Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (2024)

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Air fryer sweet potato fries are crazy delicious and super simple to make.

Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (1)

I got a new air fryer this week (Amazon affiliate), and I needed to take it for a test run. What better to make than some delicious sweet potato fries?! Heck yeah!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. See my full affiliate disclosure policy here.

Y’all are already diggin’ my regular air fryer French fries recipe.😎👌🏻 So I thought I’d share this sweet potato version.

Side note: If you don’t have an air fryer, check out my oven baked sweet potato fries recipe.

How to make air fryer sweet potato fries

You are going to want to start with one large sweet potato. Mine was sixteen ounces, weighed on a food scale. Food scales are so handy! If you don’t have one, I would recommend getting one. They are affordable and so worth it!

You can peel it if you want, and I sometimes do. But I did not peel this one. I tend to not peel when my potatoes are organic.

Next, it’s time to cut your fries!

How to cut sweet potato fries

I slice up my sweet potato with a good sharp knife into fry pieces. I do this by cutting off the skinny ends, and then cutting the sweet potato in half, right through the thickest part of the potato in the middle.

Next, I sit one half up on the flat side, and I start cutting slices. I did four slices in this case. This can vary, based on the width of your potato.

Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (2)

Try to keep these around the same size. You can go thinner or fatter than I did, but just keep it semi-consistent. You gotta commit to your fry size, people. 😆🙃

Mine are about pinkie finger sized, between 1/4 in and 1/2 inch.

Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (3)

Seasoning

I place my fry slices into a bowl, and I sprinkle them with salt, pepper and paprika. This is my go-to for sweet potatoes. Simple, flavorful and delicious!

Next, I add some oil on top. What kind of oil is best for air fryer sweet potato fries? I prefer avocado oil, since it has a high smoke point and is mild in flavor.

Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (4)

You could use any oil here. Or you could even use a cooking spray. If you use spray, I suggest spraying before you sprinkle the seasonings on.

Then just use a spoon, or even your hands, to just give everything a good toss to evenly distribute the oil and spices.

Some people even make oil free fries. Feel free to try that, but my family prefers a little oil. So that’s how we make them.

Air frying

My new air fryer strongly recommends preheating first in the user manual. So I did that! I preheated to 380 degrees. I mixed everything up in the bowl, as described above, while the air fryer was preheating.

When it beeped to let me know it was up to temperature, I opened it up and removed the air fryer basket.

I sat it on a heat safe surface and carefully poured my seasoned fries into the air fryer basket. I gave it a little shake to make sure the fries were spread out and returned the basket to the air fryer.

I cooked them until they got crispy on the outside. I did shake the basket about half-way through, and then once again close to the end.

Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (5)

Tips for making the BEST air fryer sweet potato fries

Tip 1

You definitely want to be careful not to burn the fries. I love how easy it is to keep an eye on things with an air fryer.

It is also just as easy to put the tray back in and cook a little longer. So use your common sense and sound judgement, and cook those fries to your liking.

Tip 2

Don’t overcrowd the fryer basket. This recipe makes 2 servings, and this should work for most air fryers without issue.

If you want to make more, though, you’ll need to cook these in batches. When everything is cooked, you can dump everything back in the sir fryer basket for another minute or so to re-heat, just prior to serving.

It doesn’t have to be a complete single layer. A few fries can be on top of each other. Just make sure to give the basket a toss occasionally.

Tip 3

Commit to your preferred fry size, and cut everything close to the same size. If you vary from this recipe, you may need to adjust cook time. E.g., skinnier fries need to cook less time, thicker fries need more time.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make these oil free?

Yes! It changes the texture a little bit, but they are still very tasty, and I have done it many times. The seasoning may also tend to fall off a little more without oil.

Another alternative is to use an oil sprayer to reduce the amount of oil.

There are many reasons some may need to reduce or eliminate oil. And sometimes, in more practical terms, we run out of things! Either way, these will still be good without oil.

Do you have to soak sweet potatoes in water before air frying?

No, soaking is not a necessary step.

Why are my sweet potato fries soggy in the air fryer?

Soggy sweet potato fries indicate undercooking. If a batch has come out soggy, here is how you can fix it. Cook longer to crisp up. And secondly, try cutting smaller/ thinner fries in your next batch. This will facilitate faster cooking and get your crispy fries.

What temperature and time for air fryer sweet potato fries?

I did these at 380 until crispy, which was about 20 minutes. Fry size and slight air fryer variations could make your optimal cook time slightly different, so keep an eye on things, use common sense and adjust accordingly.

Did you try this recipe? Give it a star rating. Pin it and share it if it looks good to you. And be sure and stay connected on social media!

