Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

This post was first published on A Food Lover’s Kitchen.

This recipe makes the best Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries without a hassle of baking in the oven. The air fryer makes perfect, crispy sweet potato fries in a fraction of the time.

Sweet potato fries are definitely one of my favorite things. Any time we eat somewhere that I can substitute sweet potato for regular fries, I do. There’s something so delicious about soft, yet crunchy, sweet potato fries. They rank right up there with air fryer wedge potatoes.

Why You’ll Love It

• Crispy Perfection: Cooking sweet potato fries in the air fryer ensures a delightful crispiness that’s hard to achieve with conventional methods. The hot air circulation in the air fryer creates a golden-brown exterior while preserving the natural sweetness and tenderness of the sweet potato on the inside.
• Convenient: It alleviates the need to turn on the oven or deep fryer, making it the perfect choice for those moments when you’re craving a quick and delicious side dish. It’s simple, easy, and so tasty. The fries turn out perfect every time.
• Healthier Option: Air frying sweet potato fries means you can relish the flavor without excess oil. This cooking method requires minimal oil to achieve that coveted crispiness.

Toni says: I loved it! One of my favorite air fryer recipes!

» Looking for a few other air fryer recipes to try? These Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers and Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets are quick and easy!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Sweet potatoes – You can use any sized sweet potatoes for this recipe. Make sure you choose fresh produce. The sweet potatoes should be firm to touch and should be without cuts or bruises.
• Cooking oil – Olive oil is not just full of healthy fats but will also help cook the sweet potatoes with a crispy exterior. If you don’t have olive oil, you can use avocado oil or canola oil as well.
• Seasoning – Optional. Salt and freshly ground black pepper work best for me. However, you can add more spices according to your liking. Use paprika for a sweet, smoky, and spicy flavor. You can also use red chili flakes or cayenne pepper. Add cumin powder or cinnamon for warmth and distinctive taste. 

Helpful Tips

• Cut into thin matchsticks, about a 1/4″ thick. You can make them as thin or chunky as you like, but the thinner they are the crispier the end product will be. Cut them thicker if you like your fries with a soft middle and less crispiness.
• But keep in mind that cutting the fries thicker will change the cook time. It might take 10 minutes total to cook thicker fries. You can determine how much additional time is needed to trying one after the 8 minutes is up.
• Craving something sweet? Season the sweet potatoes with cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple syrup.
• You can peel or leave the peel on to the potato. It won’t affect it either way.
• If you find that the fries are burning lower the temperature and continue cooking.
• When spraying the potatoes and basket, make sure to use pure oil such as avocado, canola, or vegetable oil. Don’t use a non-stick cooking oil spray, as it has other additives that can disrupt the air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries From Scratch

Step 1: Prep the Sweet Potatoes

To start, peel the skin, since the skin of sweet potatoes can be quite tough after cooking. Then wash the sweet potatoes and pat them dry.

Cut them into thin matchsticks, about a 1/4″ thick. You can make them as thin or chunky as you like, but the thinner they are the crispier the end product will be.

Step 2: Air Fry

Spray the potatoes with oil, and also spray the bottom of the air fryer basket to help prevent sticking. (Remember, don’t use a non-stick cooking spray! A reusable oil sprayer is the way to go!)

Place the potatoes in the basket, making sure not to crowd them so that they crisp on all sides. Air fry at 400°F(205°C) for 8 minutes, flipping them half way through.

Step 3: Season & Enjoy

Add your desired seasoning after removing them from the basket. And you’re finished. Simple and delicious sweet potato fries in the air fryer!

Make Them From Frozen

If you want to make store bought frozen sweet potato fries, you will follow a similar cooking time.

Pour as many sweet potato fries as you want into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F(205°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them half way through.

Keep in mind that all air fryers vary and so it might take a few more or less minutes to cook the fries in your air fryer. Keep an eye on them and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes at a time until they reach your desired crispiness.

How to Store & Reheat

Store any leftovers in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid in your refrigerator. If you have a large batch leftover, consider separating them into individual portions before storing them.

You can reheat the sweet potato fries in the air fryer easily. Add them to the air fryer basket and cook for 3-4 minutes on 400° F(205°C). Test for desired warmth and crispness.

Questions About the Recipe

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