About this recipe

Crispy, lightly seasoned sweet potato fries made effortlessly in the air fryer. A light coating of cornstarch is the secret to achieving that satisfying crunch without deep frying, while a blend of paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of cayenne gives every fry a warm, savory kick. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing side dish any night of the week.

Instructions

1. 1

   Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into uniform ¼-inch sticks, about 3–4 inches long. The more uniform the cut, the more evenly they'll cook. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towel — removing surface moisture is key to crispiness.

2. 2

   Add the dried sweet potatoes sticks to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle over the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), fine sea salt, and black pepper. Toss again until every fry is evenly coated with the seasoned cornstarch mixture.

3. 3

   Preheat your air fryer to ![400°F] for 3 minutes. Working in batches if needed, arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket — do not overcrowd or stack them, as this causes steaming instead of crisping.

4. 4

   Air fry at ![400°F] for 10 minutes, then shake the basket or use tongs to flip the fries. Continue cooking for another 8–10 minutes, until the edges are golden and crispy. Watch closely in the last few minutes — sweet potatoes can go from perfectly crisp to overdone quickly.

5. 5

   Transfer the fries to a plate and taste for seasoning, adding a pinch more fine sea salt if desired. Serve immediately — sweet potatoes fries are at their crispiest right out of the air fryer. Pair with your favorite dipping sauce such as chipotle mayo, garlic aioli, or ketchup.