These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are ultra crispy, yet fluffy, and perfectly seasoned. They’re also quick and easy to make, vegan, and gluten free!
Ingredients
What makes these fries special? The soaking solution! This results in extra crispy fries.
- Granulated Sugar and Water – soaking the potatoes in sugar water helps remove excess starch and prevents the potatoes from soaking up too much grease. Both of these things result in extra crispy fries!
- Sweet Potatoes – peeled and sliced into 1/4 – 1/2 inch strips. Sweet potatoes are great for fries, because they’re starchy with very little moisture. This makes for a fry that is fluffy in the middle and crispy on the outside.
- Cornstarch – coats the potatoes to soak up any excess moisture which really helps the fries get extra crispy. Bonus: using cornstarch keeps these fries gluten free!
- Seasoning Blend: Salt, Paprika, Pepper, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder – a simple seasoning blend that packs a flavor punch! Salt enhances the flavor of the sweet potatoes and other spices, paprika provides sweetness, pepper adds a hint of spice, onion powder provides a bit of sharp sweetness, and garlic powder adds a subtle nuttiness. Feel free to play around with the seasonings!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – these fries are air-fried but a bit of oil allows them to get extra crispy and prevents them from sticking to the air fryer! Avocado oil or another neutral flavored oil like canola oil may also be used if you’re not a fan of EVOO. We’re air frying at 375 degrees F so whatever oil you use be sure it has a smoke point of at least that.
- Dipping Sauce of Choice – be sure to check out all our dipping sauces!
How to make
After a quick soak, the potatoes are dried, seasoned, then air fried to crispy perfection!
- Dissolve sugar in warm water in a bowl then soak sliced potatoes for 30 minutes.
- Whisk together cornstarch, salt, paprika, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Set aside.
- Remove potatoes from water, dry thoroughly on paper towels, place into a gallon sized baggie, drizzle with oil, then seal and shake.
- Sprinkle in spice mixture and again, seal, then shake until the potatoes are fully coated.
- Air fry in a preheated 375 degrees F air fryer for 10-15 minutes or until cooked to your liking, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
How to bake
No air fryer? No problem! Simply bake instead.
- Preheat oven to 375ºF and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the fries as directed, but instead of air-frying, spread the fries in a single layer onto prepared baking sheet, then bake for 20 minutes.
- Leaving the fries in the oven, turn the oven up to 425ºF and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the fries are golden-brown and crisped to your liking.
Do you need to soak sweet potatoes?
You don’t have to, but you should. Soaking sweet potatoes in a solution made up of water and granulated sugar results in fries that are much crispier on the outside. The water removes starch from the outsides of the potatoes which makes them more rigid and less likely to stick together. The sugar prevents the fries from soaking up too much oil.
How long does it take to cook frozen sweet potatoes in an air fryer?
Depending on the size and amount of fries, frozen sweet potato fries will cook in a preheated 400 degree F air fryer for 15-25 minutes. See my post on Air Fryer Frozen French Fries for more information.
Today’s recipe uses fresh sweet potatoes. Potatoes that have been peeled and sliced into 1/4 – 1/2 inch strips will cook in a preheated 375 degree F air fryer for 10-15 minutes. Cook time will vary depending on how thinly you slice your potatoes.
Why are my sweet potato fries soggy?
If made as directed, your sweet potato fries should be fluffy in the middle with crispy exteriors. If your fries are soggy, here’s why may have happened.
- The potatoes weren’t soaked. If you’re looking for crispy potatoes, don’t forget to soak them in the sugar water solution for 30 minutes.
- The potatoes weren’t dry. After the potatoes are soaked they must be thoroughly dried to remove the excess moisture.
- The cornstarch was forgotten. Cornstarch is key to crispy fries, because it soaks up extra moisture.
- Too much oil was used. Check your measurements! Too much oil will create greasy fries.
- The air fryer was too crowded. You want the heat to be able to reach every part of the fry, so they should be spread out in an even layer in the air fryer. If you stack the fries, they won’t cook evenly, and won’t be as crispy.
What to serve with air fryer sweet potato fries
Sweet potato fries should be served with a dipping sauce of choice, a salad or additional veggie side, and your favorite main dish!
- Sauces: chick-fil-a sauce, fry sauce, honey mustard, chipotle ranch dressing, etc.
- Salads and Sides: pear, blue cheese, candied pecan salad, air fryer broccoli, roasted cauliflower, etc.
- Main Dishes: turkey sliders, cream cheese chicken, smash burgers, ham and cheese croissants, air fryer salmon, etc.
How to store
Fries are best served right away, but will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheat in the air fryer or oven to warm and re-crisp.
– Jennifer
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- Warm water enough to cover the fries
- 1 ½ pounds sweet potatoes peeled and sliced into 1/4 - 1/2 inch strips
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Dissolve the sugar in the warm water in a medium sized bowl.
- Submerge sliced potatoes and soak for 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch, salt, paprika, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Set aside.
- Remove potatoes from water, and dry thoroughly on paper towels.
- Place dried potatoes into a gallon sized baggie.
- Drizzle in olive oil.
- Seal the baggie and shake until the potatoes are fully coated in the oil.
- Sprinkle in spice mixture and again, seal, then shake until the potatoes are fully coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Working in batches air fry for 10-15 minutes.*
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
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Stephanie
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy