Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Are the Crispy Everyday Snack You’ve Been Craving
Pull up this air fryer sweet potato fries recipe any time you need an easy, nourishing snack.
Sometimes you’re craving a snack that’s a little salty and a little sweet. Bonus if it’s something healthy (yes, potatoes can be healthy!) and easy to whip up with just a few ingredients. Enter: these seriously delicious, garlicky air fryer sweet potato fries. They’re perfect on their own, or as a side to a black bean veggie burger or a steak seared perfectly in your favorite cast iron skillet. They come together with minimal prep before they get coated in a punchy, herby mixture and served with a zingy aioli. Bon appetit!
Ingredients for Sweet Potato Fries
Instructions
STEP 1: Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Cut the ends off of each of your peeled sweet potatoes. Next, cut them in half crosswise. Then halve them again lengthwise (to do this safely, first cut a flat side on one side of the potato so you can use a flat side to safely cut the smaller half in half — see video for demo). You’ll end up with 2–3 planks of sweet potato from each quarter of the potato.
Next, stack the planks on top of one another so they’re flush. Cut them into a fry shape, sticks about ¼”–½” wide and about 3” long. Keep in mind, the thicker the potato sticks, the longer they will take to cook. You could also sub sweet potatoes with another type of potato, just make sure to account for the different size of your fries when considering the time in the air fryer.
Once cut, soak your fries for 30 minutes to remove any starch. If you want to know how to make sweet potato fries in the air fryer that deliver that ideal, addictive texture, this step is key.
STEP 2: Make the Garlic Herb Mixture
Meanwhile, make the garlic herb mixture. Finely chop the garlic to create a mellow garlic flavor. First, smash it with the flat side of your knife to remove the papery skin. Sprinkle it with a pinch or two of sea salt (it helps it pull away from the knife) and chop away. Roughly chop the fresh herbs — don’t overdo it, I still like a little fluff in my herbs.
Combine the herbs with EVOO in a small pot on the stove over medium-low heat. Bring to a slight simmer. Once you smell the garlic, turn off the heat.
STEP 3: Drain the Potatoes and Finish Prepping
After soaking for 30 minutes, drain the potatoes. Then dry them thoroughly in a tea towel. Get them as dry as you can for fries that are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
If your air fryer needs preheating, start now and preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Next, toss the sweet potatoes in one to two tablespoons of cornstarch. If you have a sieve on hand, use it to evenly sprinkle the cornstarch across the potatoes. Then toss them in a generous amount of olive oil and sea salt to taste.
STEP 4: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on how big your air fryer is, you may need to stack them high so air can circulate around them — or better yet, cook them in batches. Cook for 10–12 minutes until you’re just starting to see them puff and slightly brown.
Note:How long to cook your sweet potatoes in the air fryer may vary. Every air fryer is a little different, so you may need to start checking your fries earlier depending on your model and how thick or thin your fries are cut. If you have a convection function on your oven, this sweet potato fries recipe can also be created with your oven rather than an air fryer (which is just a small version of your convection oven).
While the fries are cooking, it’s a good time to make the aioli — reference the recipe below.
At around 10–12 minutes, check your sweet potato fries in the air fryer. If your potatoes are thin, check them earlier at like 8 minutes. If they are starting to brown when you check them, gently toss or flip your potatoes.
Cook for another 5 minutes. Toss again. Then cook for yet another 5 minutes. Once they’re almost done and brown, pull out and gently toss with the garlic herb mixture, and more sea salt to taste (if needed). Then put them back in the oven and cook for another 3–5 minutes. Once browned and done, taste for seasoning. Serve your air fryer sweet potato fries immediately!
Ingredients for Aioli
STEP 4: Make the Aioli
In a small food processor, combine the egg yolk, garlic, a couple of pinches of salt and water (water helps with the emulsification). Once combined, slowly drizzle in the olive oil in a slow and steady stream (1 teaspoon at a time) until the sauce is thick and emulsified. Drizzle in the lemon juice with the machine running until combined. Stir in cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to taste.
Once finished, assess the texture. If your emulsification is too thick, add more lemon juice to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add more olive oil to help thicken the sauce.
Why are my sweet potato fries coming out soggy and not crispy?
If you’ve followed the recipe but aren’t achieving the desired crispiness with your sweet potato fries, it may be because you’ve overcrowded the air fryer basket. This ends up trapping steam instead of heat — try cooking them in batches so you’re able to fry them in a single layer. For extra crispiness, try tossing your fries with a bit of cornstarch before frying to absorb moisture.
Do I need to peel my sweet potatoes?
No, peeling is optional and you do not have to peel your sweet potatoes in order to make air fryer sweet potato fries. In fact, some people like the rustic texture and added fiber that you get from unpeeled sweet potatoes, although it’s all a matter of personal preference.
What are the best seasonings for sweet potato fries?
Sweet potato fries are great because they’re so versatile — they’re equally enhanced by savory flavors as they are by sweet. For a spicy kick, try a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. For a sweet treat, pair with cinnamon and brown sugar for a super caramelized effect. Or if you’re craving something herby, dried thyme and rosemary add a nice touch.
Are sweet potato fries healthier than regular potato fries?
It’s hard to say definitively that sweet potato fries are “healthier” than regular fries, as it depends on your health goals. If you’re comparing them to fast food French fries that have been deep fried in excessive amounts of oil, you’re much better off with your homemade air fryer sweet potato fries. But sweet potato fries may actually have similar calories or fat content as regular potato fries when prepared similarly. They’re also higher in vitamin A and fiber content, while regular fries are typically higher in iron, potassium, and vitamin C.
