Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
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These air fryer sweet potato fries are perfectly crispy and fluffy and take just 10 minutes to cook. They are a healthy way to enjoy fries with a fraction of the fat!
I make air fryer sweet potato fries all the time, because these give me that same crisp, takeout-style texture without the hassle- or let’s be honest, the mess- of deep frying. The air fryer consistently makes them perfectly golden on the outside and fluffy in the middle.
I was actually inspired to test out the humble sweet potato after having success with traditional air fryer French fries. It wasn’t an equal swap, though, so it took some testing using different shapes (thick wedges versus thin shoestrings) until I landed on this version (spoiler: shoestring won by a mile). It’s become our go-to side for anything: Air fryer burgers, grilled chicken, or even my partner’s morning eggs. Seriously. I don’t mind- they’re completely hands-off once in the basket!
Table of Contents
Recipe features
- Healthy and low-fat. Traditional sweet potato fries are deep-fried and contain tons of saturated fat. By air frying the sweet potatoes, you only use a fraction of the oil.
- Quick and easy. Unlike oven-baked fries, this entire recipe takes less than 10 minutes to cook!
- Easy to customize. I purposely kept the seasonings to a minimum to let the natural sweet taste of the potatoes shine, but you can jazz them up any way you like!
What readers are saying
★★★★★ – “Just made these and they are SO crispy and fluffy. I can’t believe it doesn’t need a ton of oil.“ – Margo
Key Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients that go into my air-fried sweet potato fries. The complete list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
- Sweet potatoes. I like to start with the largest sweet potato I can find so I can easily slice it into matchsticks to form fries.
- Olive oil. As mentioned earlier, I like to add a tiny bit of oil to prevent the fries from burning and to maximize the crispiness.
- Spices. Just a simple mix of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
How to make sweet potato fries in the air fryer
Step 1- Season. Peel potatoes, pat them dry, and slice them into fries. Season with olive oil and seasonings.
Step 2- Air fry. Add the sweet potato fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket several times.
No air fryer? No problem!
If you’d like to make oven-baked sweet potato fries, simply prepare them as instructed. When ready to bake, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F, flipping halfway through.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Thickness matters. I tested slicing the fries in every way possible (even waffle- I have a waffle potato cutter), and shoestring (scant 1/8 inch slices) produced the very best results and shortest cooking time.
- Always cook air fryer sweet potato fries in a single layer to allow enough air circulation to make the fries crispy. I know it’s annoying, but you may need to cook them in batches.
- Soak the fries in cold water for 30 minutes. This is entirely optional, but from what I learned in culinary school, soaking them can remove excess starch and give the fries a fluffier middle while being crispy on the outside. I rarely soak them, but when I do, I notice a tiny difference.
- Shake the air fryer basket several times during the cooking process so the fries cook evenly. I find 2-3 times is sufficient.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can (although my homemade version is super simple!!). Increase the cooking time by 5 minutes and shake the air fryer basket several times throughout the cooking process.
If you stack the fries on top of one another or if you overcrowd the air fryer basket, you risk the fries turning out soggy.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Video
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes washed and sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Pat them dry then slice them into fries.
- In a mixing bowl, add the potatoes and toss through the oil. Add the salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and rub over the fries.
- Place the sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket. Air fry the potatoes at 200C/400F for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and serve with dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
More air fryer sides
- Air fryer baked sweet potato
- Air fryer cauliflower
- Air fryer smashed potatoes
- Air fryer brussels sprouts
- Air fryer carrots
- Air fryer potato chips
- Air fryer home fries
Originally published May 2022
Absolutely love making these! Super delicious and easy to make. I like putting Onion seasoning on mine. Best healthy snack!
Excellent!
Excellent recipe. My wife doesn’t really like sweet potato fries but its my favorite. However we both loved this recipe!
Which sweet potato you reccomend here? Colour?
My favourite side dish is sweet potato. I tried this recipe and it was awesome!
The video doesn’t match the recipe in the article?
I love your recipes and have made several of them. However I don’t have an air fryer. How do I make this in the oven?
How long to cook when cut in chips?
Love the recipes