If you’re like me and crave something crispy and comforting—but don’t have time for complicated recipes—these sweet potato fries are it. I built this recipe for real-life schedules, where time is short but flavor still matters. The air fryer gets them crunchy and golden with hardly any oil or fuss, and they’re ready fast enough to keep up with your day.
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This post was originally published on August 28, 2017. It has since been updated.
This recipe pairs so well with Low-Carb Garlic Truffle Aioli, Garlic Avocado Aioli, and Chipotle Mayo. It is pretty much exactly the same as my baked Healthy Sweet Potato Fries recipe. I cracked a code and found the perfect way to make sweet potato fries that are crispy AND crunchy, yet still HEALTHY using corn starch.
Are sweet potato fries healthy? Absolutely! Especially when they aren't cooked in harmful oils like vegetable oil. They are also more nutrient dense than regular French fries.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
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They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—just how sweet potato fries should be.
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No deep frying needed! The air fryer does all the work (and no greasy mess to clean up).
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They cook up fast and make the perfect side or snack when you want something a little extra.
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You can season them however you like—sweet, spicy, savory… go wild.
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Great for dipping in literally anything—ranch, spicy mayo, honey mustard, you name it.
How to Cut Sweet Potatoes into Fries
I like to use a fry cutter because it's quick and painless. This also helps get the fries at an even size, which is great for ensuring all of the fries cook evenly in the air fryer.
If using a fry cutter, you will need to soften the sweet potatoes in the microwave for a few minutes first.
If you don't use a fry cutter, rinse and peel the potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes on a cutting board, and slice off ¼ of an inch from each side. Roll the potato onto the flattest side. Slice the potatoes lengthwise into ½ inch planks. Cut each plank into fries ½ of an inch thick.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Add the sliced sweet potatoes to a bowl of cold water.
- Remove from the water and dry the sweet potatoes completely.
- Sprinkle with cornstarch and seasonings.
- Place in the air fryer basket and spray with olive oil.
- Air fry. I recommend air frying at 380 degrees for 20-25 minutes for crispy fries.
How to Get the Fries to Crisp
The first step is to soak the sweet potatoes in water to remove the excess starch from the potatoes. You should also coat them in cornstarch which will help get them crispy. Get more tips on How to Make Crispy Sweet Potato Fries here.
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You will also need to spray oil on the fries. If you make the fries with no oil, it will be difficult to produce crispy fries.
Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries Variations and Substitutions
Frozen fries will follow a similar cook time and temperature. The trick is to check in on the fries often and test if they meet your desired level of crisp and crunch.
I love to top sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, and garlic. You can also use butter and brown sugar.
More Air Fryer Fries and Potato Recipes
Homestyle Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Truffle Oil Fries
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Air Fryer Potato Skins
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
More Sweet Potato Recipes
Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Healthy Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet Potato Chili
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Sweet Potato Soup
Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut lengthwise, mine weighed about a couple of pounds total
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Fry Cutter Instructions
- I used a fry cutter to slice the sweet potatoes. This helped provide more evenly shaped fries which helps with even cook time.
- If you use a fry cutter, you will need to soften the potatoes first. They are too hard to cut when completely raw. The instructions on the cutter I used, said to microwave for 1 minute. I had to microwave them for 3-4 minutes to get them soft enough.
Air Fryer
- Place the sliced sweet potatoes in a large bowl with cold water. Allow the sweet potatoes to soak in the water for an hour.
- Remove the sweet potatoes from water and dry completely. Sprinkle the cornstarch throughout.
- Sprinkle in the paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Place the fries in the air fryer basket and spray with olive oil. Do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if necessary. If you see white spots of cornstarch on the fries, spray the area with olive oil.
- Adjust the temperature to 380 degrees and cook for 23-25 minutes. Set a timer for 10 minutes and stop and shake the basket at the 10-minute mark (once). Use your judgment. If you like crispy fries, cook them longer and be sure to check on them.
- Cool before serving.
Amy @ The Cook Report says
These look really tasty, I haven't tried an air fryer yet but these look worth a go!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
We love sweet potato fries, but they're tough to get really crispy. Does this air fryer do the trick?
staysnatched says
It does!
sylvia sur says
Did not come out crisp.Followed the recipe exactly including the corn starch sprinkling.
staysnatched says
If you have trouble getting food to crisp use more oil and increase your cook time.
