These restaurant-style Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are crispy, kid-approved, and ready in under 20 minutes!
I remember when sweet potato fries were all the rage in Manhattan. It was almost unthinkable for a restaurant not to offer them as a side dish at one point. I worked at a midtown restaurant that served the best sweet potato fries, and I ate them daily with ranch. Now, twenty years later in suburbia, they are not as easy to come by, mostly because my days of dining outside of my kitchen are limited. So I have to figure out how to make them myself.
As a mom, it is always my goal to serve my kids something healthy-ish that I don’t have to beg and bribe them to take a bite of. With that in mind, deep-frying in oil is out; the air fryer is in! These air-fryer sweet potato fries are just as tasty as deep-fried fries, with less grease, fewer calories, and no trans fat. Additionally, sweet potatoes are dense in vitamins and fiber, so you’ll feel great making these for the whole family.
Air-fryer sweet potato fries are absolutely delicious. With each bite, you have the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and a nutty, savory flavor with a hint of spice from the garlic, paprika, and black pepper. If your kids are sensitive to these spices, you can use just a pinch or omit them completely. While I love air-fryer sweet potato fries, I have also prepared them with just a sprinkle of garlic powder and salt, and my kids devoured them!
To soak or not to soak?
You may have heard that you should soak sweet potato fries in water before air-frying, but you certainly don’t have to. The soaking method removes excess starch, which can give your air-fryer sweet potato fries a crispier texture. However, as a busy mom, I don’t often have time for the extra step, which can take an hour or more. Don’t worry, though, your fries will still turn out tasty and crisp without soaking.
How do I store leftovers?
Air-fryer sweet potato fries are best eaten right away, but if you have leftovers, you can store them for up to 3 or 4 days. Allow the fries to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serving suggestions
I have already expressed my love for this air-fryer sweet potato recipe, since they are oh-so-tasty and easy to prepare. But I also really love how versatile they are. You can proudly serve them with a nice sit-down meal, like Creamy Garlic Chicken and Steamed Asparagus, or prepare a large batch to accompany a cookout with Bacon Cheeseburgers or any of these Four Killer Hot Dog Recipes.
Additionally, air-fryer sweet potato fries can be enjoyed as a healthy snack after school or on game day with Blue Cheese Dip and Easy Cauliflower Wings.
Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick sticks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley chopped (for optional garnish)
- Preferred sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
- Place the cut sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Arrange the sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if needed) and air-fry for about 11-13 minutes, turning halfway through until they are crispy on the outside.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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