Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries have a reputation for coming out soft, but a light dusting of cornstarch and a hot air fryer fix most of that. They brown at the edges, stay creamy inside and need only 1 tablespoon of oil for four servings. A quick lime yogurt dip on the side keeps the whole plate at about 220 calories.
Published
- Prep Time
- 15 mins
- Cook Time
- 18 mins
- Total Time
- 33 mins
- Servings
- 4 servings
How do you make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries?
Cut 700 g sweet potatoes into 1 cm sticks, pat dry and toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch, then 1 tbsp oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder and salt. Air fry in a single layer at 200°C (400°F) for 14-18 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. Rest for 2-3 minutes so they firm up, then serve with a lime yogurt dip.
- Total time
- 33 mins
- Calories
- 220 per serving
- Protein
- 6.5 g
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Fries
Lime yogurt dip
Equipment
Air fryer · Large bowl · Sharp knife · Small bowl
Quick Directions
Cut the fries
Peel the sweet potatoes if you like, or leave the skin on.
Coat and season
Pat the sticks dry with a clean towel.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
Make the dip
While the fries cook, stir the yogurt, lime juice, smoked paprika and a pinch of salt together in a small bowl.
Rest and serve
Leave the cooked fries in the basket or on a wire rack for 2-3 minutes; they firm up as the steam escapes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer sweet potato fries.
Cut the fries
Peel the sweet potatoes if you like, or leave the skin on. Cut them into sticks about 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick, keeping them as even as you can so they cook at the same rate.
Coat and season
Pat the sticks dry with a clean towel. Toss them in a large bowl with the cornstarch until lightly dusted with no dry white patches, then add the oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt and the pepper and toss again.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Spread the fries in the basket in a single layer with a little space between them, working in two batches if your basket is small. Air fry for 14-18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until browned at the edges and tender inside.
Make the dip
While the fries cook, stir the yogurt, lime juice, smoked paprika and a pinch of salt together in a small bowl. Scatter the chives on top.
Rest and serve
Leave the cooked fries in the basket or on a wire rack for 2-3 minutes; they firm up as the steam escapes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 tsp salt and serve with the dip.
Recipe Tips
- Cornstarch is sold as cornflour in some countries. You want the fine white powder, not yellow cornmeal.
- Sweet potatoes have more sugar than regular potatoes, so the thin ends darken quickly. Check the fries from 12 minutes and pull out any that are already brown.
- Serve them soon after cooking. Sweet potato fries crisp up as they rest for a few minutes, then slowly soften again as they cool.
Variations
- Vegan: swap the Greek yogurt for an unsweetened plant-based yogurt.
- Spicy: add 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder with the paprika.
- Cinnamon sweet fries: skip the paprika, garlic and pepper, and toss the hot fries with 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tsp brown sugar.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 220 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6.5 g |
| Carbs | 39 g |
| Fat | 4.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 1 g |
| Fibre | 5.5 g |
| Sugar | 8.5 g |
| Sodium | 570 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Refrigerate leftover fries within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The yogurt dip keeps, covered, for up to 3 days.
- Reheat
- Reheat in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 4-5 minutes until hot and crisp at the edges.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries FAQs
How long do sweet potato fries take in the air fryer?
Fries cut 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick take 14-18 minutes at 200°C (400°F). Shake the basket every 5 minutes, and cook in batches if they would overlap. Thinner fries cook faster, so start checking at 12 minutes.
Why aren't my sweet potato fries crispy?
Sweet potatoes hold more moisture and sugar and less starch than regular potatoes, so they soften easily. Dry the sticks well, coat them lightly in cornstarch, cook them in a single layer and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Do I need to soak sweet potato fries before air frying?
No. Soaking helps regular potatoes by rinsing off surface starch, but sweet potatoes have much less of it. A light cornstarch coating on dry sticks does more for crispness than soaking.
Should I peel sweet potatoes for fries?
It is up to you. The skin adds fibre and colour and helps the fries hold together, so just scrub the potatoes well. Peel them if you prefer a smoother, more uniform fry.
Disclaimer
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.
