Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries – 20 minutes!
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are seasoned with a savory blend of paprika, garlic, and dried basil, then air-fried till golden and crisp. They are cooked in less than 20 minutes, making them the ideal quick and easy side dish or snack.
Air Fryer recipes are some of my favorites. They are healthier and a great alternative to deep frying. For easier Air Fryer side dishes that my family enjoys, try my zucchini fries, air-fried corn, or these extra-crispy potato chips.
Table of contents
Making sweet potato fries in the air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying and even to oven-roasted fries. Firstly, this method uses less oil but gets the same level of crispiness. Sweet potatoes have a high moisture content and a lot of sugar, which makes them moist. That extra moisture gets trapped while cooking. Some people make the mistake of salting them before cooking. Don’t do that; it brings out the moisture. You could add a light coating of cornstarch to soak it up before tossing them in the seasoning.
Why you will love this recipe
- Made in less than 20 minutes: I can have crispy fries in that time. And they are so easy to make!
- Just one ingredient: All I need is potatoes to make this recipe. And then I season them with the herbs and spices I like best. I choose garlic, paprika, and basil, but anything works.
- Kids love them: They are healthier than regular French fries because they are cooked without oil, and the kids don’t know that the sweet, crunchy fries taste better than any they’ve ever had!
- Less mess: I don’t have to worry about cleaning up all the messy oil that gets everywhere when I fry regular French fries.
What you will need
- Potatoes: I use medium-sized organic sweet potatoes for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Wet ingredients: I like to use extra-virgin olive oil for my sweet potato fries because it produces even browning and crispiness without a thick, oily layer or extra fat. It also helps hold the seasoning while adding extra nutrients, healthy fats, and a rich flavor.
- Seasonings: Besides salt and pepper, I also add garlic powder for a savory, non-burning flavor, minced garlic, dried basil for a slightly peppery hint, and smoked paprika for rich, earthy smokiness.
How to prepare
Cut, soak, rinse, and dry: First, I cut the potatoes into thin planks, then into ¼-in h strips. I soak them in cold water for 30 to 60 minutes to remove the starch. Then, I rinse the potato strips and pat them dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
Preheat and coat: While I preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, toss the fries in a bowl with these seasonings until well coated.
Air fry in batches: When the air fryer is heated, I cook them in batches, so they have enough room to breathe. They need to cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking every few minutes to ensure they cook evenly, until browned and crispy.
Serve with dipping sauce: Once they are all cooked, I serve them with my favorite dipping sauces.
Expert tip
Soaking the sweet potatoes
Soaking sweet potatoes before frying them removes excess starch from the surface, which can make them sticky and gummy. It will give them a crispy coating when frying, so you get crunchy French fries every time. If you want them a little sweeter, add some salt to the water to reduce the activity of oxidizing enzymes. These potatoes also help the cook evenly and are not just for frying; they also help when roasting them in the oven. However, soaking whole, unpeeled sweet potatoes does nothing, so it is only for cut potatoes. Also, never forget to rinse them and pat them dry afterward.
More tips to consider:
- Cut potatoes into similar-sized strips so they cook evenly. Thin planks about ¼ inch are perfect.
- Pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels to remove as much water as possible. Otherwise, they will steam rather than fry.
- Don’t add salt until after cooking. Salt tends to draw moisture out of the potatoes, softening them as they cook.
- Make sure the fries are completely cool before storing them, or they will get soggy from the condensation.
- Place potatoes in a single layer so the hot air can circulate between them.
- Be sure the air fryer is preheated for crispy fries.
Recipe variations and add-ins:
- Cajun fries: Having a southern-style dinner? Try sprinkling some of my homemade Cajun seasoning over these fries for a spicy boost. It goes great with his Cajun shrimp and sausage dinner.
- Ranch fries: My kids really love it when I add some of my ranch seasoning to these fries. Or sometimes I serve it with this homemade ranch dressing. Why not do both? You can never have too much ranch flavor!
- Sweet fries: Because they are already sweet, these fries taste amazing with a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Cheese fries: Anything tastes better with cheese. Whether it’s cheddar, Parmesan, or crumbled cotija, these fries take on a whole new level of deliciousness with whichever cheese you use.
