Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips: Homemade, Healthy, And Crispy!

Making sweet potato chips in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried sweet potatoes. It uses less oil, reducing the fat and calorie content of the dish. The air fryer cooks the chips to a crispy crunch, making them a delicious snack or side dish. The preparation is simple, and the chips can be seasoned to your preference. The cooking time is also relatively short, taking less than 30 minutes in most cases.

Choosing the right sweet potatoes

First, look for medium-sized sweet potatoes. This size will ensure that your chips have a good surface area for crisping up in the air fryer. Avoid potatoes that are too small or too large, as they may be difficult to slice evenly or may not cook evenly.

Next, consider the variety of sweet potato. The bright orange-fleshed sweet potatoes tend to be sweeter than the white-fleshed ones. If you want a more pronounced sweet and spicy contrast in your chips, go for the orange ones. However, if you prefer a milder flavour, the white-fleshed variety would be a better choice.

When selecting your sweet potatoes, look for ones that are firm and have smooth, unbruised skin. Avoid potatoes with soft spots, shrivelled skin, or sprouting ends, as these are signs of age or damage. Also, try to find sweet potatoes that are similar in size, as this will help ensure even cooking.

For the best flavour and texture, use fresh sweet potatoes. Older potatoes tend to have a higher water content, which can affect how well they crisp up in the air fryer. If you can, buy your sweet potatoes from a source that has a high product turnover, ensuring that you get the freshest produce.

Finally, you'll need to decide whether to peel your sweet potatoes or leave the skin on. Peeling them will give you a more uniform texture and colour, but leaving the skin on adds fibre and a rustic look to your chips. It's a matter of personal preference, so choose what appeals to you most.

Preparing the sweet potatoes

Now, it's time to cut your fries. Using a sharp knife or a mandolin, cut the sweet potato halves into long slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner you cut them, the crispier they will be. If you want to get really thin, crispy chips, a mandolin is a great tool to achieve that consistency.

Once you have your sweet potato slices, it's a good idea to soak them in cold water for about 20 minutes. This helps to remove the starch from the potatoes, which can make them soggy. After soaking, remove them from the water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

At this point, you can proceed to seasoning and cooking your chips. However, if you want to ensure your chips are extra crispy, there is an additional step you can take. Submerge the sweet potato slices in a large bowl of hot tap water for about 10 minutes. Then, drain them, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet, and pat them thoroughly dry. This step helps to further remove starch and moisture, resulting in crispier chips.

Now your sweet potatoes are ready to be tossed in oil and seasoned before being placed in the air fryer.

Seasoning the sweet potatoes

Firstly, select your seasonings of choice. A simple combination of olive oil, salt, and pepper is a classic option, but feel free to experiment with other spices and herbs. Some popular choices include garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and chili powder. You can also try using avocado oil or canola oil instead of olive oil. If you're feeling adventurous, add some brown sugar or cinnamon for a sweet twist.

Once you have gathered your chosen seasonings, prepare your sweet potatoes by slicing them into thin, even pieces. The thickness of your slices will impact the cooking time and crispiness, so aim for a consistent size. You can use a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife to achieve thin, uniform slices.

Next, if you have the time, consider soaking your sweet potato slices in cold water for about 10 to 20 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, which can interfere with the crispiness of your chips. After soaking, be sure to pat the slices dry with a paper towel before proceeding.

Now it's time to toss your sweet potato slices with the oil and seasonings. Use your hands or tongs to ensure each slice is evenly coated. You don't need to use a lot of oil; a light coating will do. If you're using a wet ingredient like honey or maple syrup, you may want to mix it with the oil first to help it adhere better to the potatoes.

After seasoning, it's essential to create a single layer of sweet potato slices in your air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to uneven cooking and prevent your chips from crisping up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Finally, follow the cooking instructions for your air fryer, typically cooking at a temperature between 350-380°F for 10-15 minutes. Don't forget to shake the basket or flip the slices halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping. Keep a close eye on your chips towards the end of the cooking time, as they can go from golden brown to burnt very quickly.

And that's it! By following these steps for seasoning and cooking your sweet potatoes, you'll end up with delicious, crispy air fryer chips that are perfect for snacking or as a side dish. Enjoy!

Cooking the sweet potatoes

First, peel your sweet potatoes. If you prefer, you can leave the skin on for extra fibre. Next, cut the sweet potatoes into thin slices. You can use a mandoline to get them nice and thin, but be careful of your fingers! A sharp knife will also do the trick. The thinner you slice them, the crispier they will be.

Once you have your slices, you can choose to soak them in cold water for 20 minutes to remove excess starch. This step is not essential, but it will help to make your chips crispier. After soaking, pat the slices dry with a paper towel.

Now it's time to season your chips. Place the sweet potato slices in a bowl and toss with a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any other oil of your choice. Make sure each slice is lightly coated with oil. Then, sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the slices and toss again to coat. You can use salt, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder, or brown sugar. You can also experiment with different spices, such as smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or cinnamon.

Place the slices in the air fryer in a single layer. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this will affect how crispy they become. Preheat your air fryer to between 350-380°F (180-190°C). Cook the chips for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on them towards the end, as they can burn easily.

Your chips are ready when they are golden brown. Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack. They will continue to crisp up as they cool. Enjoy your homemade sweet potato chips!

Storing the sweet potato chips

If your chips have gone soft, you can revive them by baking them in the oven at a low temperature (around 225°F) for a few minutes until they crisp up again. You can also use an air fryer to crisp them up.

Frequently asked questions