Description

These homemade sweet potato fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, achieved through a secret cornstarch coating and proper air frying technique. They are ready in about 20 minutes of active time and offer a healthier alternative to takeout.

Ingredients

Scale

2 large sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
2 tablespoons cornstarch (15g)
1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (2g)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (2g)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (0.5g)
½ teaspoon sea salt (divided)
½ teaspoon black pepper (1g)

Instructions

Wash sweet potatoes and cut them into uniform sticks, about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
Place cut fries in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 15-30 minutes to draw out excess starch.
Drain the water and pat the fries completely dry using paper towels. Ensure they are dry to the touch.
Return dry fries to the bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat lightly.
Drizzle with olive oil and add garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and half the salt. Toss until fries are evenly coated and glistening.
Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
Arrange fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if necessary.
Cook for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping fries halfway through (around 8 minutes).
Remove fries when golden brown and crispy. Immediately sprinkle with remaining salt.
Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Do not skip the soaking or drying steps, as moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket, which causes steaming instead of frying. Serve immediately as they lose crunch quickly. For leftovers, reheat in the air fryer at 380°F for 3-4 minutes; do not microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
Calories: 120
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 150
Fat: 3
Saturated Fat: 0.5
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 3
Protein: 2

Keywords: air fryer, sweet potato fries, crispy fries, healthy snacks, gluten-free, vegan, quick recipes, side dishes