Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Name: Crispy Sweet Potato Fries - Oven or Air Fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4 large sweet potatoes), peeled if desired; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

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Crispy sweet potato fries are baked to perfection in the oven or air fryer! They are the perfect balance of sweet and salty and ready to eat in just 30 minutes!

sweet potato fries and dipping sauce on tan plate

Crispy baked sweet potato fries have it all: sweet and salty, crispy and delicious! They make a great side for everything from steaks to burgers to baked chicken breast. I love that these crispy fries are a family-friendly side dish that even my pickiest eater loves.

Why I love this recipe

no deep frying required
sweet potatoes are a great source of beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C as well as antioxidants and fiber (source)

Love sweet potatoes? You’ll also want to try our sweet potato casserole, slow cooker sweet potatoes with bacon, mashed sweet potatoes, and oven-roasted sweet potatoes!

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for these tasty fries.

sweet potatoes
olive oil
seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper

Step by step

pouring olive oil on chopped sweet potato fries

sweet potato fries with spices on top in glass bowl

Preheat the oven and prepare 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/4″ thick fries using a sharp chef’s knife. Place the fries in a large bowl and toss with olive oil.
In another small bowl combine the seasonings and stir to mix. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the fries and toss to coat.
Spread the fries in a single layer on the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes or until the bottom of the fries are golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Tips for crispy fries

Be sure to cut your fries thin – 1/4 inch thick at maximum to make sure you get the perfect crispy exterior and soft centers.
Don’t overcrowd the fries, spread in an even layer on a large baking sheet with a little space between the fries. Overcrowded fries will absorb the steam from the other fries and you end up with soggy fries, nobody wants that!
Bake at high heat, baking fries at a lower heat with results in soft fries. Make sure the oven in completely preheated before adding the fries so you get those crispy edges.
Flip the fries mid-way through cooking so they crisp up evenly.

Variations

You can play with the spices in this recipe. For a spicier version try adding a little cayenne pepper or chili powder. Switch up the olive oil with avocado oil if you like as well. They are also delicious served up sprinkled with a little cojita cheese or Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Serving suggestions

These fries are great on their own as a snack or as a side for lunches or dinner. I like to serve them with my favorite dipping sauce or copycat Zax sauce.

FAQs

Do I need to soak sweet potato fries in cold water before baking them?

Unlike regular white potatoes, you do not need to soak sweet potato fries in water to remove excess starch and enjoy crispy fries. These fries crisp up without that extra step.

Can I bake sweet potato fries in the air fryer?

You can make these in the air fryer but you will need to work in batches. Cook at 380 degrees for 6 minutes, flip, and cook an additional 6 minutes or until crisp.

Storage

Store leftover fries in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!