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
You had me at the truffle aioli!!!! I have to try this now!
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated says
I think you've just made my ultimate fries and dip! It's been absolutely forever since I had sweet potato fries OR truffle oil aioli, so you've totally got me craving both right now. Can't believe they're less than 100 calories. I've got to get me an Air Fryer!!
Sarah Newman, Vegan Chickpea says
OMG I was just talking to my parents last night about air fryers! I still haven't purchased one yet but am so tempted. These look amazing!
Milena says
An air-fryer is on my list for Christmas this year! I've had fries from one and they tasted awesome!!
Alicia Taylor says
I cannot believe how low calorie these are! For "fries" that is amazing. They also look tantalizingly crispy
Ashley says
Girl you had me at Sweet Potato Fries!! YUM!! My hubs wants an air fryer, I think I might have to have one now for these fries!
lauren says
I wish I had air fryer because I would be making these all the time. Mix it up with different seasonings and dipping sauces. the perfect apps to any meal.
Kristin says
Oh wow. I have never heard of an air fryer but now need one immediately! Yum!
Lois Alter Mark says
Okay, I am drooling over these! I've never thought of getting an air fryer but you know that's changing now! Those look amazing!
Reesa Lewandowski says
These look AH-MAZING!!!!!! I have heard of a few ppl who love their air fryer!
Louise says
Can you believe I'd never tried sweet potato fries until earlier this year? I'm always late to the party!! I loved them though, and will definitely give making them in my air fryer a try 🙂
Louise x
Monica (nyctechmommy) says
Sweet potatoe fries are my favorite! I usually bake them but now I think I need an air fryer!
Kris says
The trick to crispy sweet pot fries is this recipe! Soaking the pots and covering w corn starch!! To make it easier to prepare let pots sit in cornstarch a little while to set corstarch. Then add in oil and seasonings. Shake very carefully.
staysnatched says
Thanks for providing tips! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Alexia Rios says
I've been trying to figure out how to make the perfect crispy sweet potato fries in an airfryer for awhile. I usually but the frozen ones and just toss them in but making them from scratch is healthier. Wondering what the 1 hour soak does to the potatoes? Thanks!
staysnatched says
Soaking helps remove excess starch. I'm glad you liked them!
Anonymous says
These were amazing. Possibly the best sweet potatoes fries I've had. First time we've done sweet potato fries in our air fryer and I can't wait to make them again. I wasn't sure if I was meant to dry off the potatoes so I just patted them dry. I guess being a bit wet helped the cornstarch stick to them. I had to double the cornstarch to cover my two sweet potatoes. I only had olive oil so that's all I used.
Also I'm in Australia so where we have Celsius so for any other Aussies, I cooked mine for 190 degrees at 10 mins, shook the basket and cooked at 190 degrees for another 15. They were a little crispy but not burnt. SO DELICIOUS!!
Tanja Foster says
I just opened my air fryer from Christmas and I'm making these sweet potato fries and wings in it today. Your recipe looks great!! But I have a question, do you peel the potatoes?
Tanja
staysnatched says
Thank you! Yes, the potatoes are peeled.
Mary says
These are great! Do you pat the potatoes dry after taking out of the water before the cornstarch?
staysnatched says
Yes I do.
Mary says
Thank you great! Thank you!
Pat says
Hi, can you please clarify about the cooking time? Do I shake only once *after the first 10 minutes* and then leave them untouched for the remainder of the time? Thanks
staysnatched says
Yes, you shake the basket once at 10 minutes. Use your judgment and shake again if necessary. You will know if you need to shake it more once you see how the fries are progressing.
Miriam says
I did not care for these at all. I followed the recipe to the letter, including soaking, drying, corn starch, seasoning, shaking, etc.. I just didn't like them at all and they did not get crisp.
staysnatched says
I'm sorry the recipe did not work for you. These crisp fine for me with my air fryer brand.
CindyH says
I finally bought an air fryer and this was the first recipe I tried. The fries were perfect! Thanks for sharing the recipe and making this a easy test for my first-time use. I’m glad I found your site and I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
P.S. I was trying to select 5 stars, but it wouldn’t work.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Welcome and I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
dale geraldson says
cooked mine 20 minutes at 400 degrees Shook them every 5 minutes and they came out perfect Thanks My air fryer is a 5.5 qt B.Wise 1800 watt
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Susan says
Hi there .... do you know why we soak the potatoes to remove starch and then add starch as a coating,
staysnatched says
To get them to crisp.
