In this study varieties of red and yellow sweet potatoes grown in the department of Cordoba were characterized. Bromatological characterization consists in measuring the content of moisture, fat, protein, ash, fiber, reducing sugars and total carbohydrates. Red sweet potatoes, for their lower content of reducing sugars, were selected for a study of deep fat frying. To evaluate the texture of fried potato chips the cutting force was measured and texture profile analysis was performed using a TA.XTplus texturometer. The edible coating used was carboxymethylcellulose and the frying temperatures were 150, 170 and 190°C. These temperatures did not have significant effect on the texture variables such as hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, gumminess and chewiness, but they affected cohesiveness of the product. The cutting force of the product was affected only by the use of the coating.