Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries (Printable version)

Crispy air-fried sweet potato fries paired with creamy, zesty garlic aioli for a tasty snack or side.

# What You'll 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 crispiness

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch thick fries using a chef's knife on a cutting board.
02 - Place cut fries in a bowl of cold water and soak for 20 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain thoroughly and pat completely dry with a kitchen towel.
03 - Toss dried fries with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cornstarch if using, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Arrange seasoned fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until fries are golden and crispy.
06 - While fries cook, combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Transfer hot sweet potato fries to a serving dish and present garlic aioli in a separate small bowl for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Golden, crispy fries that taste indulgent but actually let you feel good about eating them.
  • The garlic aioli is so addictive you'll find yourself making extra just for snacking straight from the bowl.
  • Minimal cleanup and zero babysitting required, unlike traditional deep frying.
02 -
  • Skipping the soak makes fries soggy instead of crispy—I learned this the hard way and wasted an entire batch.
  • Cornstarch is optional but genuinely transforms the texture; if you use it, make sure it's evenly distributed or some fries will be too starchy.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or they'll steam instead of fry, no matter how long you cook them.
03 -
  • If fries start looking too dark but still feel soft inside, lower the temperature by 10 degrees and add a few extra minutes—every air fryer runs slightly differently.
  • Reheating leftover fries in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 180°C brings back almost all the original crispiness, unlike a microwave which just makes them sad.
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