Description
These Air Fryer Crispy Sweet Potato Fries are a healthier, easy-to-make alternative to traditional fries. Perfectly seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, and a touch of cayenne for optional heat, these fries come out golden and crispy thanks to the cornstarch coating and air frying technique. This recipe offers a deliciously guilt-free snack or side dish in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potato Fries
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat
Instructions
- Soak the fries: Cut the sweet potatoes into fries and soak them in cold water for 30 minutes. This helps to remove excess starch and ensures crispier fries.
- Dry the fries: Drain the fries thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Coat with cornstarch: Place the dried fries in a large bowl, sprinkle with cornstarch, and toss until they are evenly coated. The cornstarch creates a crispy texture when cooked.
- Add oil and seasonings: Pour in the olive or avocado oil, then add garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Toss well to evenly coat the fries with the seasoning mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange fries in basket: Place the fries in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation for crispiness.
- Cook the fries: Air fry the fries for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to promote even cooking and browning.
- Check and crisp: If you desire extra crispiness, cook the fries an additional 2-3 minutes, monitoring carefully to prevent burning.
- Season to taste: Once cooked, season the fries with additional salt if desired while they are still hot for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Soaking the fries in water is key for reducing starch and enhancing crispiness.
- Patting the fries very dry before coating is essential to get them crispy in the air fryer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crisper fries.
- Adjust cooking time slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the fries.
- For a healthier option, use avocado oil instead of olive oil.
- Optional cayenne pepper adds a nice spicy kick but can be omitted for a milder flavor.
