Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato (Printable)

Golden sweet potato fries made crispy and flavorful with smoked paprika and garlic powder.

# What goes in:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes (approximately 1 lb), peeled

→ Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for enhanced crispiness)
04 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Cut peeled sweet potatoes into ¼-inch thick fries.
02 - Soak fries in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
03 - In a large bowl, toss fries with olive oil. Optionally, sprinkle with cornstarch and toss until evenly coated. Add sea salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, tossing again to distribute seasoning evenly.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
05 - Place fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 16 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking until fries are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
07 - Optionally sprinkle with additional salt and serve immediately with preferred dipping sauces.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like a guilty pleasure but are actually packed with nutrients and naturally sweet.
  • The whole thing takes less than half an hour, which means weeknight dinners suddenly feel less stressful.
  • You get that satisfying crunch without deep frying, so your kitchen doesn't smell like a fryer for three days.
  • They're naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so you can serve them without worrying about what your guests can eat.
02 -
  • Overcrowding the basket is the number one reason they turn out soggy or unevenly cooked; resist the urge to make everything at once.
  • The soaking step sounds like a hassle, but skipping it means starchy, limp fries every single time—I learned this the hard way.
  • Your air fryer probably cooks a little hotter or cooler than others, so the first batch might need a minute or two adjustment; watch and adjust from there.
03 -
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F to restore crispiness; microwaving will make them sad and limp.
  • Sweet potatoes have natural sugars that brown quickly, so if your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 14 minutes instead of waiting the full 18.

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