Our recipe for air-fryer sweet potato fries will get you spiced, savory fries on the table in under half an hour. And thanks to the handy design of the air fryer, there’s little to no cleanup.
For many of us, sweet potato fries are a frozen-food aisle necessity. They’re easy to keep in the freezer and don’t take long to bake in the oven. But are they actually tastier than fresh fries? If you’re reading this, I think you already know the answer.
Air Fryer vs. Oven
In many respects, the difference between air frying and baking is negligible, but there are some subtle differences worth pointing out.
Ovens create heat using a gas or electric element. To achieve crispiness in your oven-baked foods, you need to add additional oil to the ingredients before they hit the oven.
Air fryers, on the other hand, use rapid air technology to create heat, letting them heat up much quicker than ovens. The small size of air fryers allows this heat to circulate in a more centralized way. Air-fried foods will come out extra crispy with little to no oil, and without any cold spots.
Ingredients for Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet potatoes: Many types of sweet potatoes are categorized by color, the most common being orange, white and purple. As you might know, the one you see most often in the grocery store is the Beauregard, the orange one. These are soft and sweet, and they hold their shape. In other words, they’re perfect for fries.
- Canola oil: Canola oil and vegetable oil are similar plant-based oils, but canola oil is often preferred because it’s lower in saturated fat than vegetable oil. However, if you only have vegetable oil on hand, the two are interchangeable in most recipes.
- Spices: Garlic powder, paprika, salt and cayenne pepper add a savory heat to the naturally sweet fries—a wonderful balance of flavors.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for five or six minutes. While it preheats, you can gather all your ingredients together.
Step 2: Toss together the ingredients
Place the sweet potato strips, canola oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and cayenne in a large bowl; toss to evenly coat. You can scale the amount of cayenne up or down according to your heat preference.
Step 3: Place on a greased tray
Arrange the fries in an even layer on a greased tray in the air-fryer basket.
Editor’s Tip: Most air fryers have nonstick trays, but greasing the tray ensures that nothing will stick.
Step 4: Cook the fries
Cook until the sweet potato fries are lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once halfway through cook time. Serve immediately.
Recipe Variations
- Use different potatoes: Our air-fryer sweet potato fries can easily be made using regular potatoes. This is a great choice if you’re a lover of salt, as they won’t have the sweet element! Or, experiment with different sweet potato cultivars for a multicolored, multi-flavored fry experience.
- Make them cheesy-herby: Sprinkle your air-fried sweet potato fries with Italian seasoning and freshly grated Parmesan.
- Go all in on sweet: Replace the spice mixture here with cinnamon and brown sugar for a wonderful sugar-and-spice creation.
How to Store Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air-fryer sweet potato fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Tips
Are fries healthy when cooked in an air fryer?
Fries cooked in an air fryer tend to be healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. Instead of using several quarts of oil in a traditional deep fryer, you can use just a small amount, or none at all, in an air fryer. And you’ll still achieve beautifully crispy fries. For more tips and tricks, see our ultimate air-fryer guide.
How do you make these sweet potato fries if you don’t have an air fryer?
If you don’t have an air fryer, our recipe for baked sweet potato fries should still hit the spot for you.
What goes well with sweet potato fries?
Burgers, lemon-batter fish, homemade chicken tenders, and hot sandwiches are some pub favorites that all go well with sweet potato fries. If you want a lighter meal, pair our air-fryer sweet potato fries with grilled chicken recipes, seafood recipes, or sheet-pan supper recipes.
How do you reheat sweet potato fries?
You can reheat sweet potato fries in either your air fryer or an oven. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400° for three to five minutes. In an oven, cook them at 425° for 10 to 15 minutes.
Can you use frozen sweet potato fries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen sweet potato fries in this recipe! Follow the main recipe above, and tack on about five minutes extra cook time, or as needed until the fries are nice and hot.
