Instructions

1. Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly with a vegetable brush under running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the sweet potatoes if you prefer the fries to be skinless. You can choose instead to keep the skin on. Either way, prick the sweet potatoes with a fork in several places to allow for steam to escape.

2. Place the sweet potatoes on a large, microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave the sweet potatoes for roughly 5 to 8 minutes, until they are slightly tender. They should still be firm enough to not fall apart when you handle them.

3. Spray the grill pan or indoor grill with cooking spray or brush with canola oil while the sweet potatoes are in the microwave. Place the grill pan over medium-high heat, or turn the indoor grill's setting to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Remove the sweet potatoes from the microwave and slice each one lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Stack two of these sweet potato slices, and then cut the stack lengthwise into 1/4- to 1/2-inch strips, depending on how thick or thin you want the fries to be. Continue stacking and cutting the rest of the slices.

5. Place the sweet potato fries on the grill or grill pan and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side, using a spatula to carefully flip them. The sweet potatoes should be crisp on the outside, with defined grill marks, and tender on the inside when they're ready. Serve hot.