Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
In short: Sweet potato sticks soaked, dried and tossed in cornstarch, then air fried until the edges are browned and the centers stay soft and sweet. It takes about 33 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 33 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 205 kcal
Sweet potato fries have a reputation for turning limp, because their sugar browns before the starch can crisp. A short soak, a dusting of cornstarch and a hot air fryer solve most of that. The result is fries with browned edges and a soft middle that need only a spoonful of oil. They go with burgers, grilled chicken or a bowl of black beans, and children tend to finish the plate.
Instructions
- Cut the sweet potatoes into sticks about 1 cm (3/8 inch) thick and 8 cm (3 inches) long. Keep them an even size so they cook at the same pace.
- Soak the sticks in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes to draw out surface starch. Drain well and dry them thoroughly on a clean towel.
- Toss the dry sticks with the cornstarch until lightly dusted, then with the oil, salt, paprika and garlic powder.
- Heat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes. Cook the fries in two batches, or one if your basket is large, in a single loose layer.
- Cook for 8 minutes, shake the basket, then cook for 6 to 8 minutes more until the edges are browned and the centers are soft when pierced.
- Let the fries stand for 2 minutes, since they crisp a little as they cool. Serve hot with lime wedges.
Tips
- Do not overcrowd the basket. Piled fries steam rather than crisp, so use two batches and keep the first warm in a low oven.
- For a creamy dip, stir lime juice and a pinch of salt into plain unsweetened dairy-free yogurt.
Questions and answers
Why are my air fryer sweet potato fries soggy?
The usual causes are cutting them too thick, skipping the drying step, or crowding the basket. Dry them well and cook in a single layer.
Do I have to soak sweet potato fries?
It is optional, but soaking for 20 minutes removes some surface starch and gives a crisper result. If you skip it, dry the sticks well and add 1 minute of cooking.
Can I make the fries ahead?
Cut and soak them up to a day ahead and keep them in the fridge in water. Dry and season just before cooking, as cooked fries do not keep their crunch.
How long does it take to make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries?
About 33 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 18 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries?
About 205 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 205 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
