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

Air fryers are a great way to make sweet potato fries that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The cooking method is healthier than deep-frying, as it uses less oil, and the results are ready in under 15 minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making sweet potato fries in an air fryer, with tips on getting the perfect crisp and ideas for seasoning and serving.

How to cut sweet potato fries

Start with two medium-sized sweet potatoes that are not too long. This way, you can use the full length of the sweet potatoes as the length of the fry. Remember that sweet potato fries will shrink after cooking, so opt for a shape that is slightly longer than your ideal fry length.

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut off the skinny ends. You can save the ends for a different recipe. Then, cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. This will make it easier to lay them flat on a cutting board and start cutting into long slices.

For crispy fries, cut the potatoes into thin slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner you cut them, the crispier they will be.

Try to cut the sweet potato wedges as evenly as possible so that they cook evenly in the air fryer. It is helpful to use a sharp knife and lay the potato halves flat on a cutting surface to cut them evenly. This ensures that all the potatoes are cooked uniformly, with nothing over-cooked or under-cooked.

How to season sweet potato fries

Seasoning is a key step in making sweet potato fries in an air fryer. It's recommended to keep the seasoning simple, using just a teaspoon of olive oil, along with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. However, you can also experiment with different spices to find your preferred flavour. For example, you could try smoked paprika for a smokey flavour, cayenne pepper for some spice, or cinnamon for a sweet taste.

When seasoning your sweet potato fries, make sure to use your hands to ensure each fry is well coated. You can also add the seasoning before or after cooking the fries in the air fryer, depending on your preference. If you choose to season before cooking, simply toss the raw fries with the oil and spices until they are evenly coated. On the other hand, if you decide to season after cooking, place the cooked fries in a large bowl, add the desired amount of oil and spices, and toss until they are evenly coated again.

Additionally, the thickness of the sweet potato fries will affect their crispiness. Thinner fries will be crispier, so it is recommended to cut them into 1/4-inch thick sticks. Also, remember not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and prevent steaming.

How long to cook sweet potato fries

The cooking time for sweet potato fries in an air fryer depends on the temperature and the specific model of the air fryer. For example, the Instant Pot Vortex 4-in-1 Air Fryer is recommended to be set at 380°F for 10 minutes, with 1-minute incremental increases as needed.

Generally, sweet potato fries take between 10 to 15 minutes to cook in an air fryer. It is important to cut the fries to a similar size so that they cook evenly. It is also recommended to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can create a steaming effect instead of the desired crispiness.

For crispier fries, some recipes suggest soaking the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes or longer before patting them dry and placing them in the air fryer. Additionally, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process ensures even cooking and browning on all sides.

When cooking in batches, it is suggested to pile all the batches back into the air fryer for a minute to ensure everything is hot at the same time.

How to store sweet potato fries

Storing sweet potato fries depends on whether they are cooked or uncooked, and whether you want to store them in the short or long term.

Storing Uncooked Sweet Potato Fries

If you are storing raw sweet potatoes, do not rinse them first as the extra moisture may cause them to rot. Instead, use a dry cloth to remove any dirt. You can also cure them for 1-2 weeks by putting them in a warm and humid environment to increase their flavour and sweetness. The curing process will also create a protective skin around the sweet potato. To do this, keep them in a room that is around 80°F with 90% humidity.

Storing Cooked Sweet Potato Fries

If your sweet potato fries are already cooked, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To make them last longer, you can also store them in an airtight plastic bag or container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Tips for Storing Sweet Potato Fries

• To store sweet potato fries in the freezer, spread them out on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer them to a labelled freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
• To reheat sweet potato fries, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 425°F.
• If you are using an air fryer, place the frozen fries in an even layer and bake for 25 minutes at 425°F, flipping them after 15 minutes.

How to reheat sweet potato fries

To reheat sweet potato fries, you can use an air fryer, toaster oven, or microwave. However, using a microwave will make the potatoes soft.

If you want to retain the crispiness of the fries, it is best to reheat them in an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 380°F and let the fries cook for 1-2 minutes. You can also reheat them in an oven; cook them at 425°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Frequently asked questions