Air fryers make it possible to create so many different, delicious dishes without an excess of oil. These sweet potato fries are no exception. Air fryer sweet potato fries are 100 percent crispy, flavorful, and low in fat. This method works so much better than baking to achieve crispy, crunchy results with a nice creamy center. Cornstarch is added to the seasonings the potatoes are tossed with, which helps the fries crisp perfectly without deep-frying. Storing them in the fridge overnight after cutting them helps to dry them, out, too, but this recipe will still work without that step. Just be sure to pat them dry of as much moisture as possible moisture.
This is a great small-batch recipe and makes enough for two to four people. If you are looking for a larger quantity, you can easily double the recipe. If you happen to have any left over, these fries also reheat extremely well. If you like to batch cook, you can freeze them and then air fry again when you are ready to eat.
Serve these fries with your favorite sandwich, burger, or even a steak.
Ingredients
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2 medium sweet potatoes
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Scrub and peel sweet potatoes.
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Cut sweet potatoes into evenly sized matchsticks. Make sure they are square on all six sides so they cook evenly, and cut them to a similar in length. Place sticks in refrigerator overnight to dry them out. Or if you’re looking to make them faster, just dry off as much of the moisture as possible.
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Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large bowl until sweet potatoes are completely coated.
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Heat air fryer to 400 F for 8 minutes. Add sweet potato fries to preheated air fryer basket in one even layer. Do not overlap fries or they will not crisp properly.
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Cook at 400 F for 8 to 10 minutes. Check after 8 minutes to see if they need to be cooked for longer. (Every air fryer is slightly different). Remove from air fryer and sprinkle with more salt, if needed. Keep warm in a 200 F oven while you prepare the next batch, or eat them right away. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces, such as an aioli with garlic or pesto.
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How do you freeze sweet potato fries?
Place the air fried and cooled fries on a sheet pan and place in the freezer. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours or until frozen solid. Then place them in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
You can pop them right back in the air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes at 400 F to re-crisp them.
Variations
Smoked paprika tastes delicious on these fries, but you can substitute it with regular sweet paprika or hot paprika. You can add any other spices that suit your taste such as Old Bay seasoning. Or just use salt and pepper.