Greetings, y’all. It’s a windy, breezy day here and it’s only a crisp 79 degrees.. much more enjoyable than a belligerent heat wave.

I enjoyed a busy weekend filled with wedding activities, horses, sushi and cooking.  The wedding on Friday was absolutely beautiful – a hike up to Folino Estates Winery just outside of Allentown. I’d never been before, but I’d go again. I’ll go to great lengths to get some good wine…. Yes, I will.

Having said that, I’ll also go to great lengths to get some good pizza. The problem with pizza isn’t so much the dairy, or the acidity of the sauce, or possibly not even the gluten. That combo… gosh, it hurts me so. I just cannot live without it.

So…. I get a little creative. I had some sweet potatoes waiting to be eaten, and since I don’t often eat a carb-filled meal, they were sort of just sitting there, looking lonely. I cut them up into fries, marinated them in some Italian spices, and the rest is history.

Note! If you are not strict paleo, you can use real cheese. In fact, I encourage it! And for all my lactose-intolerant friends… I got you. Don’t worry.

Pizza Fries (Paleo, and sometimes vegan!)

Prep time: 15 min

Cook time: 50 min

Ingredients

For the fries

• 3 large/long sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into preferred French fry size; the thinner the better (no big ass wedges!)
• 1-2 tbsp preferred cooking oil – I like avocado
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• black pepper, to taste

For the toppings

• ½ cup vegan/paleo cheese sauce, heated for easier drizzling; I used Siete Foods Spicy Queso Blanco
• ½ cup marinara sauce
• 10-12 pepperoni slices, quartered (omit if vegan!)
• chopped basil for garnish, if desired

*note – hand-shredded mozzarella can be used if not strict paleo

Directions

1. Optional to make ahead – add your oil, fry spices and sweet potatoes in a bag or bowl and toss to coat.. this is not necessary, I just imagine it makes it taste better.
2. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
3. On a parchment lined or greased/foil-lined baking sheet, place your fries, evenly spaced (not too close so they can crisp!). Bake for 20 minutes – then flip them and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes. If any are starting to brown too quickly – move them to the center of the pan so they don’t continue to burn.
4. Once thoroughly cooked/crisped to your liking, remove from heat. Turn your oven to broil.
5. On your same baking sheet, carefully arrange the fries into a pile, while still spread for maximum topping coverage. I do not recommend using your hands… just in case anyone needs to be told that.
6. Next, drizzle your marinara sauce, followed by your heated cheese sauce over top. You can go as light or heavy as you want – but with any good pile of crunchy anything, more sauce = less crispy. If using real cheese instead, sprinkle with cheese.
7. Lastly, sprinkle your chopped pepperoni across the fries, if using.
8. Broil 3-5 minutes, until sauces are thoroughly melted and pepperoni is crisp. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Optional: garnish with basil if you feel fancy.

Enjoy!

-S