Crispiest Sweet Potato Fries (Air Fryer Recipe)
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This Sweet Potato Fries Air Fryer recipe is as easy as can be! And it certainly makes the crispiest air fryer sweet potato fries out there!! Anyone can make them and everyone will love the results: sweet and salty, nice and crispy, and with a peppery finish that goes well with any main dish!
I love using my air fryer basket to make sweet potato fries! They’re so much better than deep frying, and the cooking time is a breeze!
I’ve whipped up these delicious sweet potato fries in a jiffy literally dozens of times, and this recipe makes the perfect side dish every time.
The air frying cooking process not only works for fries, but you can do this same option for sweet potato wedges and other sweet potato recipes.
This is my favorite way to cook sweet potato fries – and I think you’ll agree!
I also love to vary the seasoning mix that I add. Sometimes, it’s salt and black pepper, while other times, I’ll add a little bit of cayenne pepper for some heat.
(I love spicy baked sweet potato fries!) Every bite has a pop of sweetness that traditional fries just don’t have – and I’m here for it!
All you need are a few simple ingredients to get started. And after you make the first batch – you’ll be hooked and ready for more!
Follow the recipe card below for the perfect way to make these healthy sweet potato fries!
Table of Contents
Sweet Potato Fries Air Fryer
Did you ever think it would be so easy to make sweet potato fries from scratch? After all, they’re the ultimate side dish!
Just a bit of oil makes this air fryer sweet potato recipe about as healthy as fries can get. But you’d never guess it with the soft, sweet center and gloriously fried outside!
I’m starting to think there isn’t a single vegetable you can’t make in the air fryer. Brussels sprouts, zucchini, carrots, green beans…
I’d keep going but I’d run out of space to list them all!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Sweet Potatoes – Wash and scrub before slicing! Slice as evenly as you can to get crispy air fried sweet potato fries across the board.
Additionally, keep in mind that the fries will shrivel up a bit after they’ve cooked, so keep slices just a bit longer than you want your fries to be. - Olive Oil – As little as one tablespoon of oil will do. Usually, more oil equals more crispiness, but you can always get away with less oil working with air fryers!
- Sweet Paprika – Not spicy, just sweet! This fruity seasoning goes really well with sweet potatoes.
Chili or chipotle powder, though spicier, make great substitutes in a pinch. - Onion Powder – For once, I’m not going to recommend using the fresh alternative.
Powdered herbs and spices are generally best for fried recipes like this one. - Salt & Pepper – The classics! Season with salt before adding sweet potato fries to the air fryer, then season more to taste after they’ve been cooked.
I use sea salt and fresh cracked pepper whenever I make sweet potato fries in the air fryer!
Tips for Crispy Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
- Guarantee even results
You might need to cook a couple of batches, depending on the size of your air fryer, to make sure the fries don’t overlap.
Cooking food in a single layer is really important — the hot air needs to circulate all the way around!
Additionally, don’t forget to turn the fries halfway through and do your best to slice each fry evenly.
- To soak or not to soak?
If you’d like, you can soak the sweet potato slices for 30 minutes up to 2 hours before frying to remove excess starch.
Personally, though, going through this step didn’t make a real difference for my fries.
- Peels on or off — it’s up to you!
Some like skin on their fries and some do not. Either way works for this sweet potato fries air fryer recipe.
And the best practices remain the same: scrub, dry, and slice evenly for the best fries.
Storing and Reheating Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries
I’m not one to reheat fried foods — they’re never the same next day, are they? I will say that these leftover sweet potato fries are worth it, thought! Why not enjoy this great side dish again?!
But if you’d like to, you can air fry sweet potato fries at 375°F for 3 to 5 minutes until crispy again. Only reheat once, and try to do so on the same day of baking!
As always, I recommend storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maximize freshness.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries FAQ
I love the flavor of extra virgin olive oil the best, but you have plenty of options!
Avocado oil and peanut oil are two really popular options for making fries because of their flavor and smoke point.
Canola and grapeseed oil have a neutral taste that won’t really affect the flavor of your potatoes. You can even use an olive oil cooking spray to add just a little oil to this healthy snack.
So just think about the flavor you’re going for and work from there!
The short answer is that it takes 15 to 20 minutes to make 1/4″ sweet potato fries in the air fryer.
But, ultimately, the real answer is that it depends on your air fryer! Each one is a bit different.
Preheat the fryer and start at 15 minutes, not 20, just to be safe. After all, you can always air fry sweet potato fries more but you can’t cook them less!
A couple of reasons! It could be that the temperature of your fryer was too low, that you used too much oil, or that you crammed too many fries into one batch.
Preheating before adding sweet potato fries to the air fryer also guarantees the crispiest results.
Dip these tasty sweet potato fries in your favorite sauce! Once they’re golden brown, they’re good to go! And to be honest, they’re sweet enough, you can just eat them like they are!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Air Fryer Recipes
Crispiest Sweet Potato Fries (Air Fryer Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed well (peel optional)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, use more if needed, see notes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat a 5.8-quart (or larger) air fryer to 375°F for even cooking. If your basket is smaller, plan to cook the fries in batches so they crisp instead of steam.
- Cut the Potatoes: Wash and scrub sweet potatoes. Cut into 1/4-inch planks, then slice into 1/4-inch fries for uniform cooking.
- Season the Fries: Place fries in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Add 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (enough to lightly coat) plus onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Air Fry in Batches: Arrange fries in a single layer with space between each. Cook in batches if needed (a 5.8 qt basket fits about half the fries at once). Fry for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Overcrowding will steam the fries instead of crisping them.
- Check Doneness: Fries should be crispy outside and fluffy inside. Cook 1–2 minutes longer if needed, but keep an eye on thinner ends as they can char quickly.
- Season and Serve: Sprinkle with additional salt immediately after cooking so it clings. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2022, updated and republished December 2024
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
This recipe makes me feel like im being healthy! I love it, and it’s so easy to make
VERY good. I’m a beginner and my first try at this was successful. Thanks for a tasty treat!
Hi Terry!
So glad that you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn