Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy in the center in 20 minutes. Skip the freezer aisle and make them yourself!
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.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tips: Sweet potatoes can be cut up to 24 hours in advance. Store submerged in cold water in the refrigerator, then dry thoroughly before seasoning and frying.
Storage: Air-fried sweet potato fries are best served fresh. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating Tips: Reheat in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes. Fries will regain some crispiness, though not quite as fresh as the first batch.
Freezing Tips: I don’t recommend freezing cooked sweet potato fries. The texture becomes soggy when thawed.
Soaking: Some recipes call for soaking fries in water before cooking. I tested this and found it didn’t make a noticeable difference — so I skip it.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 216cal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 859mg | Sugar: 6g | Fiber: 5g | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg