Love vegetables in the air fryer? Try my air fryer cauliflower, air fryer smashed potatoes, air fryer brussels sprouts, and air fryer carrots next. As much as I love deep-fried and perfectly seasoned sweet potato fries, the convenience and healthier option of using an air fryer to make them has been a game-changer. My air fryer sweet potato fries are super crispy on the outside while still being super fluffy in the middle, and they cook up in a fraction of the time.
Why I love this recipe
Healthy and low fat. Traditional sweet potato fries are deep-fried and contain tons of saturated fat. By air frying the sweet potatoes, you only use a fraction of the oil. Quick and easy. Unlike oven-baked fries, this entire recipe takes less than 10 minutes to cook! Easy to customize. I purposely kept the seasonings to a minimum to let the natural sweet taste of the potatoes shine, but you can jazz them up any way you like!
Ingredients needed
Sweet potatoes. I like to start with the largest sweet potato I can find so I can easily slice them into matchsticks to form fries. Smaller ones, then, to be a little more limiting. Olive oil. As mentioned earlier, I like to add a tiny bit of oil to prevent the fries from burning and to maximize the crispiness. Spices. Just a simple mix of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
How to make sweet potato fries in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. “Just made these and they are SO crispy and fluffy. I can’t believe it doesn’t need a ton of oil” – Margo
Arman’s recipe tips
Always cook air fryer sweet potato fries in a single layer to allow enough air circulation to make the fries crispy. I know it’s annoying, but you may need to cook them in batches. Soak the fries in cold water for 30 minutes (if you have extra time on hand). This removes excess starch and gives the fries a fluffier middle while being crispy on the outside. Shake the air fryer basket several times during the cooking process so the fries cook evenly. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the potatoes to make them super crispy.
Storage instructions
To Store: Leftover sweet potato fries can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, for up to three days. If you’d like to make oven-baked sweet potato fries, simply prepare them as instructed. When ready to bake, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 180C/350F, flipping halfway through. To Freeze: Place leftover fries in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Reheating: Either in a preheated oven or in the air fryer.sweet potato fries air fryer.
More air fryer favorites
Air fryer chicken breast Air fryer chicken thighs Air fryer baked sweet potato Air fryer turkey breast Air fryer potato chips Air fryer home fries Or any of these air fryer recipes
Originally published May 2022, updated and republished July 2024
