Sweet potato fries are a great alternative to regular French fries, which are healthy, tasty, and easy to make at home. Air fryer sweet potato fries are one of the best vegan appetizers.

Sweet potatoes are healthy vegetables that contain many nutrients essential for our body, such as Vitamins A & C, fiber, calcium, and potassium. They help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels while raising good HDL cholesterol, which aids in preventing heart disease.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
The difference is not just the color. Sweet potato fries taste better than potato fries because they have more natural sugar. It's so delicious with natural sweetness. They are low in calories and are naturally gluten-free.
Air fryer sweet potato fries are easier to bake than in an oven. They are still relatively easy to make in air fryers, and it will take less energy and time than oven baking. Also, you don't need to heat the whole kitchen to bake your fries. Read my other air fryer recipes here.
Ingredients you will need -
Sweet potatoes are the main ingredients. There are different varieties of sweet potatoes. Any of them will do great.
A simple seasoning of salt and black pepper will do magic. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper/ sweet paprika to the seasoning if you love a little spicy. Sweet paprika adds a spicy tint to the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes.
How to make air fryer sweet potato fries?
Preheat the air fryer to 390 F (200 C) for 4 minutes.
Wash & peel the skin off the sweet potatoes, discard the ends if needed, then cut each into sticks about ยผ - ยฝ inches wide.ย Put them in a large mixing bowl, add salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper/ paprika (optional if you like). Add 2 - 3 tsp olive oil and mix them all so the fries are nicely coated.
Then, transfer the fries to the air fryer basket. Put them in your air fryer basket. Start the air fryer at 390 F (200C) for 12 - 14 minutes. Toss them in between so that they will be evenly cooked.
You'll need to check every 5 minutes or at least once in half the set time. Shake them around from side to side with tongs until they are crispy enough for your taste buds. If you do not like them to be very crispy, check and remove them at 10 minutes.
**Note - Air fryer timer may vary depending on the type and size of your air fryer. Also, it depends on the thickness of the fries. If you feel it needs to be cooked longer, please increase the timer based on your judgment. I make these fries at the 12 - 15-minute mark maximum. But many air fryers cook the fries at 20 minutes and some at 10 - 12 minutes. So, set aside time for the air fryer you have.
** Note - Though homemade fries will be crispy, don't expect them to be as crispy as the frozen ones. Frozen ones are precooked and have preservatives. But homemade fries are delicious, too.
Tips for best sweet potato fries
1. Cut them evenly. This will help them to cook evenly and faster in your air fryer. You will need a sharp knife to cut the sweet potatoes since these are a little harder in texture than potatoes (denser than potatoes).
2. Preheat the air fryer. Though it's not compulsory, and many brands say it's not required, it's easier to track the timing while making fries.
3. Shake the basket every 4 minutes. This ensures even cooking and faster cooking of the fries. They may get burnt if left untouched in the basket for too long!
Recipe Card for Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Equipment
- Knife
Ingredients
- 16 ounces sweet potatoes (500 gms)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ยฝ tsp sweet paprika
- ยฝ tsp salt (or as per taste)
- ยฝ tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and peel the skin of the sweet potatoes.
- With help of a sharp knife, cut them into ยผ - ยฝ inch pieces.
- Soak it in cold water for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer at 390 F for 4 minutes.
- In the mean while, remove the fries from water and wipe them with a paper napkin.
- Place the fries in a large bowl.
- Add the spices mentioned above in the ingredients list above.
- Drizzle 2 - 3 tsp oil and now mix them nicely with the sweet potato fries.
- Now when the air fryer beeps, remove the basket and transfer the seasoned fries into the basket.
- Then set timer at 12 minutes at 390 F (200C).
- Toss them in the midway or at every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- If you like half cooked sweet potatoes, check at 10 minutes if you can remove. If you love crispier fries, try for 2 - 3 minutes extra (14 - 15 minutes)
Video
Notes
- Cut them evenly. This will help them to cook evenly and faster in your air fryer.
- You will need a sharp knife to cut the sweet potatoes since these are a little harder in texture than potatoes (denser than potatoes).
- Preheat the air fryer. Though it's not compulsory and many brands say it's not required, it's easier to track the timing while making fries.
- Shake the basket every 4 minutes. This ensures even-cooking and faster cooking of the fries. They may get burnt if left untouched in the basket for too long.
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