- Wedge fries: Cut them into wedges to get a bigger bite of sweet potato in every mouthful. Add an extra minute of cook time if they are over ½ inch.
Serving suggestions:
These sloppy joes make a wonderful meal to go with air fryer sweet potato fries. My kids enjoy this as a quick weeknight dinner along with some kind of veggie, like oven-roasted asparagus seasoned with lemon zest and garlic, or slow-cooked creamed corn, so decadent with cream cheese and cheddar. Any vegetable or side dish will do. In fact, sometimes I don’t serve anything because we can fill up on dessert.
After all, dessert is my favorite part of the meal. Why not serve these with my Instant Pot sweet potato pie? It is buttery, creamy, and sweet, with a gingersnap crust, and it only takes 35 minutes to cook. I like to top it with my caramel sauce and homemade whipped cream for a rich, luxurious treat. Or try this TikTok sensation: crinkle cake made with velvety custard, phyllo dough, and lots of butter.
Favorite dipping sauce:
You can’t go without dipping your fries! My all-time favorites are:
How to store leftovers:
- Refrigerate: It is best to eat these right away for the crispiest fries, but they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing: They can be frozen in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Defrost: Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best results.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes, shaking after 2 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
The most common reason is overcrowding. The potato planks need plenty of space for air circulation, or they will steam rather than fry. They cannot get crispy if they steam. They cannot be touching each other or on top of each other. I always cook mine in batches, so they have plenty of room. If you are worried about them getting cold while you cook, place the finished fries in a warm oven. Having too much oil can also be an issue. Just a light toss is enough.
First, make sure the potato planks are cut into even sizes, about ¼ inch thick. They all need to be the same size, so they cook evenly. If they are too thick, they will be soft instead of crispy. Also, be sure ot to add too much olive oil. They only need a light coating. Finally, make sure the air fryer is preheated to 400 degrees F before adding the fries, or they will need to cook an extra minute or two.
It is up to you whether to peel them. The peel contains many vitamins and nutrients. It also adds extra flavor and texture. Another bonus is that the peel helps the potatoes get crispier. Also, y u will save extra time in the kitchen. Just be sure to scrub them clean before cutting them. The skin will only be on the ends of the fries, so most people don’t even do it.
More Air fryer recipes to try:
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Cut:
- Cut the sweet potatoes lengthwise into thin planks, then cut each plank into strips.
Soak:
- Soak the sweet potato fries in cold water for 30 to 60 minutes, up to 8 hours.
Dry:
- Drain the water and pat the sweet potatoes dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
Season:
- Preheat air fryer to 400F.
- Add to a bowl, then add the rest of the ingredients, and toss well to coat.
Air Fry:
- Add the fries to the air fryer and spread them out in a single layer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking every few minutes to ensure even cooking. Work in batches.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sauce.
Video
Notes
Soaking the sweet potatoes
Soaking sweet potatoes before frying them removes excess starch from the surface, which can make them sticky and gummy. It will give them a crispy coating when frying, so you get crunchy French fries every time. If you want them a little sweeter, add some salt to the water to reduce the activity of oxidizing enzymes. These potatoes also help the cook evenly and are not just for frying; they also help when roasting them in the oven. However, soaking whole, unpeeled sweet potatoes does nothing, so it is only for cut potatoes. Also, never forget to rinse them and pat them dry afterward.More tips to consider:
- Cut potatoes into similar-sized strips so they cook evenly. Thin planks about ¼ inch are perfect.
- Pat the potatoes completely dry with paper towels to remove as much water as possible. Otherwise, they will steam rather than fry.
- Don’t add salt until after cooking. Salt tends to draw moisture out of the potatoes, softening them as they cook.
- Make sure the fries are completely cool before storing them, or they will get soggy from the condensation.
- Place potatoes in a single layer so the hot air can circulate between them.
- Be sure the air fryer is preheated for crispy fries.
We can’t get enough sweet potato fries around here. I can’t wait to try the basil!
A healthier alternative from regular potato fries! Perfectly seasoned and so crispy!
I can’t wait to try this sweet potato fries! Yum!
Yummy! These were such a big hit and so delicious along with our burgers today! Definitely making this recipe again!
I really loved how easy this is to make!!
I’m making this tonight. Their soaking in cold water now. Can’t wait to see how they come out.