In a small sauce pan add the honey, tamari/soy sauce and ginger to pan and cook until thick and bubbly. Set aside.
- Stack up your sweet potato fries and get ready for a hot game of Jenga. (If desired, you can serve plain or maybe try some honey ginger soya sauce.)
Molly ~ EasycookingwithMolly says
Such beautiful pictures Bam and the Japanese sweet potato fries looks so delicious - I wish they could magically appear in my hands some how 😉 We love Jenga at our home too.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Molly. If you lived a little closer, I would send a plate with a little dipping sauce right on over. Enjoy your weekend!
ChgoJohn says
Even better the second time around, BAM. Buongiorno!
Katherines Corner says
oh my friend this is fantastic, I love that you call them jenga fries, you make me smile xo
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
This is wonderful!! This is such a wonderful idea Bobbi because I am all for playing with food!! Plus edible Jenga? Yes please! The fries look delicious too! I felt a wonderful sense of calmness when you spoke about Japan. There is something comforting in feeling that sense of belonging 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this with us at #SaucySaturdays!
shashi at runninsrilankan says
Bobbi - I am so loving this idea of yours - fantastic my friend! Your boys must have LOVED playing Jenga and then eating their Jenga fries! Your version is so so much more fun than the traditional one - And your fries are so gorgeous - love the color of these potatoes
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
Love that you let the kids play with their food. We had an abundance of sweet potatoes a while back, and the fries went down very well 🙂
The Foodie Affairsa says
You get creative mom award for sure coming up with jenga Japanese sweet potato fries! I bet the boys loved playing with their food and didn't miss the toys! The honey ginger sauce sounds wonderful. Such simple ingredients too!
thecompletebook says
I remember your sweet potatoes. I think I will make them for my brother and his family while they are here visiting. The kids will love the jenga stack.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hiya Mandy , have a great visit with your brother and family. I know they will love your cooking. If you have younger kids visiting, they will love this interactive eating game.
hotlyspiced says
You have wonderful memories of being in Japan. I do hope you get to go back on year during autumn. These sweet potatoes look really good, Bam and I love how while in Japan, these were 'toys' xx
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I can't think of a better way to play with your food. 🙂 What wonderful memories. You were brave to move with two little boys and no toys!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I feel almost guilty doing it as our moms always told us not to play with our food, but why not... that was just silly rule anyways. Moving with 2 boys internationally was a challenge but after you do a move once it gets easier the next time. Take care
Liz says
I think the US could take a few lessons from the Japanese! I used to love playing Jenga--I need to see if we still have the game in the basement. If not, it's a good excuse to make your yummy sweet potato fries!
Priya Shiva says
wow! Love your post! I would love to bring some discipline in my family including me 🙂 I love honey ginger combo and will definitely try this out!
nancyc says
These fries sound great and so does the honey-ginger dipping sauce! Thanks for sharing a little about your life in Japan, too!
allthatsjas says
You are one special mom! My mom never let us play with food, lol. I hope you visit Japan soon, there's so much melancholy in your story. The fries look yummy! Pinned
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Jas... I know playing with our food was taboo when I was growing up too so that made it even more fun to do with my kids. Japan is a great destination for a holiday and there are so places to choose from and depending on the time of the year there is everything from sakura -(cherry blossom) viewing to skiing in Hakaido to enjoying pickles in Kyoto...
kushigalu says
Love these sweet potato fries. Looks so yummy!