Crispy, salty, and lick-your-fingers-good, these air fryer sweet potato fries are easy to make in the air fryer in under 15 minutes!
Heating up leftover fries and getting them crispy again without being dried out but might be one of my favorite features of the air fryer. So it’s no surprise that I’m also LOVING making homemade fries in the air fryer.
I’ve always been a big fan of sweet potato fries. There’s something about the contrast of sweet to savory when pairing them with something off the grill – veggie burger, anyone?!
The air fryer makes homemade fries quick and easy. In fact, you could make one batch in less than 15 minutes!
Customize them with whatever seasonings and dipping sauces you desire! I’ll share my favorites below.
You’re going to love this recipe, especially with the weather getting nicer. There’s nothing better than a cookout with some sweet potato fries on the side!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes: Try to use similar sized sweet potatoes as consistency is the name of the game with getting an even fry. The recipe calls for two medium sweet potatoes. What is a medium sweet potato, you ask? About 5 inches long and 2 inch diameter. If you don’t have medium sweet potatoes, you could use one large or 3 small.
Oil: I like using a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like avocado oil, but you could use olive oil or canola oil.
Garlic powder: Because garlic on fries is delicious.
Paprika: I love seasoning potatoes with paprika – it’s fruity, a little bitter, and usually has a subtle kick to it.
How to Cut Sweet Potatoes for Fries
It’s important to get a uniform cut to make sure your fries cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise.
- Turn the sweet potato so it’s flat side is against the cutting board.
- Cut lengthwise into 1/4 to 1/2 inch strips.
- Depending on the diameter of your sweet potato (if larger), you might need to then cut these strips in half to get them closer to a 1/4 to 1/2 inch matchstick.
How to Make Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Cut your sweet potatoes into even matchsticks.
Step 2: Toss sweet potatoes with oil and spices/seasonings.
Step 3: Working in batches, place matchsticks evenly into air fryer basket, leaving space in between. Don’t overcrowd the basket or your fries won’t get crispy!
Step 4: Air fry until crispy, about 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Expert Tips
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket! I know it’s tempting to not cook in batches but this won’t allow the air to circulate, meaning your fries won’t get deliciously crispy!
No need to soak your sweet potatoes ahead of time. There are some recipes that say soaking in cold water will help remove some of the starches, resulting in a crispier fry. I tested this both ways and didn’t find a difference so I say skip the extra step and save yourself some time.
Preheat your air fryer! I don’t always recommend preheating it but for this recipe I think it helps ensure a consistent cooking time. When I didn’t preheat the air fryer, my first batch took longer to cook than my second. When I preheated it first, I was able to get a consistent cooking time between batches. To preheat, set your timer for 5 minutes at the temperature the recipe calls for.
Try to get those sweet potatoes cut evenly. Again this is going to help with consistency in crispiness and cook time!
Sweet Potato Fries FAQs
Why do you soak potatoes in water before air frying?
Some recipes call for this because soaking in cold water will help remove some of the starches, resulting in a crispier fry. I tested this both ways and didn’t find a difference so I say skip the extra step and save yourself some time.
Why are my sweet potato fries soggy?
If your fries are soggy, it’s probably because the basket was overcrowded, which leads to the sweet potatoes being steamed instead of air fryed.
How do you preheat the airfryer?
Set the temperature for 375 degrees (or what’s called for in the recipe you’re following) and set the timer for 5 minutes.
What kind of air fryer do you have / recommend?
I use a Phillips XXL Air Fryer which has a 3lb / 4 qt capacity. I did a lot of research and asked colleagues and friends for recommendations and this one came out on top. (Affiliate link – at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase)
How long does it take to cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer? About 15-20 minutes, again working in batches, so fries are evenly spaced apart with room in-between.
What should you pair sweet potato fries with?
Any protein or veg would work but I love BBQ and cookout foods like my Instant Pot BBQ Chicken, Buffalo Chickpea Veggie Burgers, Mushroom Black Bean Veggie Burger, Spicy Hummus Black Bean Veggie Burger, and Instant Pot Vegetarian Baked Beans.
For more air fryer inspiration, check out my recipes below!
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Salmon (Fresh or Frozen)
If you like this recipe, please be sure to give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!
PrintAir Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crispy, salty, and lick-your-fingers-good, these air fryer sweet potato fries are easy to make in the air fryer in under 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch matchsticks
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add sweet potato, oil, garlic powder, paprika, and salt, and toss until sweet potato is evenly coated.
- Cooking in 2-3 batches, place sweet potato matchsticks into air fryer basket so they are evenly spaced out with some room in-between.
- Air fry until sweet potato fries are crispy, about 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- To preheat the air fryer, set the temperature for 375 degrees and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- If your fries are soggy, it’s probably because the basket was overcrowded, which leads to the sweet potatoes being steamed instead of air fryed.
- Try to cut the sweet potatoes into even matchsticks to help with consistency in crispiness and cook time!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American