Cody Casey
Air fryer sweet potato fries are a tasty, healthier alternative to deep-fried sweet potatoes. They are cooked in less than 15 minutes and require less oil, resulting in a lower-calorie, lower-fat snack. The air fryer's even circulation of hot air ensures a crispy exterior and tender interior, making it a convenient and quick way to prepare sweet potato fries. With just a few simple ingredients and spices, you can create a delicious treat that pairs well with your favourite dipping sauces.
How to cook air fryer sweet potato fries
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Sweet potatoes, oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika |
| Oil type | Olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any neutral-tasting oil |
| Additional seasonings | Smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, BBQ seasoning, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, cayenne pepper |
| Preparation | Peel and slice sweet potatoes into even 1/4-inch thick fries or wedges. Soaking in water is optional. |
| Cooking method | Preheat air fryer to 350-400°F. Place sweet potatoes in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook in 5-minute intervals, shaking the basket halfway through. |
| Cooking time | 8-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness |
| Serving | Serve immediately with dipping sauces such as ketchup, garlic mayo, or garlic sour cream |
| Storage | Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to six months |
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What You'll Learn
Selecting the right sweet potatoes
First, look for medium-sized sweet potatoes that are not too long. This way, you can use the full length of the potato as the length of your fry. Remember that sweet potatoes shrink after cooking, so choose ones that are slightly longer than your ideal fry length. Longer sweet potatoes are also easier to cut into uniform wedges or fries, ensuring even cooking.
Next, consider the number of sweet potatoes you will need. As a guide, two medium-sized sweet potatoes or approximately one pound of sweet potatoes should be enough for one batch of fries.
When selecting sweet potatoes, look for ones that are similar in size. This is important because it helps ensure even cooking. Try to find sweet potatoes that are not too curved, as this can make cutting uniform wedges more challenging. Look for sweet potatoes with a relatively straight shape, as this will make it easier to cut them into even wedges or fries.
Finally, opt for sweet potatoes with a firm texture and smooth skin. Avoid sweet potatoes with soft spots, bruises, or sprouting ends as they may not cook evenly and could affect the overall quality of your fries.
By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to selecting the right sweet potatoes for your air fryer sweet potato fries. Remember, choosing the right ingredients is the first step to creating delicious and crispy fries!
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Preparing the potatoes
Next, peel the sweet potatoes and cut off the skinny ends. You can save the ends for another recipe. Then, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, so they lie flat on your cutting board. Now, cut them into long slices about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. The thinner you slice them, the crispier they will be. Try to cut the wedges as evenly as possible so that they cook uniformly.
Once you have the potatoes sliced, you can soak them in cold or hot water for 10 to 30 minutes to remove excess starch and achieve a fluffier texture. However, this step is optional. If you choose to soak them, pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel before proceeding.
Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil such as canola or avocado oil. You only need a small amount of oil to help the seasoning stick and promote even browning. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with oil.
Now it's time to season the potatoes. You can keep it simple with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Alternatively, get creative with spices like cayenne pepper, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice. You can also try different blends such as Cajun seasoning or Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. Use your hands to ensure each fry is well-coated with the seasoning.
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Seasoning
Firstly, choose your seasoning blend. A simple and classic option is to use salt and pepper, but you can also experiment with other spices like garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or even cinnamon for a sweet twist. You can also try using a Creole seasoning blend or Cajun seasoning for a spicier kick. If you want to keep it simple, just use salt and pepper, or a basic seasoning salt blend like Lawry's.
Once you've selected your spices, it's time to toss the sweet potato fries in the seasoning. Before adding the spices, drizzle a small amount of oil over the fries. You can use olive oil or a neutral-tasting oil like canola or avocado oil. The oil will help the seasoning stick to the potatoes and promote even browning during cooking. Use your hands to ensure each fry is well-coated with the seasoning mixture.
When applying the seasoning, be generous but not excessive. You want each fry to have a nice coating, but too much seasoning can make them greasy or overpower the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. Remember, you can always add more seasoning after cooking if needed.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and find your perfect blend. Try different combinations of spices and herbs to discover your signature sweet potato fry seasoning. You can also adjust the amount of seasoning based on your personal preference and the size of your batch.
Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure an even coating on all the fries. This will help guarantee a consistent flavour and texture with every bite. Enjoy crafting your perfect air fryer sweet potato fries!
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Cooking method
To make sweet potato fries in an air fryer, start by selecting two medium-sized sweet potatoes that are not too long. Peel the sweet potatoes, cut off the skinny ends, and cut them in half lengthwise. Then, cut the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick slices. Try to cut the slices as evenly as possible so that they cook evenly.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the seasoning for the fries. You can use olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, or any other spices of your choice. Toss the sweet potato slices with the seasoning until they are evenly coated. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch to make them super crispy.
Place the seasoned sweet potato slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Air fry at 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote uniform crispiness. If your fries are cut thicker, they may take longer to cook.
Once the sweet potato fries are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can enjoy them as is or with a dipping sauce, such as ketchup, garlic mayo, or garlic sour cream dip.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer sweet potato fries are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are a great alternative to deep-fried sweet potatoes as they are lighter, healthier, and have fewer calories and less fat.
These crispy fries can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular options include garlic mayo, mayo-ketchup, and garlic sour cream dip. You can also experiment with different spices and seasonings to change up the flavor of the fries. For a smokey flavor, use smoked paprika, or add some cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. If you prefer sweeter fries, sprinkle them with cinnamon or pumpkin spice.
For a quick and easy meal, you can pair these fries with air fryer chicken nuggets or crispy air fryer bacon. They also go well with chicken for a more substantial meal.
If you have any leftover fries, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or up to 5 days and reheat them in the air fryer, toaster oven, or microwave when you're ready to enjoy them again.
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Frequently asked questions
First, peel and cut two medium-sized sweet potatoes into fries. If you want crispier fries, cut them into thinner slices. Then, soak them in cold water for half an hour to remove excess starch and make them fluffier. Pat them dry, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and spices like garlic powder, paprika, and pepper. Toss the fries to ensure they are evenly coated. Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF, then spread the fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Cook in 5-minute intervals, shaking the basket halfway through each interval.
It takes about 15-20 minutes to cook sweet potato fries in an air fryer.
Set your air fryer to 400ºF to cook sweet potato fries.
To make crispier sweet potato fries, cut the potatoes into thinner slices, ideally 1/4-inch thick. You can also soak the potatoes in hot tap water for 10 minutes, then pat them dry before cooking. Another tip is to shake the air fryer basket several times during the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
You can use any oil you like, but oils with a high smoke point like avocado oil or canola oil are recommended.
