If you’re craving the perfect blend of crispiness and natural sweetness, you’ll absolutely adore this Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe. These fries are a fantastic twist on a classic, giving you that golden, crunchy bite on the outside with tender, melt-in-your-mouth sweet potato goodness on the inside—all without deep-frying. Trust me, this recipe is about to become your go-to snack or side dish!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
There are so many reasons to jump into making these fries, but here are a few favorites that make this Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe truly special:
Healthy & Light: Air frying uses less oil than traditional frying methods, so you get crispy fries with fewer calories and less guilt.
Super Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a batch quickly—no complicated sauces or special flours needed.
Crunchy Texture & Sweet Flavor: The balance between the crispy edges and soft interior offers a texture combination that’s downright addictive.
Versatile & Customizable: Whether you love smoky paprika or want to add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a cozy twist, this recipe is a blank canvas for your own flavor adventures.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe shines because it leans on simple, everyday ingredients that work together to bring out the fries’ natural sweetness while delivering crispy perfection. Each ingredient has its own important role, from moisture to seasoning to that beautiful golden color.
- Sweet potatoes: The star of the show! Choose firm, large sweet potatoes for easy cutting and consistent cooking.
- Olive oil: Just enough to lightly coat the fries and help them crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Onion powder: Adds a subtle savory depth that complements the sweet potatoes perfectly.
- Sweet paprika: Brings a lovely smoky sweetness and vibrant color to your fries.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for enhancing flavor—it’s a game changer when sprinkled both before and after cooking.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F—this ensures it’s hot and ready to deliver that crispy finish. While it’s warming up, wash and dry your sweet potatoes thoroughly. Peel them if you prefer, or leave the skin on for extra texture and nutrients. Then, slice into ¼-inch thick strips for that classic fry shape.
Step 2: Season and Coat the Fries
Place your sweet potato strips into a large bowl or a zip-top bag. Drizzle with olive oil and toss together with onion powder, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper. Massage the fries gently until they’re all evenly coated—this step is what gives you that irresistible flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Transfer the seasoned fries into your air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes or so to promote even cooking and browning. Keep an eye on the fries near the end—those thin ends can brown quickly, so remove any that get too dark.
Step 4: Final Touches and Serve
When your fries have achieved a beautiful, slightly browned crisp exterior and a tender, soft interior, remove them from the air fryer. Sprinkle a little extra salt over the top while they’re still hot—the seasoning sinks in beautifully at this stage. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy every crunchy, flavorful bite.
How to Serve Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate these fries, consider garnishing with some chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and fresh flavor. A light dusting of smoked paprika or even some grated Parmesan can add an exciting twist. For a spicy kick, try a drizzle of chipotle mayo or sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes.
Side Dishes
These fries pair wonderfully with burgers, grilled chicken, or fish tacos. They also make a fantastic side for a hearty salad or roasted veggies, adding that crispy comfort-food component to your meal. If you’re having a casual get-together, they’re an irresistible snack alongside a charcuterie board or dipped into fresh guacamole.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, serve your sweet potato fries in small paper cones or mini baskets lined with parchment for that street-food vibe. Layer them on a rustic wooden board with small ramekins of different dipping sauces. You could even top them with crumbled feta cheese and finely sliced green onions for a gourmet flair. Presentation can definitely turn snack time from casual to celebration!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (they don’t usually last long!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep their crispiness, avoid stacking the fries too tightly and try to reheat them as soon as possible.
Freezing
You can freeze these fries, but to maintain the best texture, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat from frozen in the air fryer—this helps keep them crispy without getting soggy.
Reheating
The air fryer shines again when reheating your fries! Preheat it to 375°F, then pop the fries in for 3-5 minutes. This quick reheat refreshes their crispy exterior, making them almost as good as freshly cooked.
FAQs
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Can I soak sweet potato fries before air frying?
Soaking sweet potato fries can help reduce some of the starch and prevent excess moisture, but unlike regular potatoes, soaking sweet potatoes doesn’t make a significant difference in crispiness. You can skip soaking for a quicker preparation without sacrificing much texture.
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What oil is best for air fryer sweet potato fries?
Olive oil is a fantastic choice for flavor and crispiness, but you can also use avocado oil or any high-smoke-point oil you’re comfortable with. The key is to use just enough to lightly coat the fries without making them soggy.
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How do I make sure my sweet potato fries are crispy?
Cut the fries evenly to ensure consistent cooking, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket so air can circulate well, and shake the basket halfway through cooking. Also, seasoning with salt both before and after air frying enhances both flavor and texture.
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Can I use this recipe for regular potatoes?
Absolutely! While cooking times may vary slightly, this method works brilliantly for regular potato fries too. Adjust the cooking time to ensure the fries are fully cooked and crispy.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe is truly a game changer—combining ease, flavor, and crispiness in such a satisfying way. Give it a try next time you want a snack or side that feels indulgent but is actually pretty healthy. I promise these fries will become a staple in your kitchen, ready to wow family and friends alike!
Print
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are a crispy, flavorful, and healthier alternative to traditional fried fries. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients like sweet potatoes, olive oil, and seasonings, they come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside using an air fryer.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Fries
- 2 large sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed well (peeled or unpeeled)
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (adjust as needed)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (for 1 potato)
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) following your manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, this takes about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Wash and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Cut them into ¼-inch wide strips lengthwise to form fries. You can soak the cut fries in water for 30 minutes to 2 hours to remove excess starch, but this step is optional as it doesn’t significantly affect texture for sweet potatoes.
- Toss with Oil and Spices: In a large bowl or zip-lock bag, combine the sweet potato strips with olive oil, onion powder, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper. Massage or shake to ensure all fries are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Air Fry the Fries: Place the seasoned fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking or tossing the basket halfway through cooking a couple of times for even crisping.
- Check for Doneness: Once fries are crispy and cooked through, remove them. If not fully crispy, continue frying a few more minutes. Be cautious with thinner ends to prevent charring.
- Season and Serve: Immediately after frying, sprinkle additional salt (preferably sea salt) over the fries to enhance flavor. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of olive oil to as little as 1 tablespoon or a bit more for extra crispiness and flavor, but less oil is fine for air frying.
- Salt the fries before air frying and add more salt after frying for better flavor absorption and seasoning balance.
- Air fried fries can be reheated once on the same day by heating them in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Cut fries evenly to avoid uneven cooking; very thin ends can burn quickly.