Sweet potato fries are notoriously hard to crisp, but the air fryer and a light cornflour dusting solve it. You get crisp edges and a soft, sweet centre, with a smoky-savoury spice rub to balance the sweetness.
Everything you need
- 600 g sweet potatoes
- 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp fine salt
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
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Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1 cm fries. Pat them dry.
For this step
- 600 g sweet potatoes
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Toss with the cornflour first, then the oil, paprika, garlic powder and salt.
For this step
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp fine salt
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Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F. Spread the fries out with as much space as possible.
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Air fry for 16 to 20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes, until crisp at the edges.
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Season with extra salt and serve at once, before they soften.
For this step
- ¾ tsp fine salt
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- The cornflour dusting is what crisps sweet potato, which is wetter and sweeter than regular spuds.
- Serve immediately. Sweet potato fries soften faster than potato ones as they cool.
Make it your own
- Add a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon to the rub.
- Serve with a chipotle mayo or garlic aioli dip.
Storing & reheating
Best fresh. Reheat at 190°C for 3 to 4 minutes to bring back some crunch.
Frequently asked
Why are my sweet potato fries soggy?
They were probably crowded, or skipped the cornflour. Dust them lightly, spread them out, and shake the basket often.
Can I leave the skin on?
Yes, scrub them well and leave the skin for extra fibre and a rustic texture. Just cut them evenly.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.