Making Sweet Potato Fries Crispy In Your Air Fryer

Making sweet potato fries in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried sweet potatoes. They are a great side dish and are lighter, with less fat and fewer calories. To make them crispy, it is important to cut the sweet potatoes evenly into thin slices, ideally 1/4-inch thick. You can also try soaking the sweet potatoes in water before cooking to remove excess starch and make them crispier. Additionally, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and cook in batches if needed. You can also toss the sweet potato fries with a small amount of oil and seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper to add flavour and crispiness.

Cut fries to 1/4-inch thickness

Cutting your sweet potatoes into fries with a thickness of 1/4-inch is crucial to achieving the perfect crispiness. A thinner cut will result in crispier fries, and while you can go slightly thicker, this may impact the overall texture.

To achieve a uniform thickness, it is recommended to use a sharp knife and a steady hand. Start by peeling the sweet potatoes and cutting off the skinny ends, which can be saved for another recipe. Then, cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, so they lay flat on your cutting board. From here, you can begin slicing them into long, even planks, and then cut these into fries. It is important to try and keep the fries as evenly sized as possible, as this will ensure even cooking.

If you want to get even fancier, you can try "squaring off" the pointy tips of the fries to prevent them from burning.

Soak in water for 10 minutes to overnight

Soaking the sweet potatoes in water before air frying is a great way to remove excess starch and ensure crispier fries. The length of soaking time can vary, with some recipes recommending a quick 10-minute soak in hot tap water, while others suggest a longer soak of 30 minutes to 2 hours, or even overnight. After soaking, it is important to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry before proceeding with the recipe. This soaking step is optional, and some people find that it does not make a significant difference to the crispiness of the fries. However, if you want to ensure the crispiest sweet potato fries, giving them a quick soak and a thorough dry is worth the effort.

Pat dry

Once the soaking time is up, it's essential to thoroughly pat the potatoes dry using paper towels or a kitchen towel. Aim to get them as close to completely dry as possible. If you have the time, allowing them to air dry further is even better. This step ensures that you remove all excess moisture before the potatoes go into the air fryer.

Removing the moisture through the soaking and drying process is key to achieving that coveted crispiness in your sweet potato fries.

Season with oil, salt, garlic powder, and paprika

To make sweet potato fries crispy in an air fryer, it's important to season them well. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, prepare your sweet potatoes by peeling them and cutting them into fries of your desired thickness. A thinner cut will result in crispier fries. Aim for around 1/4-inch thick fries for the best balance of crispiness and tenderness.

Now it's time to season! In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with oil, ensuring they are well coated. You can use a variety of oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Each oil will impart a slightly different flavour, so choose one that complements your taste preferences.

Next, it's time to add the dry seasonings. Sprinkle salt over thesectioned fries and toss again to ensure an even coating. You can use regular table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt, adjusting the amount to your taste.

To add some savoury notes, add garlic powder to the mix. Garlic powder enhances the overall flavour of the fries without overwhelming the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. Give the fries another good toss to ensure the garlic powder is evenly distributed.

Finally, add paprika to the mix. Regular paprika will give a subtle bite to the fries without being too spicy. Smoked paprika can also be used if you want a smokier flavour profile. Give the fries a final toss to ensure the paprika is well combined.

At this point, your sweet potato fries should be well coated with oil and seasonings. You can now proceed to cook them in your air fryer according to your preferred method and temperature settings. Remember to cook them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can lead to steaming instead of crisping. Enjoy your delicious, crispy sweet potato fries!

Air fry at 380°F for 10-12 minutes

Air frying at 380°F for 10-12 minutes is the final step in making crispy sweet potato fries. However, there are several important steps to take before this to ensure your fries are as crispy as possible.

First, cut your sweet potatoes into fries of even thickness. Thinner fries will be crispier, but be careful not to cut them too thin, or they may burn. The ideal thickness is 1/4-inch. You can peel the sweet potatoes before cutting them, or leave the skin on for extra fibre.

Next, you can soak the sweet potato fries in a large bowl of cold water for at least 10 minutes and up to 2 hours. This removes excess starch and helps the fries crisp up in the air fryer. However, some people find that this step doesn't make a difference, so you may wish to experiment with soaking and not soaking to see which method you prefer. After soaking, be sure to dry the sweet potato fries thoroughly.

Now it's time to season your fries. Place them in a large bowl and toss with a small amount of oil—just enough to coat them. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any other neutral-tasting oil. Then, add your seasonings. Salt and pepper are classics, but you can also try garlic powder, smoked paprika, or onion powder. Toss the fries to ensure they are evenly coated.

When you're ready to cook the fries, preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can cause steaming and prevent crisping. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even frying.

When the time is up, your sweet potato fries should be crispy and golden brown. If they're not quite crispy enough, you can air fry for an additional minute or two, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning. Remove the fries from the air fryer and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions