Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries (Printable)

Golden air-fried sweet potato fries served with creamy garlic aioli for a flavorful snack.

# What You Need:

→ Sweet Potato Fries

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes, approximately 1.75 pounds
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 crispness

→ 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries with uniform thickness.
02 - Submerge fries in a bowl of cold water and soak for 20 minutes to eliminate excess starch. Drain thoroughly and pat completely dry with a kitchen towel.
03 - Combine fries with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cornstarch if using. Toss until all pieces are evenly coated.
04 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
05 - Place seasoned fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in multiple batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket at the midpoint. Continue until fries achieve a golden color and crispy texture.
07 - While fries cook, combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to achieve desired flavor.
08 - Transfer hot sweet potato fries to a serving plate and present garlic aioli in a separate bowl for dipping.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're genuinely crispy outside and tender inside without needing a splash of oil heating up your kitchen in summer.
  • The garlic aioli tastes restaurant-quality but takes about as long as making a sandwich, and honestly tastes better than most store-bought versions.
02 -
  • That 20-minute soak is genuinely non-negotiable—skip it once to save time, and you'll have limp, disappointing fries that'll teach you the hard way.
  • Your air fryer's temperature might run hot or cool compared to others, so the first time, check them at 15 minutes rather than walking away for the full 20.
03 -
  • Cut your sweet potatoes slightly thinner than you think necessary because they shrink as they cook, and you want them substantial enough to have texture, not brittle.
  • If your fries aren't as crispy as you'd like, your next batch will improve if you let them soak the full 20 minutes—I promise this works.
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