Sweet potatoes are like the underdog of the vegetable world, always there but often overlooked. Yet, when you transform them into crispy air fryer fries, they become the star of the show, stealing the spotlight with their golden edges and soft, sweet centers. I remember stumbling upon this recipe on a rainy afternoon, and let me just say—it was love at first bite!
Steps
- Prepare the Sweet Potato: Trim the ends off a peeled sweet potato and slice it into long, ¼ inch thick spears. Aim for even sizes, and “square off” pointy tips to prevent burning.
- Soak in Ice Water: Fill a large bowl with cold water and add two handfuls of ice cubes. Submerge the sweet potato fries, stir, and let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat and Dry: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Drain the soaked fries, rinse them, and pat dry with a kitchen towel until they are as dry as possible.
- Season the Fries: Toss the dry sweet potato spears in a large bowl with arrowroot starch, pepper, and paprika. Add any additional seasonings if desired, but hold off on the salt. Add a small amount of oil and toss again to ensure even coating.
- Air Fry the Fries: Divide the seasoned sweet potato spears into two batches. Place the first batch in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spaced and not overlapping. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until most are golden brown. Repeat with the second batch.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer the cooked fries to a wire cooling rack, keeping them spaced to avoid steaming. After 5 minutes, add salt and wait another 5 minutes to enhance crispiness. Serve immediately for best results.
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato (approximately 13 ounces) or 2 smaller sweet potatoes
- Arrowroot powder (substitute with corn starch if preferred)
- Less than 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- A pinch of black pepper
- Regular paprika
- Salt (to taste, added at the end)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 250 | Total Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: N/A | Total Carbohydrates: 43g | Dietary Fiber: 6g | Sugars: 9g | Protein: 3g
FAQ
- Can I use frozen sweet potato fries instead of fresh ones?
- Yes, you can use frozen sweet potato fries, but it’s not ideal. Freshly cut fries tend to be crispier. If using frozen, add 4-5 minutes to the cooking time. Keep in mind that frozen fries may be pre-salted and contain additives, which can make them slightly soggier compared to homemade ones.
- What should I do if I don’t have arrowroot powder?
- If you don’t have arrowroot powder, you can substitute it with cornstarch. Both work well to achieve the desired crispiness in the fries.
- How should I store and reheat leftover sweet potato fries?
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat and maintain crispiness, use the air fryer at 380°F for about 2 minutes. While you can use a microwave, it may soften the fries, which is not recommended for maintaining their texture.
- Why do I need to soak the sweet potato fries in ice water?
- Soaking the fries in ice water helps to remove excess starch, which contributes to their crispiness when air frying. It’s recommended to soak for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for the best results.
- What’s the best way to achieve even cooking in the air fryer?
- For even cooking, ensure the fries are spaced out in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook in small batches if necessary, and flip the fries halfway through the cooking time to ensure all sides are evenly cooked.
Tips
- Soak for Crispiness: To achieve maximum crispiness, soak the cut sweet potato spears in a cold water and ice bath for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for the best results. This step helps remove excess starch, enhancing their crunch once air-fried.
- Ensure Thorough Drying: After soaking, dry the sweet potato fries thoroughly with a kitchen towel to remove all excess moisture. This ensures the fries crisp up properly instead of steaming in the air fryer.
- Season Strategically: Avoid adding salt until after cooking to prevent the fries from drawing out moisture and becoming soggy. Season with salt after cooking and resting to maintain their crisp texture.
- Cook in Batches: Place the fries in the air fryer in a single, non-overlapping layer. Cooking in small batches ensures even cooking and prevents steaming, which can make the fries less crispy.
Equipment
- Air Fryer – Essential for cooking the fries to achieve the crispy texture.
- Wire Cooling Rack – Useful for letting the fries cool and crisp up after air frying.
