This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
The BEST Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are perfectly crispy and tender, thanks to my super easy, no-fail method. They’re ready in less than 30 minutes and make the dream side dish, great for pairing with everything from veggie burgers to “chicken” nuggets!
Wondering what the secret is to healthy, crisp-crunchy homemade sweet potato fries? The air fryer! Though I love oven-roasted sweet potato fries, it’s hard to create restaurant-style fries when baking. When I got my air fryer a few years ago, I quickly developed my go-to air fryer sweet potato fries recipe. I figured it’s about time I shared it with you (seriously, what took me so long?!), so I’m posting it today.
I’m confident that these fries will be worth the wait. They’re sizzling hot and crisp with tender, melt-in-your-mouth insides. Lightly seasoned with salt, you’ll never guess these fab fries are made with only 1 tablespoon of oil!
The key to the crispiest air fryer sweet potato fries is to soak them for 10 minutes to remove excess starch and to coat them in just a little cornstarch before frying. Cornstarch is optional- it gives the fries extra crispiness without much extra work- making it a step I always recommend taking.
For more air fryer sweet potato recipes, check out my Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato and Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes: Grab one pound of sweet potatoes, such as garnet or jewel, with smooth skin and a deep orange flesh. Trim off the ends and scrub them well before peeling and cutting.
Avocado Oil: I recommend this oil because it has a high smoke point and won’t burn at high heats. If necessary, you can swap coconut oil, but be careful about extra virgin olive oil because it can burn.
Cornstarch: This creates a light crust on the fries, making it one of my secrets to the crispiest homemade sweet potato fries air fryer! If needed, swap potato starch or arrowroot powder.
Kosher Salt: To balance and enhance the sweetness. If needed, you can also use sea salt or sprinkle the fries with flaky salt before serving.
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes. Peel the sweet potatoes, then slice them into ¼-inch thick pieces.
- Soak Potatoes. Place the sliced potatoes in a mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Soak the potatoes for 10 minutes.
- Preheat Air Fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes before adding the potatoes.
- Dry Potatoes. Remove the potatoes from the water and transfer them to a clean kitchen towel. Gently pat the potatoes with the towel until they are dry.
- Coat in Oil. Transfer the potatoes to a clean and dry mixing bowl. Drizzle them with oil. Use your hands or tongs to gently toss the sweet potatoes until coated.
- Add Cornstarch and Seasonings. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the potatoes. Use tongs to gently toss them in the cornstarch until covered. Add the salt and toss once more. If using optional spices, add them and toss until coated.
- Add to Air Fryer. Place the sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket or tray and spread them in an even layer, being careful not to crowd them. I find that some overlapping is acceptable. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in two batches.
- Air Fry. Air fry for 10 minutes or until the sweet potato fries are crispy and golden brown yet tender on the inside. Check after 10 minutes, then add up to 2 more minutes for more crispiness if needed. Cool for a couple of minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Jenné’s Recipe Pro-Tips
- Soak, soak, soak! If you don’t do anything else in this air fryer sweet potato fries recipe, soak the potatoes. Doing so removes excess starch from the potatoes, making them extra crispy. Soak them in cool water for 10 minutes. To save time, preheat the air fryer during the last 5 minutes of soaking.
- Don’t skip preheating. Steadily exposing the fries to a consistently high heat helps them to cook evenly and prevents them from getting soggy.
- Cook in multiple batches. If your air fryer basket or tray can’t accommodate the fries without crowding, cook them in two batches.
- Flip or shake. Ensure evenly crisp air fry sweet potato fries by gently shaking or turning them once or twice throughout the cooking time if some fries appear to be cooking or browning faster than others.
Seasoning Variations
For classic sweet potato fries in the air fryer, season simply with salt. For a flavor twist or to suit the rest of your meal, and 1/2-1 teaspoon of any of the following seasonings with the cornstarch.
- Za’atar: A savory and herby Mediterranean spice blend.
- Creole Seasoning: My go-to savory, smoky, and lightly spicy Soul Food seasoning.
- Italian Seasoning: This herbal and garlicky blend balances the sweetness like a dream!
- Pantry Staple Spices: Garlic powder, cinnamon, chili powder, smoked paprika, or cumin add big flavor and dimension without an additional trip to the grocery store.
Serving Suggestions & Dips
Cool the crispy air fryer sweet potato fries just a few minutes before enjoying them as a versatile side dish with your favorite meals (such as Mushroom Veggie Sliders or Chickpea Tuna Salad), with any of the following dips to pass:
- Ranch
- Garlic Aioli
- Sriracha
- Avocado Dressing
- BBQ Sauce
- Caesar Dressing
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Once cooled to room temperature, the air fried sweet potato fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm the fries in an air fryer preheated to 350°F for 2-5 minutes or until hot and lightly crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once soaked and patted dry, cook them in an air fryer preheated to 400°F for 12 minutes.
Of course! Just increase the ingredients by your desired amount, following the recipe directions, and air frying the fries in multiple batches if needed to prevent them from overcrowding in the air fryer basket or tray.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
- Sweet Potato Soup
- Red Lentil Curry with Sweet Potatoes
- Vegan Sweet Potato Biscuits
- Chili Lime Glazed Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprout Gratin
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Video
Equipment
- air fryer ,we like this one
Ingredients
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- 1 lb sweet potatoes
- 1 tbsp avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Optional Seasonings
- ½-1 teaspoon seasoning of choice, smoked paprika, cinnamon, Za’atar, Creole seasoning, Jerk, Italian seasoning, or your other favorite spice blend.
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes, then slice them thinly. About ¼-inch thick.
- Place the sliced potatoes in a mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Soak the potatoes for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes before adding the potatoes.
- Remove the potatoes from the water and transfer them to a clean kitchen towel. Gently pat the potatoes with the towel until they are dry.
- Transfer the potatoes to a clean and dry mixing bowl. Drizzle them with oil. Use your hands or tongs to gently toss the sweet potatoes until coated.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch over the potatoes. Use tongs to gently toss them in the cornstarch until covered. Add the salt and toss once more. If using optional spices, add them and toss until coated.
- Place the sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket or tray and spread them in an even layer, being careful not to overlap or crowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in two batches.
- Air fry for 10 minutes or until the sweet potato fries are crispy and golden brown yet tender on the inside. Check after 10 minutes, then add up to 2 more minutes for more crispiness if needed. *Note: If you don't want any browning on the sweet potato fries, air fry them for 10 minutes instead of 12 minutes.
- Cool for a couple of minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
- If you liked this recipe, please take a moment to rate it. Thank you!
Notes
- Refrigeration: Once cooled to room temperature, the air fried sweet potato fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm the fries in an air fryer preheated to 350°F for 2-5 minutes or until hot and lightly crisp.
-
- Soak, soak, soak! If you don’t do anything else in this air fryer sweet potato fry recipe, soak the potatoes before air frying. Doing so removes excess starch from the potatoes, making them extra crispy. Soak them in cool water for 10 minutes. And be sure to dry them thoroughly before tossing in oil and cornstarch
-
- Don’t skip preheating. Steadily exposing the fries to a consistently high heat helps them to cook evenly and prevents them from getting soggy.
-
- Cook in multiple batches. If your air fryer basket or tray can’t accommodate the fries without crowding, cook them in two batches.
-
- Flip or shake. Ensure evenly crisp air fry sweet potato fries by gently shaking or turning them once or twice throughout the cooking time if some fries appear to be cooking or browning faster than others.
