Crisp sweet potato chips with thyme and garlic

Real sweet potato, real herbs, crisped in the oven, with nothing on the label but what you put there yourself. It takes a little watching at the end, and the result is worth the attention.

Sweet potatoes are a source of beta-carotene, which the body converts toward vitamin A, supporting the mucosal and immune lining. The fiber feeds a healthier gut community, and the thyme and garlic bring savory depth on their own.

Lay the chips out with a little care when they come off the sheet. Let them be beautiful, golden at the edges, smelling of thyme. Take a breath before you eat. Even a snack is a chance to slow down and be with the food.

Ingredients

• 2 sweet potatoes, sliced thin (a mandoline gives the most even chips)
• 1.5 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Sea salt to taste
• Black pepper omitted for strict elimination AIP (it is a seed spice set aside in this phase)

Method

Heat the oven to 400 F. In a bowl, toss the sweet potato slices with the melted coconut oil, thyme, and garlic until every slice is lightly coated.

Spread the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, with no overlap, so they crisp rather than steam. Bake for ten to fifteen minutes, until the edges begin to brown.

Flip the chips and return them to the oven for another five to fifteen minutes. This is the step that decides the dish: check every five minutes, because the line between golden and burnt is short. Pull them as they brown, since the edges crisp faster than the centers. Salt to taste and let them cool a few minutes to firm up.

Air fryer variation

The air fryer crisps these faster with less oil. Toss the slices as above, then arrange them in a single layer in the basket, working in batches so they do not crowd. Air fry at about 350 to 360 F for eight to twelve minutes, shaking the basket and checking every few minutes, since thin slices go from crisp to scorched quickly. These times are a starting point and untested for this recipe; confirm in your own machine and trust your eyes over the timer.

*Adapted from a-clean-plate*