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Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (6)

4.25 from 24 votes

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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Air fryer sweet potato fries are a crazy delicious side dish and are super simple to make.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer sweet potato fries

Prep Time 4 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 24 minutes

Servings 2 servings

Calories 236 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces sweet potato (I used one large, weighed on my food scale. Between 14 – 16 ounces works)
  • 1/2 teaspoon course sea salt (or more, to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil (or oil of choice)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees.

  2. Slice up your sweet potato into pinkie finger sized sticks (mine are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch). I don’t measure, and they don’t have to be perfect, but try to keep the size fairly consistent.

  3. Place the potato slices in a mixing bowl, along with the oil, salt, pepper and paprika, and toss to coat.

  4. Transfer fry mixture to the air fryer, and cook until tender and crispy (about 20 minutes). Shake the basket a few times to rearrange the fries, and use a flipper to flip them. Use your own judgement, cooking longer or shorter, if needed, keeping an eye on the fries to make sure they don’t burn.

  5. Taste test, and add more salt if needed.

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Amount Per Serving

Calories 236 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 706mg31%

Potassium 764mg22%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 10g11%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 32299IU646%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 68mg7%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my sweet potato fries not crispy in the air fryer? ›

For best results, don't overcrowd them or your fries will not get crispy. The amount of fries per batch will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook for 15-18 minutes or until fries are cooked through, crispy, and golden brown, giving the air fryer basket a little shake halfway through cook time.

Do you have to soak sweet potatoes before air frying? ›

Skip the Soaking.

I've found this step didn't make enough of a difference to be worth the effort. (Save soaking for Baked French Fries and Air Fryer Potato Wedges; regular potatoes have more starch than sweet potatoes, so soaking does make an important difference!)

Why won't my sweet potato fries get crispy? ›

The secret to crispy (instead of soggy) sweet potato fries is to spread them out in an even layer with enough room so that they don't touch. This is especially important if you're making a big batch of fries. Instead of just piling more onto one baking pan, spread them out over two baking pans or cook them in batches.

Why do my sweet potato fries turn out soggy in the air fryer? ›

If you overcrowd the air fryer basket, the fries won't cook evenly and turn out slightly soggy in parts. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the potatoes to make them super crispy.

What makes sweet potato fries better? ›

Sweet potato fries are slightly higher in calories and carbs but also more nutrient dense than French fries. The greatest nutrient difference is that French fries have no vitamin A, while sweet potato fries are high in this nutrient. Vitamin A is important for your vision and immune system ( 2 ).

How do you crisp fries in an air fryer? ›

Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees, then place your leftover fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Heat them for three to five minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness.

Why do sweet potatoes turn black in air fryer? ›

Make sure to air-fry potatoes in batches in an even layer so they have the chance to brown (and crisp up) evenly while cooking. Why do my air fryer sweet potato fries turn black? Sweet potatoes contain a higher concentration of sugar than standard potatoes, and caramelize as they cook in the air fryer.

What happens if you don t soak potatoes before air frying? ›

I wouldn't bother doing potatoes from the raw state, without soaking. It will take about a half an hour and the texture won't be nearly as rewarding. They just don't get very crispy without that cold soak.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes for fries? ›

A: The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Can you eat raw sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet-tasting tuberous roots of sweet potato are well-rounded nutritional powerhouses with a great deal of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants [15]. Therefore, eating raw sweet potato can effectively contribute to weight loss. However, selecting a raw sweet potato with a good flavor can be challenging.

Why are my air fryer fries not crispy enough? ›

If your fries are not crispy, air fry them a little longer. Once all batches are finished, toss them all back into the air fryer (no need to place in a single layer this time) for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any that got cold from the first few batches.

Can you eat sweet potato skin? ›

You can eat sweet potato skin. It's a good source of fiber, a nutrient that may help lower the risk of heart disease and keep you feeling full for longer periods of time. The next time you make a sweet potato dish, whether it's a roasted side dish or a hearty, cozy casserole, leave the peel on.

Why are things not getting crispy in air fryer? ›

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

Why are my sweet potato fries so soft? ›

Ensure that the fries are evenly spaced out on a parchment-lined baking sheet so that they aren't touching. If the fries are touching, they will steam rather than bake, which leads to soggy, sad fries. The parchment paper prevents the fries from sticking to the sheet.

How do you fix soggy fries in an air fryer? ›

Yes, thanks to the air fryer, you can enjoy restaurant-style fries at home in just a few short minutes! How do you make old fries crispy again? Reheat your fries in an air fryer or oven at a low temperature (350°F) for just a few minutes to crisp them back up.

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