Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer sweet potato fries, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

•  Sweet Potatoes – Use orange sweet potatoes like I did, or change it up with white ones or even yams. If you want to use white potatoes instead, I have a separate recipe for air fryer fries here.
• Olive Oil – Gets the fries crispy, helps the seasoning stick, and locks in moisture — but you need less oil than with other methods. Avocado oil works just as well!
• Seasonings – I kept it simple with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, but you can season these however you like! Check out more seasoning ideas below. 👇

How To Cut The Fries

I leave the skin on for texture and nutrients, but you can peel them before slicing if you want.

To cut the sweet potatoes into fries, slice them lengthwise first, then stack the slices and cut into strips. If your sweet potatoes are large, I recommend then stacking the strips and cutting crosswise to make them shorter. 3-4 inches long is a good size.

The ideal thickness for this recipe is 3/8 inch — thicker than 1/4 inch but thinner than 1/2 inch. This gives you the perfect balance of crispy outside and soft inside. If you want larger wedges, use my other air fryer sweet potato recipe.

How To Make Sweet Potato Fries In The Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Soak the fries. Submerge them in cold water for at least 20 minutes (or overnight), then drain and pat dry.
2. Toss with seasonings. In a very large mixing bowl, toss the fries with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread them out. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
4. Air fry until crispy. Cook the air fryer sweet potato fries in batches, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and golden brown. Repeat until all the fries are done—it usually takes me 3-4 batches for 2 pounds.

Seasoning Variations

I love a basic seasoning, but try these additions if you want something extra:

• Dried Herbs – A teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme pairs well here.
• Warm Spices – Cinnamon or cumin pairs well with sweet potatoes.
• Heat – For a kick, add a teaspoon of chili powder or 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
• Seasoning Blends – Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning is awesome on air fryer sweet potato fries! Keep in mind that my Cajun seasoning already includes salt, so don’t add extra if you use it.
• Maple Syrup – Drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons for some caramelization. This works with my sugar-free maple syrup, too.

Serving Ideas

Air fryer sweet potato fries pair well with so many proteins! Here are my go-to options:

• Beef – My classic beef burgers are always juicy and a perfect match for these fries, but I also love mixing it up with a turkey burger or salmon burger for something different! If you’re craving a steak, my skirt steak recipe is super easy and the juiciest steak I’ve ever had.
• Chicken – I like to bake chicken breasts or chicken legs in the oven while I have the sweet potato fries in the air fryer. If you prefer to air fry your entire meal for less cleanup, make the fries first. Then you can air fry chicken tenders quickly, and then toss the fries back in the basket for 1-2 minutes to crisp up before serving.
• Pork – Sizzle a tender pork steak or whip up my juicy air fryer pork chops for an easy meal.
• Sauce – My family loves dunking these in ranch dressing or honey mustard, but you can use your favorite dipping sauce. Try my sugar-free ketchup (pictured above), tahini sauce, or aioli.