Sweet Potato Fries That Actually Get Crispy (Air Fryer Recipe)

🥦 This recipe is part of our roundup: 12 Crispy Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes for Any Meal. If you’re looking to turn everyday veggies into crispy, crave-worthy bites, you’ll want to check out the rest too!

If you’ve ever tried to make crispy sweet potato fries in the oven, you know the struggle is real. They come out soft, soggy, and a little sad. But once I started making them in the air fryer with a few key tricks, everything changed.

These fries are crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and full of warm, sweet flavor. The air fryer gives them the perfect texture without deep frying. And yes, they actually get crispy — not just “less soft.”

The secret? A little prep work. Soaking, drying, and coating them with a touch of cornstarch makes all the difference. You’ll need to cook them in batches for best results, but it’s totally worth it.

🌿 Ingredients Overview

• Sweet potatoes: Choose medium ones with a smooth surface for easier cutting.
• Olive oil: Just enough to coat — avocado oil works great too.
• Cornstarch: This is the crisp-maker. Don’t skip it.
• Salt: Enhances the natural sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Optional, but adds a cozy flavor that pairs beautifully.

Optional swaps:

• Try smoked paprika or garlic powder for a savory twist.
• Use arrowroot starch for a grain-free alternative.

📆 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut the sweet potatoes: Slice into even ¼-inch sticks. The more uniform, the better they cook.

2. Soak in cold water: Submerge fries for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.

3. Dry thoroughly: Pat dry with clean towels — any moisture = soggy fries.

4. Season: Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp cornstarch, ½ tsp salt, and a pinch of cinnamon.

5. Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Place fries in a single layer, not touching. Cook for 15–18 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.

Tip: Work in batches and give the fries room to crisp. Crowding is the enemy of crunch!

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the soak: This helps pull out starch and encourages crisping.
• Not drying thoroughly: Wet fries = steamed fries.
• Crowding the basket: Fries need space or they won’t brown.
• Skipping the cornstarch: It’s the secret weapon for texture.
• Cutting uneven pieces: Thinner ones will burn before thicker ones finish.

🍼 Variations & Add-Ons

• Spicy version: Add cayenne or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
• Savory twist: Use garlic powder, smoked paprika, or rosemary.
• Sweet & spicy: Toss with maple syrup and hot sauce after air frying.
• Dips to try: Garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, or cinnamon-honey Greek yogurt.

Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Golden, crispy, and perfectly seasoned — these sweet potato fries are air-fried to perfection and easy to make at home.

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Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 53 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 medium sweet potatoes cut into ¼-inch sticks
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp salt
• Pinch of cinnamon optional

Equipment

• Air fryer

Method

 

1. Soak cut sweet potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes.
2. Pat dry thoroughly.
3. Toss with olive oil, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Air fry at 380°F for 15–18 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
5. Work in batches to keep fries in a single layer.

Notes

Best served immediately. To reheat, air fry for 2–3 minutes to restore crisp.

Calories: ~190 per serving

If you’ve been disappointed by soggy sweet potato fries before, this air fryer method is your fix. The prep is simple, the results are amazing, and you might never go back to oven fries again.

Let me know how yours turn out — and which dip you loved most!

Looking for more crispy snacks? Check out our Air Fryer Zucchini Chips or Seasoned Potato Wedges!