Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries (Printable Version)

Golden sweet potato fries air-fried to crispness, served with a zesty garlic aioli for dipping.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sweet Potato Fries

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch, optional for enhanced crispiness

→ Garlic Aioli

08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries using a sharp chef's knife on a cutting board.
02 - Place cut fries in a bowl of cold water and soak for 20 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain thoroughly and pat completely dry with a clean kitchen towel.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, toss dried fries with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cornstarch if using until evenly coated.
04 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
05 - Arrange seasoned fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until fries achieve a golden and crispy exterior.
06 - While fries cook, combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Transfer hot sweet potato fries to a serving vessel and present garlic aioli in a small bowl on the side for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They crisp up perfectly in the air fryer without deep frying, so your kitchen stays cool and your clothes don't smell like oil for three days.
  • The garlic aioli tastes like something you'd order at a fancy place, but takes five minutes to throw together in a bowl.
  • Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, so these fries feel indulgent even though they're genuinely better for you than the regular kind.
02 -
  • Do not skip the soaking step—I tried once thinking it was unnecessary and ended up with limp, mealy fries that reminded me why that step exists in the first place.
  • The cornstarch is genuinely optional but absolutely worth having on hand, since that one tablespoon is what transforms regular air-fried fries into something that rivals actual deep fried ones in terms of crispiness.
03 -
  • Buy sweet potatoes that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly, and don't stress too much about perfection—slightly irregular fries actually crisp up better because of the varied surface area.
  • The real magic happens in the last few minutes of cooking when the edges start to brown, so don't set a timer and walk away—stay nearby and listen for when they start sounding crispier.
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