Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Fries are primarily made from sweet potatoes, blended with various starches, oils, and leavening agents to achieve their distinctive crispy texture and flavor.
The full list of ingredients includes:
- Sweet potato
- Soybean oil
- Potato starch
- Rice flour
- Cornstarch
- Potato dextrin
- Salt
- Sodium acid pyrophosphate (leavening)
- Sodium bicarbonate (leavening)
- Paprika oleoresin (for color)
- Xanthan gum
Detailed Breakdown of Ingredients
Understanding the components can provide insight into the product's characteristics. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients and their roles:
Category | Ingredient | Primary Function |
---|---|---|
Main Vegetable | Sweet potato | The primary ingredient, providing the core flavor and texture. |
Fats | Soybean oil | Used for frying, contributing to crispiness and flavor. |
Starches & Thickeners | Potato starch, Rice flour, Cornstarch, Potato dextrin, Xanthan gum | These ingredients create the crispy coating and bind the components, enhancing the texture of the fries. Xanthan gum acts as a thickener and stabilizer. |
Leavening Agents | Sodium acid pyrophosphate, Sodium bicarbonate | Work together to create a light, airy texture when cooked, contributing to the crispiness. These are common components of baking powder. |
Seasoning & Color | Salt, Paprika oleoresin | Salt enhances flavor. Paprika oleoresin is derived from paprika and is used to give the fries an appealing natural orange color. |
These ingredients combine to create a ready-to-cook sweet potato fry product that is both flavorful and achieves a satisfying crunch when prepared.