Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Move over french fries; there’s a new favorite fry in town! Sweet potato fries have quickly become a comfort food phenomenon, and there’s a good reason why. They are incredibly delicious and super easy to make. And of course, they’re waaay healthier than traditional french fries—especially when you air fry them instead of deep frying!

Sweet and salty, crunchy and soft, this is the most perfect sweet potato recipe I’ve tried so far. Are you intrigued? You need to try them yourself! All you’ll need is an air fryer, a sharp chef’s knife, a large sweet potato or yam, salt, and red pepper flakes.

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Why Make Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

Air frying gives you that perfect fry texture—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—without deep frying or heating up your kitchen. It’s quicker than baking, and you don’t need to babysit a skillet full of hot oil. Plus, cleanup is a breeze and they get that irresistible golden color with just a tiny bit of oil. Win-win-win.

Do I Really Need To Air Fry These?

Air fryers are all the rage these days, and for a good reason. They enable us to fry up our favorite foods without massive amounts of oil. You can air fry most things with just a tiny drizzle of vegetable oil—or you can even skip the oil altogether if you’re going for ultimate health. This can save you money (oil can be pricey!), reduce food waste (a lot of deep frying oil is thrown away), eliminate messy cleanup (deep frying can get real nasty), and it’s infinitely better for your health.

We can all agree on trying to be our healthiest, most of the time, right? But when it comes to fries, you want the full experience. We tried a dozen versions of oven-baked sweet potato fries but none of them came close to these air fryer fries, which crisp up on the outside, while the inside gets perfectly soft and sweet. Just be warned: they’re totally addictive.

If you’ve been on the fence about getting an air fryer, I encourage you to dive in! Mine sat unused on my shelf for months (just like my Instant Pot did) before I started keeping it on my counter and now I use it all the time. Like—almost every day. You can use it to make vegan chicken nuggets, crispy tofu, air-fried veggies, and more.

Ingredients Needed

You don’t need much to make the ultimate crispy sweet potato fry in the air fryer. Just your potato, a little oil and some seasonings, and you’re good to go! Here are the key ingredients:

Sweet Potato or Yam: Look for large orange-fleshed ones. They crisp up beautifully in the air fryer and give you that rich, slightly sweet flavor.
Oil: I use canola oil, but any neutral oil like avocado or grapeseed works well here. A light coating helps with browning and that signature crispy edge.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a little kick! Totally optional, but I love the hint of heat.
Salt: Always. Don’t skip it—it brings out the natural sweetness and balances the flavors perfectly.

For the full quantities and instructions, scroll to the recipe card below.

Play Around with Shapes

French fries have a very specific “classic” shape, and so do sweet potato fries. Long evenly thick sticks, right? But I’m sure you’re aware there are so many different ways to cut potatoes, and each one is very special. Here are some of our favorites:

Classic Potato Fries (or Belgian fries)
Potato Wedges (thicker and less crunchy)
Waffle Fries (a bit like a net-shaped oval)
Crinkle-Cut Fries (or curly fries)
Steak fries (a thicker version of the classic)
Smiley Fries (a childhood classic)
Round slices (chips)

The round slices are the absolute easiest to make, if you can’t be bothered cutting the hard potato into more creative shapes. Just slice your potato into rounds that are about 1/3 inch thick.

Which is your favorite? No matter which one you choose, they’re sure to taste amazing!

Tips

Don’t overcrowd the basket. They need space to get crispy. If you’re making a big batch, cook them in two rounds.
Cut evenly. Uniform fries = even cooking = no burnt stragglers.
Like them extra crispy? Cook a couple of minutes longer, but keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
Love flavor? Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, or cinnamon depending on your mood.

Best Way to Serve Up Sweet Potato Fries

These fries are the ultimate sidekick. Serve them alongside vegan burgers, wraps, grain bowls, or just enjoy them as a snack with your favorite dip. I love dipping them in ketchup, tahini sauce, vegan ranch, vegan mayo, or even maple mustard if I’m feeling fancy.

You can also load them up with toppings like black beans, avocado, and salsa (like this tomatillo salsa) for a fun twist on loaded fries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these oil-free?

Yes! They won’t be quite as crispy, but they’ll still be tasty. Just be sure to shake them halfway through to prevent sticking and allow for even cooking.

Do I need to soak the sweet potatoes first?

Nope! These turn out beautifully without soaking. Just slice and go.

Can I use white sweet potatoes?

Sure! They tend to be drier and less sweet than orange ones but still work great.

What’s the best way to cut sweet potato fries?

Use a sharp chef’s knife and slice them lengthwise, laying the flat side down for stability. Aim for even, fry-shaped spears for the best results.