Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
Sweet potato fries have a reputation for going limp, because the flesh holds a lot of water and sugar. The air fryer gets rid of that moisture fast, and with a soak and a light cornflour coating you can have crisp, caramelised fries in about 16 minutes. This page also covers frozen sweet potato fries and the reasons they sometimes go soggy.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 56min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 3
- Per serving
- 200kcal
Why the air fryer works for sweet potato fries
Making sweet potato fries air fryer style is the easiest way to get them crisp at home. If you know them as yam fries, this is the same recipe. Sweet potatoes contain more water and sugar than ordinary potatoes, so in the oven they often steam, and in a fryer the sugar can burn before the fry is crisp. The air fryer's fast airflow removes surface moisture quickly, and the high heat caramelises the outsides before the inside turns to mush.
Sweet potato fries in air fryer machines need a few small steps to reach a proper crunch. Cut the sticks thin and even, soak, dry and coat them in a thin layer of cornflour. These steps cost 10 minutes of effort and make all the difference. If you cook for more than two, use two batches instead of piling them into the basket.
How to make sweet potato fries in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the fries Scrub the sweet potatoes and leave the skin on, or peel them. Cut into sticks about 1 cm thick and 7–8 cm long. Thin, even sticks are the key to crisp fries.
- Soak and dry Soak the sticks in cold water for , then drain and dry them very thoroughly with a clean tea towel. Water left on the surface stops them crisping.
- Coat Toss the dry sticks with the cornflour until lightly dusted, then add the olive oil and smoked paprika and toss again.
- Cook Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C. Add the fries in a single layer, with space between them, and cook for , shaking the basket every . Cook in two batches if needed.
- Salt and serve When they are dark gold and the ends look crisp, tip them into a bowl, sprinkle with the salt and serve at once. They crisp further for a minute or two as they cool.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Sweet Potato Fries | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh fries, 1 cmShake every 5 minutes | 200 °C | 15–18 min |
| Thin fries, 7 mm | 200 °C | 12–14 min |
| Chunky sweet potato wedges | 190 °C | 18–22 min |
| Frozen sweet potato friesCook from frozen | 200 °C | 12–15 min |
| Reheated sweet potato fries | 190 °C | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Frozen food in an air fryer
Tips
- Use a mandoline or a ruler. Fries of different thickness finish at different times, and the thin ones burn.
- Give the fries space. A single layer with air around each stick is the secret to crisp edges.
- Salt after cooking. Salt before cooking pulls out water, which then stops the fries crisping.
Serving
Serve with garlic mayonnaise, sriracha mayo or a soured cream and chive dip. They go with a hamburger, chicken wings or alongside regular homemade chips, so everyone gets a choice. For other ways to cook this vegetable, see sweet potatoes in the air fryer, which covers cubes, halves and whole sweet potatoes.
Storing and reheating
Sweet potato fries are best eaten at once. Leftovers keep for 1 day in the fridge in a covered container. Reheat in the air fryer at 190 °C for 3–4 minutes until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre), but do not expect them to be as crisp as when fresh.
Variations
- Cinnamon sugar: Skip the paprika and dust the hot fries with 1 tsp cinnamon mixed with 1 tsp sugar, for a sweet snack.
- Spicy fries: Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper and ½ tsp garlic granules to the oil.
- Parmesan fries: Toss the hot fries with 2 tbsp grated parmesan and a little chopped parsley (not vegan).
Troubleshooting
- The sweet potato fries are soggy
- There was too much moisture or too many fries. Soak, dry thoroughly, add the cornflour, and keep the basket no more than half full.
- The fries burn at the ends
- Thin tips cook faster than the thick middle. Cut the sticks to an even thickness and drop to 190 °C if your air fryer runs hot.
- The fries are crisp at first but go soft quickly
- Sweet potato fries soften as they stand. Serve them immediately and do not cover them.
Frequently asked questions
How long do sweet potato fries take in the air fryer?
Fresh fries 1 cm thick take 15–18 minutes at 200 °C, shaken every 5 minutes. Thin 7 mm fries take 12–14 minutes.
How do you make sweet potato fries crispy in the air fryer?
Soak the sticks for 30 minutes, dry them, toss with 1 tbsp cornflour and a little oil, and cook in a single layer. The cornflour absorbs surface moisture and makes a thin crisp shell.
Can you cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen sweet potato fries at 200 °C for 12–15 minutes, shaking twice. Do not defrost them or add more oil.
Do you have to parboil sweet potato fries?
No. Soaking is enough. Par-boiling makes the flesh too soft for a thin fry and risks collapse.
Can babies eat sweet potato fries from the air fryer?
Fries made without added salt or seasoning can suit older babies, cut into chunky sticks that are soft enough to squash between your fingers. Leave off the salt.
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