How to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer for crispy, golden fries with little oil, plus easy frozen instructions.
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If you've been wondering how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer, this is the easiest way to get golden, delicious fries with simple ingredients and much less mess than deep frying. Using just sweet potatoes, a small amount of oil, sea salt and black pepper, you can make a healthy air fryer side that is crisp on the outside, tender in the middle and perfect with your favourite dipping sauce.
These crispy sweet potato fries are ideal when you want a perfect side dish for burgers, sandwiches, wraps or even a light main course with salad. They use less oil than deep frying, they are easy to make in batches, and the air fryer basket helps them cook evenly for the best results. This is one of those air fryer recipes that quickly becomes a first recipe people come back to again and again.
To truly master how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer, make sure to cut the fries uniformly for even cooking. This ensures each fry is perfectly crispy and golden.
Why you will love this recipe
Sweet potato fries in the air fryer are such a good option because they are quick, simple and made with everyday ingredients. The soaking step helps remove a little excess starch, which can improve the texture, and cooking the fries in a single layer helps them crisp up properly. It is also a brilliant method if you want homemade air fryer sweet potato fries without using lots of oil.
Ingredients
For the recipe you only need:
- sweet potatoes
- olive oil
- sea salt
- black pepper
For exact quantities see the recipe card below.
Ingredient notes
Sweet potatoes are easy to find in most supermarkets and are packed with fibre, beta-carotene and other nutrients, which makes them a great choice for a healthy air fryer side. A bit of olive oil helps the fries brown and crisp without needing the larger amount of oil used for deep frying. Sea salt and black pepper keep the flavour simple, but you can easily build on this base with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, fresh rosemary, or one of our homemade spice blends for even more flavour.
How to make sweet potato fries in the air fryer
Wondering how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer? Start by preheating your air fryer to ensure even cooking from the very beginning.
Prep the sweet potatoes
Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Cut them into fry-shaped batons, trying to keep them a similar thickness so the cooking time stays even.
Soak in cool water
Place the cut fries into a large bowl of cool water and leave them to soak for about 20 to 30 minutes. This helps remove some excess starch.
If you're serious about how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer, don't skip the soaking step; it's essential for achieving that desired crispiness.
Drain and dry
Drain the fries well. Pat them very dry with a paper towel or clean tea towel. This step is important for crispy air fryer fries.
Season
Return the fries to a dry bowl. Add the olive oil, sea salt and black pepper, then toss until evenly coated. You only need a small amount of oil.
Arrange in the air fryer
Place the fries into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed so they are not overcrowded.
Cook
Air fry at 200C for 12 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cook time. The exact cooking time will depend on how thick your fries are and your specific air fryer.
Serve
Once golden and lightly crisp around the edges, serve straight away for the best texture.
📖 Recipe
How To Cook Sweet Potato Fries In Air Fryer (& from frozen)
- Total Time: 58 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
How to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer for crispy, golden fries with little oil, plus easy frozen instructions.
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into fries.
- Soak the fries in cool water for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Drain and pat completely dry with paper towel.
- Toss with olive oil, sea salt and black pepper.
- Arrange in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 200C for 12 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Serve immediately.
How to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer from frozen
When learning how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer, remember that using fresh sweet potatoes will yield the best results compared to frozen options. However, frozen fries can still be delicious when done right. For those curious about how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer from frozen, knowing the right timing is key to getting a great result.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C if your model recommends it.
- Add the frozen sweet potato fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for up to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness and brand. I recommend checking them regularly.
- Shake the basket 2 or 3 times during cooking.
- Add extra sea salt or black pepper after cooking if needed.
Frozen air fryer sweet potato fries usually do not need extra oil, but if they seem dry, you can lightly spray them with avocado oil or olive oil for best results.
Tips for extra crispy fries
Another common gap in some posts is troubleshooting. If you want extra crispy fries, these tips really help:
- Dry the fries well after soaking. Any leftover moisture can stop them crisping.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Cook in batches for the best results.
- Keep the fries in a single layer whenever possible.
- If you like, add a little cornstarch after drying and before oiling for even more crispness.
- Add 1 to 2 extra minutes at the end if you want extra crispy fries.
Sweet potato fries naturally stay a little softer than regular potato fries, but this method gives you crispy edges and a lovely soft middle.
As you gain confidence in how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer, you may wish to adjust the cooking time based on your specific air fryer model.
When you've perfected how to cook sweet potato fries in air fryer, serving them immediately will ensure you and your guests enjoy the best texture possible.
Variations and substitutions
This base recipe is very simple, which makes it easy to adapt.
- Add garlic powder for a savoury flavour.
- Add cayenne pepper for heat.
- Try fresh rosemary for a herby finish.
- Use avocado oil instead of olive oil.
- Extra virgin olive oil works too, though some people prefer avocado oil for higher heat cooking.
- A little coconut oil can also work, though it will slightly change the flavour.
You can also serve them with ranch dressing, vegan mayo, ketchup, barbecue sauce or your favourite dipping sauce.
Oven instructions
If you do not want to use the air fryer, you can bake the fries in the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 220C.
- Arrange the fries on a lined tray in a single layer.
- Roast for 25 to 35 minutes, turning halfway through.
The oven instructions are handy if you are making a larger batch, though the air fryer usually gives the crispiest finish with less oil.
Serving suggestions
These delicious fries go with so many meals. Try serving them with:
- veggie burgers or turkey burgers for anyone cooking for a mixed household
- wraps and sandwiches
- salads for a lighter main course
- vegan nuggets
- bean burgers
- grilled vegetables
They make a perfect side dish for lunch, dinner or party food.
Storage and reheating
Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also use a zip-top bag once they are cool.
To reheat, place the leftover fries back into the air fryer basket and cook at 200C for 3 to 5 minutes until hot and crisp again. They are always best fresh, but reheating in the air fryer is the best way to bring them back to life.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to soak sweet potatoes before air frying?
It helps. Soaking in cool water can remove some excess starch and may improve the final texture, especially if you want crispier fries.
Why are my sweet potato fries not crispy?
They may be too wet, too crowded in the basket, or cut too thick. Drying them well with paper towel and cooking them in a single layer gives the best results.
Do I need lots of oil?
No. One of the best things about making sweet potato fries in the air fryer is that you only need a bit of oil, much less than deep frying.
Can I add other seasonings?
Yes. Garlic powder, cayenne pepper and fresh rosemary all work really well.
How long is the cook time for frozen sweet potato fries?
Usually around 10 to 18 minutes at 200C, depending on the size of the fries and the brand.
Can I keep them for later?
Yes, store them in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer. That said, they are definitely at their best straight after cooking.
Is this one of those sweet potato recipes that works for weeknights?
Absolutely. It is quick, simple and made with very basic ingredients, so it is ideal for busy evenings.
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