Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Air fryer sweet potato fries are crispy, mouthwatering, and so addicting!  Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce for the perfect side dish!

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Sweet potato fries have carved out their niche in the world of comfort food, offering a delightful twist on the classic french fry that’s not only richer in flavor but is also packed with nutrients! These vibrant, orange-hued fries bring a unique combination of savory satisfaction and a hint of natural sweetness, making them an irresistible side dish or snack.

Why we love these air fryer sweet potato fries

These air fryer sweet potato fries are made using less oil, so they’re also a healthy alternative to regular french fries! The air fryer cooks the sweet potatoes fries by using the circulation of hot air to cook the fries rather than deep frying. The fries are cooked more efficiently because a fan is used to circulate hot air around the food. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have homemade sweet potato in minutes!

How to cut sweet potatoes for crispy fries

1. Wash and Peel: Start by washing the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Peeling is optional; some prefer the texture and added nutrients of the skin, but if you like your fries without skins, you can peel them using a vegetable peeler.
2. Slice Off the Ends: Cut a small slice off both ends of the sweet potato. This not only helps in stabilizing the potato when cutting but also removes the harder and more fibrous ends.
3. Cut into Planks: Stand the sweet potato on one of its flat ends. Slice down the sweet potato lengthwise into slabs or planks. The thickness of these planks depends on how thick you want your fries to be. A good starting point is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
4. Slice into Fries: Take each plank and cut it lengthwise into sticks to form fries. Again, the width of these sticks should match the initial thickness of your planks for uniform cooking.
5. Soak (Optional): To help remove some of the starches and prevent the fries from sticking together, you can soak the cut fries in ice water in a large bowl for at least an hour or even overnight in the refrigerator. This step is optional but will help achieve a crisper texture when fried or baked.
7. Dry Thoroughly: Whether you’ve soaked them or not, ensure the fries are thoroughly dried with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel before cooking. This is especially important if you plan to fry or air-fry them, as moisture can prevent them from getting crispy.
8. Season and Cook: Once your sweet potato fries are cut, dried, and seasoned to your liking, they’re ready to be cooked. You can bake, fry, or air fry them, depending on your preference.

Remember, sweet potatoes are harder and denser than regular potatoes, so take care when cutting them. Always position your fingers away from the cutting path and use a stable cutting surface to avoid accidents.

How do I make sweet potato fries in the air fryer?

The key to making sure your sweet potato fries come out of the air fryer cooked perfectly crispy and evenly starts with the cut! You want to make sure each fry is the same width and generally the same size. I cut mine a quarter-inch thick, so if you like a thicker sweet potato fry, your cooking time will be slightly longer.

Spices are key in producing delicious air fryer sweet potato fries. These fries are savory, but sweet sweet potato fries would be equally delicious!

Combine the savory spices: salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a small bowl. If you like yours a little spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.  

Toss the cut sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil (you can also use avocado oil) and the herbs until they are evenly coated.

Place the Sweet potato fries are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of the fries and the cooking method used.

The key to crispy sweet potato fries is cooking them at a high temperature! High temperatures help to quickly evaporate moisture from the surface of the sweet potato fries. This rapid dehydration process is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior while keeping the interior soft and fluffy. The higher the temperature, the faster the moisture evaporates, resulting in a crispier fry.

Why should I preheat the air fryer?

Before cooking these air fryer fries, you need to preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes to 400 degrees F. While it’s actually not necessary to preheat all air fryers, most do recommend it. Even if your air fryer doesn’t recommend preheating, I think it’s a crucial step to ensure accurate cooking at the temperature you select. Preheating the air fryer is ideal for cooking because the temperature and airflow will be perfect, and food can cook to crispy with no issues.
Set the timer for 8 minutes and shake the basket at the halfway point.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!! If I’m feeling fancy, I love pairing these with my truffle aioli or the some classic ketchup is great too! You can also serve them alongside your favorite sandwich!

Tips for making the best air fryer sweet potato fries

Cut them thin. Using a sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board, cut the sweet potatoes thin. A thin cut will result in the crispiest sweet potato fries! 

Soak the potatoes. Soaking potatoes in water helps to release some of the excess starch present in the potatoes. High starch content can lead to fries that are overly sticky and gummy once cooked. By soaking them, you remove some of this excess starch, resulting in fries that are crispier on the outside and fluffier on the inside. Additionally, soaking potatoes can help ensure more even cooking. By hydrating the potatoes thoroughly, they cook more uniformly, resulting in fries that are evenly golden brown without any undercooked or burnt spots.

Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer. It allows the air to circulate all the way around the fries, resulting in perfectly crispy sweet potato fries!

Shake the basket! To get the best results, shake the air fryer basket a few times during the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

FAQ and Expert Tips

Looking for more air fryer recipes?

Love this sweet potato fry recipe? Here are some other delicious recipes you will love!

Need another recipe for healthy fries? Check out my Air Fryer Zucchini fries! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, air fryer zucchini fries are a healthy version of your favorite finger food!

This air fried salmon bowl is a delicious and healthy dinner option for a busy weeknight! 

Can’t get enough sweet potatoes? My sweet potato crostini with bacon walnut crumble is a yummy appetizer everyone will love!

Thank you for reading! If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review!

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