Air Fryer Sweet Potato Crisps: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Sweet potato crisps are a delicious, healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried crisps. They are lower in fat and calories and can be made in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes. The key to getting them crispy is to cut them thinly and evenly, and to soak them in water before cooking. You can also experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour.

Choosing the right sweet potatoes

Look for medium-sized sweet potatoes: When making sweet potato crisps, it's best to choose sweet potatoes that are not too long. This way, you can use the full length of the potato for the crisps. Remember that the potatoes will shrink during cooking, so select ones that are slightly longer than your desired crisp length.

Check for soft spots and wrinkles: Always inspect the sweet potatoes before purchasing. Avoid potatoes with soft skin, wrinkles, cracks, or soft spots. Look for firm, smooth-skinned potatoes.

Consider the colour: Sweet potatoes come in various colours, including orange and white. The bright orange variety tends to be sweeter than the white ones. If you prefer a balance of sweet and spicy flavours, orange sweet potatoes are a good choice.

Storage matters: Sweet potatoes have a long shelf life when stored properly. Look for sweet potatoes that have been stored in a cool, dry place. At home, store them in a similar manner to prolong their freshness.

Slice them thinly: For crispy sweet potato crisps, it's essential to slice the potatoes thinly. Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to cut the potatoes into thin, even slices. The ideal thickness ranges from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Thicker slices will result in less crispy crisps.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer: When placing the sweet potato slices in the air fryer, avoid overcrowding. They should be in a single layer, with a bit of space between them. Overlapping the slices may create a steaming effect instead of the desired crispiness.

By choosing the right sweet potatoes and following these simple preparation tips, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, crispy sweet potato crisps in your air fryer!

Preparing the sweet potatoes

• Start by selecting two medium-sized sweet potatoes that are not too long. This ensures you can use the full length of the sweet potato for your crisps. Remember, the sweet potatoes will shrink during cooking, so choose ones that are slightly longer than your desired crisp length.
• Peel the sweet potatoes. You can use a vegetable peeler or a small knife to remove the skin.
• Cut off the skinny ends of the sweet potatoes. You can save these ends for another recipe, such as mashed sweet potatoes or sweet potato soup.
• Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. This will make it easier to create evenly sized crisps.
• Cut the sweet potato halves into long slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner you cut them, the crispier your crisps will be. Try to make the slices as even as possible to ensure even cooking.
• If you have the time, you can soak your sweet potato slices in a large bowl of cold water with ice cubes for about 30 minutes. This helps to remove some of the starch and will result in crispier crisps. However, this step is optional.
• After soaking, rinse and pat the sweet potato slices thoroughly dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. It's important to remove as much moisture as possible before air frying.
• Place the dry sweet potato slices in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with your preferred oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any other type of oil you like. Use your hands or tongs to ensure each slice is evenly coated.
• Next, it's time to season your sweet potato slices. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, chili powder, or cumin. Simply sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the sweet potato slices and toss to coat.
• Once your sweet potatoes are prepared, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Make sure the slices aren't overlapping and have enough space for the hot air to circulate.

Now that your sweet potatoes are prepared, you can move on to the next steps of air frying and enjoying your delicious, crispy sweet potato crisps!

Seasoning the sweet potatoes

Selecting Seasonings

The choice of seasonings depends on your preference for flavours. You can opt for a simple combination of olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. If you want a smokier flavour, smoked paprika is a good option. For a spicy kick, include some cayenne pepper or chilli powder. Alternatively, you can go for a sweeter taste by sprinkling cinnamon or pumpkin spice. For a unique blend, consider using Cajun seasoning.

Preparing the Sweet Potatoes

Start by peeling the sweet potatoes and slicing them into even sticks or spears, approximately 1/4 inch thick. If you want crispier results, aim for thinner slices. You can use a mandoline to get them uniformly thin, but be cautious when handling this tool.

Tossing with Oil and Seasonings

Place the sliced sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Add a small amount of oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil. Toss the sweet potatoes until they are evenly coated with oil. Then, sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the potatoes and toss again to ensure each slice is well-coated. You can use your hands to guarantee an even coating.

Layering in the Air Fryer

After seasoning, carefully place the sweet potato slices in the air fryer basket. They can touch or overlap slightly, as they will shrink during the cooking process. Just ensure you don't overcrowd the basket, as this can create a steaming effect instead of the desired crispiness.

Mid-Cooking Adjustments

During the cooking process, remember to shake the basket or use tongs to turn the sweet potatoes. This ensures even cooking and prevents burning. If you notice excess water in the bowl from the potatoes, avoid retossing them with the seasonings, as it may wash off.

Final Touches

Once the sweet potato crisps are golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a rack. They will become crispier as they cool. If desired, sprinkle some salt over the crisps while they are still hot.

Feel free to experiment with different spices and oils to find your favourite combinations!

Cooking the sweet potatoes

To make sweet potato crisps in an air fryer, start by preparing the sweet potatoes. Cut off both ends of a peeled sweet potato and slice it into long, 1/4-inch thick spears that are as evenly sized as possible. You can use a mandoline to get them nice and thin. Try to "square off" the pointy tips so you don't get burnt tips.

Next, fill a large mixing bowl with cold water and add two handfuls of ice cubes. Stir in the raw sweet potato fries and let them soak for 30 minutes to an hour. The longer you soak them, the better. This process helps to remove the starch from the potatoes, which will make them crisp up better in the air fryer.

After soaking, preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F. Drain the water from the soaked sweet potato fries, rinse with fresh water, and pat them completely dry with a kitchen towel. Getting them as dry as possible is important! If you have time, let them air dry.

Now it's time to season the sweet potato spears. In a large bowl, toss the dry spears with your choice of seasonings. You can use arrowroot powder, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, or salt. Add a splash of oil and toss again. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil of your choice.

Once the sweet potato spears are seasoned, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Divide the prepared spears into two batches to ensure even cooking. Place the first batch in the air fryer basket, making sure they are evenly spaced and not overlapping. Cook them for 12-15 minutes at 350-380°F, flipping halfway through. The thinner your spears are, the quicker they will cook. Repeat this process with the second batch.

When the fries are done, remove them from the air fryer basket and place them on a wire cooling rack, spaced apart. Season with salt, if desired, and let them cool for 5-10 minutes. This waiting period will allow them to crisp up even more. Enjoy your sweet potato crisps!

Storing the sweet potatoes

When storing sweet potatoes, it's important to keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place, like a pantry or basement. They should not be washed before storing, as the extra moisture can lead to rotting. Instead, use a dry cloth to remove any dirt. You can also cure them for 1-2 weeks in a warm and humid environment to increase their flavour and sweetness. Curing creates a protective skin around the sweet potato, guarding against scratches and bruising. To do this, keep the sweet potatoes in a room that's around 80°F with 90% humidity.

For short-term storage, you can keep raw sweet potatoes in a bowl on the counter if you plan to use them within a day or two. Otherwise, store them in a breathable container in a cool, dark place with good ventilation. Avoid putting them in the refrigerator, as this can alter their flavour and texture. With proper storage, raw sweet potatoes can last several weeks to a month.

If you're storing cooked sweet potatoes, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they'll stay fresh for about a week.

You can also freeze sweet potatoes, but they should be cooked first. Freezing is a great way to preserve leftovers, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.

Frequently asked questions