Description
Craving crispy, delicious fries without the guilt of deep-frying? Look no further than these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries! This recipe delivers perfectly cooked, slightly sweet, and savory fries with a fraction of the oil. Paired with a creamy, smoky paprika dipping sauce, these fries are a satisfying snack, side dish, or even a light meal. Say goodbye to soggy fries and hello to air fryer perfection! This recipe is simple, uses common ingredients, and is incredibly versatile, making it a new staple in your kitchen.
Why you will love this recipe
You’ll adore this Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries recipe for so many reasons!
- Healthier than traditional fries: Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep-frying, making these fries a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Crispy and delicious: The air fryer creates a wonderfully crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and fluffy.
- Easy to make: With minimal prep time and simple instructions, this recipe is perfect for weeknight cravings.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the spices and seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Get creative and experiment!
- Kid-friendly: Even picky eaters will love these sweet and savory fries.
- Flavorful Dipping Sauce: The homemade smoky paprika dipping sauce takes these fries to the next level, offering a tangy, savory, and slightly smoky flavor that complements the sweetness of the potatoes perfectly.
- Quick Clean-up: Air fryers are notoriously easy to clean, saving you valuable time and effort.
- Consistent Results: The air fryer ensures even cooking, so you’ll get perfect fries every single time.
- Versatile: Enjoy these fries as a snack, a side dish with burgers or sandwiches, or even as a topping for salads.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lbs sweet potatoes – peeled and chopped into ¼” sticks
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp vinegar (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Begin by thoroughly washing the sweet potatoes. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin completely. Place the peeled sweet potatoes on a cutting board and carefully chop them into ¼-inch thick sticks, resembling traditional French fries. Aim for even sizing to ensure consistent cooking. If desired, you can soak the cut sweet potato fries in cold water for about 30 minutes. This helps to remove excess starch and can result in even crispier fries. After soaking, pat the sweet potato fries thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove all excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving optimal crispiness in the air fryer.
Step 2: Season the Sweet Potato Fries
In a large bowl, place the prepared sweet potato fries. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the fries, ensuring they are evenly coated. The olive oil helps to promote browning and crisping during the air frying process. Next, sprinkle the sweet potato fries with 1 teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. These spices will infuse the fries with a delicious savory flavor that complements the sweetness of the potatoes.
Step 3: Toss to Coat
Using your hands or a large spoon, gently toss the sweet potato fries until they are evenly coated with the olive oil and spices. Make sure that each fry is well-seasoned for maximum flavor. If you find that the spices are not distributing evenly, you can add a small amount of olive oil to help them adhere better.
Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Most air fryers have a preheating function, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the air fryer is at the optimal temperature when the fries are added, promoting even cooking and crisping.
Step 5: Air Fry the Sweet Potato Fries
Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the seasoned sweet potato fries into the air fryer basket in a single, even layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent the fries from cooking properly and achieving maximum crispiness. If necessary, cook the fries in batches to ensure that each batch is evenly spaced.
Step 6: Cook the Fries
Cook the sweet potato fries for 25-30 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the desired level of crispiness. Halfway through the cooking time, around 12-15 minutes, pause the air fryer and carefully shake the basket to redistribute the fries. This helps to ensure that they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
Step 7: Check for Doneness
After the cooking time is up, check the fries for doneness. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a tender interior. If they are not yet crispy enough, you can continue cooking them for an additional 2-5 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning.
Step 8: Make the Dipping Sauce
While the sweet potato fries are cooking, prepare the dipping sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of mayonnaise, ½ cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of vinegar (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar work well), 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Stir the ingredients together until they are well combined and the sauce is smooth and creamy. The dipping sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Once the sweet potato fries are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate. Sprinkle with a little more salt if desired. Serve the fries immediately with the smoky paprika dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy your delicious and crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries!
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve as a side dish with burgers, sandwiches, or grilled chicken.
- Enjoy as a snack with the smoky paprika dipping sauce.
- Top a salad with these crispy fries for added texture and flavor.
- Serve alongside grilled steak or fish.
- Pair with other appetizers like mozzarella sticks or onion rings for a fun and casual meal.
- Offer as a vegetarian option at barbecues and gatherings.
- Create a sweet potato fry bar with a variety of dipping sauces, such as garlic aioli, sriracha mayo, and honey mustard.
Tips:
- For extra crispy fries, soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Make sure to pat the sweet potatoes completely dry before adding the oil and seasonings. Excess moisture will prevent them from crisping up.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the fries in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
- Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat, or use different herbs and spices for a unique flavor.
- Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
- Experiment with different dipping sauces, such as garlic aioli, honey mustard, or sriracha mayo.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
25-30 minutes
Total Time:
40-45 minutes
Nutritional Information:
*Calories: 242kcal *Protein: 3g *Sodium: 385mg
*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Conclusion
This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking for a healthier and more convenient way to enjoy crispy, delicious fries. The air fryer delivers exceptional results with minimal oil, making it a guilt-free pleasure. The combination of savory spices and the smoky paprika dipping sauce creates a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a tasty side dish, or a fun appetizer, these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are sure to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your air fryer, and get ready to enjoy the perfect batch of sweet potato fries!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use frozen sweet potato fries for this recipe?
A: While this recipe is designed for fresh sweet potato fries, you can use frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer. However, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and potentially the temperature. Frozen fries are often pre-seasoned, so you may want to skip or reduce the amount of additional spices you add. Be sure to check the package instructions for recommended air frying times and temperatures as a starting point. Keep an eye on them and adjust as needed to achieve your desired level of crispiness.
Q2: What if I don’t have an air fryer? Can I bake these in the oven?
A: Yes, you can definitely bake these sweet potato fries in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the seasoned sweet potato fries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and tender. Keep in mind that oven-baked fries may not be as crispy as air-fried fries, but they will still be delicious.
Q3: Can I make the dipping sauce ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! The dipping sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. In fact, making it ahead of time allows the flavors to meld together even more, resulting in a richer and more complex taste. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Q4: I don’t like mayonnaise. Is there a substitute I can use in the dipping sauce?
A: Yes, there are several substitutes you can use for mayonnaise in the dipping sauce. Greek yogurt is a great option for a healthier alternative that still provides a creamy texture. Sour cream or crème fraîche can also be used. You might need to adjust the amount of vinegar and paprika to achieve the desired flavor balance. Alternatively, you could try a completely different dipping sauce altogether, such as garlic aioli, honey mustard, or a spicy sriracha mayo.
Q5: How do I prevent the fries from sticking to the air fryer basket?
A: To prevent the fries from sticking to the air fryer basket, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure your air fryer basket is clean and dry. You can also lightly spray the basket with cooking oil spray before adding the fries. This will create a barrier between the fries and the basket, making them easier to remove. Another tip is to avoid overcrowding the basket. Cooking the fries in batches allows for better air circulation and prevents them from steaming instead of crisping. Finally, shaking the basket halfway through cooking not only promotes even browning but also helps to loosen any fries that might be sticking.
