Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Sweet potato fries are a tasty, healthier alternative to traditional fries. They are also simple to make in an air fryer and can be ready in less than 15 minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making sweet potato fries in an air fryer.

Choosing and preparing sweet potatoes

Choosing the right sweet potatoes is essential for making delicious fries in your air fryer. Look for medium to large sweet potatoes that are similar in size and not too long. This way, you can get evenly sized fries, ensuring consistent cooking.

When preparing the sweet potatoes, start by peeling them and cutting off the skinny ends, which you can save for another recipe. Then, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, so they lie flat on your cutting board. From here, you can cut them into long slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner you slice them, the crispier your fries will be.

Once you have your fries cut, it's a good idea to soak them in cold water for about 10 to 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, resulting in a fluffier texture and crispier exterior. After soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes thoroughly dry before seasoning and cooking.

Now, you're ready to season and cook your sweet potato fries! For seasoning, you can keep it simple with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper, or get creative with spices like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or cinnamon. You only need a light coating of oil and spices, just enough to give your fries a tasty exterior without making them soggy.

Finally, arrange the seasoned fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches. Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, aiming for a temperature between 350°F and 400°F, and cook until your fries are golden brown and crispy.

Oil and seasoning

The amount of oil you'll need to make sweet potato fries in an air fryer is minimal. A teaspoon or two of olive oil is enough to coat the potatoes and give them a crispy texture. You can also use avocado oil, canola oil, or cooking spray.

When it comes to seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika. You can also use a seasoning blend like Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning or Lawry's Seasoning Salt. Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices to find your favourite flavour profile.

To ensure even coating, toss the sweet potato fries in a large bowl with the oil and seasonings until they are well coated. You can use your hands to rub the seasonings onto the fries and ensure they are evenly distributed.

Air fryer settings

• Preheat the air fryer to between 380°F and 400°F.
• If your air fryer does not have a pre-heat function, simply let it run with an empty basket for about 3-4 minutes at 400ºF.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the fries in 2 or 3 batches.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket as this can create a steaming effect instead of crisping your fries. Fries should be in a single layer and not overlapping.
• Halfway through cooking, shake the basket or use tongs to turn the fries.
• Depending on the temperature and specific type of your air fryer, the fries should be done in 10-12 minutes.
• For crispier fries, you can increase the temperature to 380°F for the last 4-5 minutes.
• For frozen sweet potato fries, increase the cooking time by about 5 minutes and shake the basket several times throughout the cooking process.

Cooking time and method

The cooking time for sweet potato fries in an air fryer is typically around 10-12 minutes, but this can vary depending on the thickness of the fries and the specific air fryer model. It is recommended to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can cause them to steam instead of crisp.

• Start by preheating your air fryer to 380-400°F (190-200°C).
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the sweet potatoes by peeling them and cutting them into fries of even thickness, preferably 1/4-inch thick. Soaking the raw fries in cold water for 10-30 minutes can help remove excess starch and improve crispness, but it is optional.
• Dry the sweet potato fries thoroughly with a kitchen towel or air-dry them.
• In a large bowl, toss the dry fries with a small amount of oil (olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil). You can also add spices such as salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika to taste. Toss well to ensure even coating.
• Place the seasoned sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Air fry the sweet potato fries for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the fries halfway through to ensure even cooking. The fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the cooked fries from the air fryer and place them on a wire cooling rack or a large plate. Season with salt, if desired, and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Note: For crispier sweet potato fries, you can also try a two-step cooking method. First, air fry the fries at 350°F (180°C) for 8 minutes, shake the basket, and then cook for another 5 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 380°F (200°C), add more oil and spices, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are golden brown and crispy.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer sweet potato fries are a great side dish for many meals. They can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ketchup, ranch, fry sauce, or something spicier like a vegan tzatziki sauce, a honey mustard sauce, or a garlic sour cream dip.

They also go well with burgers, such as turkey burgers, or with chicken, such as air fryer chicken nuggets, chicken wings, or chicken breast. They can be a great side dish for BBQ food, such as BBQ chicken or BBQ bean sliders.

If you want to make a meal of it, sweet potato fries can be served with portobello mushroom burgers, avocado burgers, or quinoa burgers. They also go well with grilled food, such as grilled portobello mushrooms and onions, or grilled avocado.

For a healthier option, they can be served with kale chips, or pizza, as the air fryer is a great way to reheat food without it going soggy.

Frequently asked questions