Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned all over. So easy to make, these sweet potato fries are the best and make the most delicious side dish or appetizer – especially when dipped in homemade ranch dressing!
Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
If you’re looking for guaranteed crispy and delicious sweet potato fries, then the air fryer is the way to go. Made with WAY less oil than deep frying, they’re also WAY crispier than baked sweet potato fries (yes, I know, I said it). In other words, if there was ever a reason to purchase an air fryer it would be just for the fries. And maybe the Brussels sprouts.
Anyway, these are my favorite sweet potato fries ever. Completely guilt-free and good for you, you’ll never know the difference between deep-fried restaurant sweet potato fries and these air fryer sweet potato fries. Well, maybe you’ll be able to tell just a tiny bit, but the kids won’t!
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to between 370-380 degrees F. Spray the inside with a light coating of non-stick cooking spray.
Prepare the sweet potatoes with a good scrubbing under cold water. Dry thoroughly. You can peel the skin or leave it on (I like to leave the skin on my sweet potatoes).
Cut the sweet potatoes into long and thin sticks (see below) and toss with a little oil and your favorite seasonings. I recommend a simple combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, and sugar.
Cook the sweet potato fries in single, non-overlapping batches for best results. Shake the basket every 5 minutes and start checking every 1-2 minutes for doneness after 10 minutes.
Repeat until all of the sweet potato fries have been cooked.
How to Cut Sweet Potato Fries
Cut each sweet potato in half lengthwise to make two halves. Place the two halves cut-side (or flat-side) down onto the cutting board. Cut each half lengthwise into strips about 1/4-inch thick. Turn the strips on their side and slice any thicker strips so that they are each 1/4-inch thick on all sides.
The thinner they’re cut, the crispier (and faster) they’ll cook!
Tips and Tricks
- Longer isn’t always better: Try to purchase sweet potatoes that are about 5-6 inches in length. Sweet potatoes longer than 8-9 inches will need to be cut in half crosswise so that they can fit in the air fryer basket.
- Cut the potatoes evenly: This simply helps ensure that your potatoes will all cook in the same amount of time.
- Cook in batches: As tempted as you may be, it’s best not to overcrowd the basket. Cook them in a single layer.
- Turn and shake at least once: Flip, toss, shake, turn, just make sure the fries change position at least once during cooking.
- Keep them warm: Keep cooked sweet potato fries warm between batches by transferring them to a lined baking sheet and placing them in a preheated 200°F oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
I did not soak my sweet potato fries and found them to be perfectly crispy and delicious. With that said, it is known that soaking not only sweet potato fries but all types of potatoes, in water before cooking helps remove some of the excess starch. Should you choose to soak your sweet potato fries, do so in a bowl filled with cold water for 30-60 minutes. Dry well after draining.
Pick an oil with a higher smoke point. I used extra virgin olive oil, but avocado oil and canola oil will also work great.
The total time will depend on which model air fryer you are using, the temperature you are cooking them at, and how thick your fries have been cut. In general, plan on at least 10 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
If there’s too much moisture, your sweet potato fries will have a hard time getting crispy. Remember to dry your sweet potato fries before tossing them in oil and seasoning. Also, remember to cook them in a single layer. This will allow the hot air to circulate around, and crisp, the entire sweet potato fry. When they’re piled on top of each other, the sweet potato fries are going to steam each other as their moisture is released during cooking.
More Air Fryer Recipes and Cooking Resources,
Have you tried making Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer?
Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar - optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon - optional
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and spray the inside of your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. (I use the Cosori Air Fryer and love it)
- Scrub the sweet potatoes under cold running water and dry them completely. Peel or leave the skin on (I like to leave it on).
- Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Place the two halves cut-side down onto the cutting board and cut each half lengthwise into ¼-inch thick strips. Turn the strips on their side and slice each into ¼-inch sticks. If your fries are longer than 6 inches or so, cut them in half crosswise. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Place the fries in a large mixing bowl and toss with extra virgin olive oil, sugar (optional), salt, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon (if desired), and black pepper.
- Working in batches, transfer just enough sweet potato fries to your air fryer basket so that they are in a single layer.
- Cook for 5 minutes, slide the basket out and flip the fries/shake the basket, then continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Check again after 5 minutes. If your fries need more time, carefully shake the basket before cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes (cooking time will vary by air fryer model and thickness of your sweet potato fries).
- Remove the crispy sweet potato fries to a clean plate and sprinkle with additional salt, as needed. Repeat with the remaining sweet potatoes until they have all been cooked.
- Serve with ketchup and/or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Jessica’s Notes
- To keep the cooked sweet potato fries warm between batches, transfer them to a lined baking sheet and place them in a preheated 200°F oven.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftover air fryer sweet potato fries in a preheated 360°F air fryer until warm and crispy, about 2 minutes or so.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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