Emilie Meyer
Sweet potato fries are a tasty and nutritious snack, offering dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals like potassium and magnesium. They can be made in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to deep frying as it uses less oil and cooks food with up to 80% less fat than a traditional oven. This article will focus on how to cook sweet potato fries in a NuWave air fryer, a versatile appliance that can cook various foods, including chicken, fish, steak, and vegetables, as well as desserts.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right sweet potatoes
When choosing the right sweet potatoes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, 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, aiming for a thickness of around 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch. Remember that sweet potato fries will shrink during cooking, so opt for potatoes that are slightly longer than your ideal fry length.
It is also important to consider the shape of the sweet potatoes. Look for potatoes that have a relatively uniform shape, as this will make it easier to cut them into even-sized matchsticks. Avoid potatoes with a lot of curves or indentations, as they will be more challenging to cut into uniform fries.
The type of sweet potato you choose is also important. While most varieties will work, some of the most common and readily available options include Garnet sweet potatoes. You can also leave the skin on or peel it off, depending on your preference. If you decide to leave the skin on, make sure to give the potatoes a good scrub and pat them dry before slicing.
When selecting your sweet potatoes, look for those that are firm to the touch and have smooth, taut skin. Avoid potatoes with soft spots, wrinkles, or sprouting ends, as these are signs of deterioration. Additionally, choose sweet potatoes that feel heavy for their size, as this indicates they are moist and have a higher water content, which will result in a better texture after frying.
Lastly, consider the colour of the sweet potatoes. The most common varieties have orange or purple flesh, but you can also find white-fleshed sweet potatoes. The colour won't affect the cooking process, but it can add some variety to your dish.
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Preparing the sweet potatoes
Next, cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, so they are easier to manage and lay flat on your cutting board. Now, you can start cutting the potatoes into long slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner you cut them, the crispier they will be, but be careful not to make them too thin, or they may burn. Try to cut the fries as evenly as possible to ensure consistent cooking.
Once you have your sweet potato slices, you can choose to soak them in water for about 10 minutes, which some people say helps to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness. After soaking, pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. Now, you are ready to season your fries. Place them in a large bowl and toss with a teaspoon of olive oil or another neutral-tasting oil such as canola or avocado oil. You can also use a spray oil on the fries or the air fryer basket.
For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add some extra flavour with garlic powder and paprika. Toss the fries well to ensure they are evenly coated, then they are ready to be placed in the air fryer basket.
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Seasoning the sweet potatoes
For example, you could try a combination of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the sweet potato fries in a bowl with these seasonings until each fry is well coated. You can also experiment with different oils, such as canola oil or avocado oil, to find your preferred taste and texture.
If you're looking for a cheesy option, try adding Parmesan cheese to the fries. Parmesan has a sharp flavor and a slightly crunchy texture that can enhance the taste of the sweet potatoes. You can also try a garlic Parmesan crust by adding more garlic powder and grated Parmesan cheese to the mix.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and spices to find your perfect combination. You can also try serving your sweet potato fries with various dipping sauces, such as ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
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Cooking the sweet potatoes
To cook sweet potatoes in a Nuwave air fryer, start by selecting two medium-sized sweet potatoes that are not too long. Peel the potatoes or leave the skin on for more fibre. Cut off the skinny ends and save them for another recipe. Then, cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise and lay them flat on a cutting board. Cut them into fries that are roughly 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner you cut them, the crispier they will be.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the seasoning. Toss the sweet potato fries with a teaspoon of olive oil or vegetable oil, along with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure each fry is well-coated. You can also soak the fries in water for 10 to 30 minutes before patting them dry and tossing them with oil and seasoning.
Once the air fryer is preheated to 370°F to 390°F, place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
You can reheat any leftover fries in the air fryer at 360°F for 1-2 minutes to ensure they are crispy.
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Storing and reheating the sweet potatoes
Storing your leftover sweet potato fries is easy. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. They will last for up to three to four days.
When you're ready to reheat your sweet potato fries, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. You can spritz the fries with a bit of cooking spray or mix in a little oil—olive, avocado, or grapeseed oil are all good options—to help them crisp up. Place the fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they're not overcrowded, and cook for 4-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The fries are done when they're heated through and as crispy as you like them.
If your air fryer has a reheat setting, you can use that instead. Simply arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer and press the reheat button. Depending on the model, the reheat setting may be longer than necessary, so you can take them out when they're done to your liking.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 12 minutes to cook sweet potato fries in a NuWave air fryer.
First, peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick fries. Then, soak the potatoes in water for 10-30 minutes. Drain and pat them dry before tossing them with oil and seasoning.
Preheat your NuWave air fryer to between 370°F and 390°F.
To get crispy sweet potato fries, cut the potatoes into thin, even slices. The cooking time and temperature will depend on your air fryer's wattage. For example, a 900-watt oven should be set to 360ºF for 18 to 20 minutes, while a 1700-watt oven should be set to the same temperature for 10 minutes.
Sweet potato fries go well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
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