BB says
This is the best and most successful air fryer recipe I’ve ever tried. They’re so good to want to cry ?. Thank you soooo much! I subbed the suggested oils with 1 and 1/2 tbsp of white truffle olive oil (because I just love truffle). The seasoning ratio is perfect! Now I just have to resist making these every night
staysnatched says
I love your changes! I love truffle fries in the air fryer!
Mayah says
These were amazing! My husband and I ate them before we even sat down for dinner. Will definitely make again (and again!)
staysnatched says
haha I do that all of the time!
Jordan says
First attempt at making these was a fail. I was too impatient to soak fries so I skipped that step and they taste awful and dried out extremely quick. Second time I soaked them for a little over an hour and followed the instructions step by step and omg. This recipe is perfect.
staysnatched says
So glad that trick worked for you!
PAT MARINO says
THE SWEET POTATO FRIES RECIPE WAS THE BEST THAT
I EVER HAD. THANK YOU. FOR YOUR GREAT RECIPES. PAT.
staysnatched says
YES! So glad you enjoyed it!
Treva LMjoorrison says
I have frozen sweet potatoaand don't know how long to cook them
Lindsey says
I’m actually angry at how good these are because now I’m going to eat fries EVERY DAYYYYY. I just got an air fryer today and this was the first recipe I’ve tried and they were PERFECT! So crispy and delicious.
staysnatched says
haha! So easy and delicious!
Coby says
Finally- a recipe for sweet potato fries that gets them crispy! These are great- I’ve made them twice in one week. The second time around I used smoked paprika instead of regular- I loved the smoky flavor with the sweet potatoes!
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad you like the flavor!
Stephanie says
These were so good! Definitely listen to the tip to not overcrowd them...perfectly crispy!
staysnatched says
Yes, great rule of thumb for all air frying.
Stephanie says
Sorry, forgot to highlight stars with my previous comment! Definitely 5 stars!
Brittany Gunn says
These were so good! I love sweet potato fries, but I’ve never cooked them myself. Easy and delicious recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the fries!
Rochelle says
I love sweet potato fries and I tried these sweet potato fries and they taste amazing. The crunch amd the flavor are everything!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Andrea says
Do you soak the frozen fries as well?
staysnatched says
No.
Kelsey says
HI! I am about to try out this recipe but do not have any cornstarch. Do you have any suggestions on what can substitute corn starch? Thanks!
staysnatched says
You can omit it but they won't be as crispy. It's the only thing I've tested that works on getting them crisp.
W says
Corn starch made for a strange texture. And not crunchy. Do not recommend.
staysnatched says
I love this method and will continue to make them this way.
Anthony says
Delicious!! Thank you for the recipe. I can’t wait to make it again lol
staysnatched says
yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
Anthony says
Forgot to rate 🙂 5 stars
staysnatched says
Thank you for adding them!
Angela Crawford says
These fries are delicious and perfectly crisp. If you follow the directions they come out perfect!
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad they worked for you by following the directions.
Andrea says
Your 2 sweet potatoes weighed 7 pounds together? Those are some monstrous sweet potatoes!
staysnatched says
YEP!
Andrea says
Your 2 sweet potatoes weighed 7 pounds together? Those are some monstrous sweet potatoes!
Amanda says
Tried these today, directions were really clear and came out perfectly crispy! Thanks for the great recipe!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Erin says
These were fantastic! Highly recommend!
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad to hear it.
Haverly Damon says
Easy recipe to follow, quick results, and approved by my mother!
staysnatched says
Love to hear it!
Laura Montgomery says
Made these tonight and they were perfect!!!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it.
Miriam says
Good morning. I want to make these today. If I use frozen sweet potato fries, do I still need to use cornstarch?
staysnatched says
Take a look at the ingredients on your fries. They are likely already coated in a crisping ingredient.
Katie Ann Majeski-Turner says
So good! Wanted something simple to try the air fryer for the first time and these turned out great.
staysnatched says
Glad it turned out great!
Jessics says
My FAVOURITE way to make air fryer sweet potato fries. Works with all sweet potatoes I've tried including Jamaican ones (Japanese sweet potatoes). Thanks so much for this great recipe Brandi!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed them. I love those potatoes!