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Frozen Sweet Potato Fries In a Air Fryer

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Air-frying frozen sweet potato fries is a speedy method to achieve crispy fries without deep-frying. This cost-effective side dish can be ready in as little as 20 minutes. Just toss your frozen fries into the air fryer basket, and follow the cooking instructions and my expert tips. You will have a delicious side dish in no time.

Sweet potato fries in a jar.

The sweet potatoes’ natural sugars and high heat from the air fryer create a perfectly crisp fry texture. Add seasonings to take your fries to the next level, and dip them into your favorite sauce. Combining all three, air-fired sweet potatoes, seasonings, and the perfect dipping sauce make the perfect fries!

Did I mention the bonus of air-fried french fries? There is minimal clean-up, and your house won’t smell like a deep-fat fryer. Try frozen broccoli in air fryer or zucchini fries for additional vegetables prepared in an air fryer.

This recipe also works great with traditional white potato fries, curly fries, tater tots, waffle fries, steak fries, and potato wedges. Ok, I admit it, the air fryer works with every type of fry possible.

Equipment and Ingredients You Need

Three ingredients used in making the recipe.

Air Fryer – If you are looking for an air fryer, they come in many sizes and styles. I have two different ones, and they work great. I recommend this 2.6qt dash compact air fryer or the 7qt Gourmia air fryer.

Frozen Sweet Potatoes -I use Alexia sweet potato fries; they are easy to find at my supermarket and taste great. However, many popular brands exist, including Costco, Ore Ida, and Trader Joe’s. Generally, the cook times are similar. However, check every 5 minutes to see how the fries are doing. You might need to adjust the time depending on the cut of the fry.

Neutral Oil – I recommend using cooking spray. They are convenient and easy while minimizing the amount of oil used. Good oils include olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil.

Seasonings (optional) – Use your favorite seasonings or read the section titled ‘seasoning Ideas‘ for suggestions.

Dipping Sauces (optional) – Use your favorite dipping sauce or read the ‘dipping sauce’ section for ideas.

Fries spilling out on a plate.

Instructions to Make Fries

Making fries is super easy. Here is how you do it.

Step One: Preheat the Air Fryer –

Oil the basket. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes.

Step Two: Air Fry –

Add the frozen sweet potato fries to the air fryer basket. At a maximum, only fill the basket to the halfway point. Cook for 12-14 minutes, shaking the fries halfway through. For extra crispiness, lightly spray the fries with cooking spray before placing them in the basket.

Note: depending on the size of your fry, you might need to adjust the cooking time. Thinner fries will cook for less time, and thicker fries will require additional cooking time.

Step Three: Season and Serve –

Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer basket and season them with salt or any other desired seasoning. Serve immediately while still hot and crispy.

Note: It is important to remember that frozen fries are usually pre-cooked, so you do not need to cook them for as long as you would with fresh fries. Overcooking them can result in burned fries.

Cooking Time

Loving the crispiest of fries, I wanted to do a time test to see a perfect time. I tested fries cooked at 5 minutes on each side, 6 minutes on each side, and 7 minutes on each side. Fries cooked for seven minutes had a deeper color and were crispier; overall, I did not feel the additional cook time made that much difference in the texture.

Example of fries cooked for 5 minutes, 5 minutes and 7 minutes on each side.

Seasoning Ideas

What I love about sweet potato fries is how seasonings complement the potato’s, natural sweetness. I have been experimenting with seasonings and trying different flavors. By far, my favorite is Slap Ya Momma Cajun season. Slap Ya Mamma has a salty, peppery taste, which compliments the sweetness of the potato to create a sweet, salty, and spicy combination.

Here are some other combination ideas

SeasoningDescriptionMeasurements (Per One Cup of Fries)
Brown Sugar and ChiliA sweet and spicy seasoning made with brown sugar and chili1 tbsp brown sugar 1/2 tsp chili
Cajun SeasoningA spicy blend of herbs and spices with a hint of sweetness1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
Cinnamon SugarA sweet and spicy seasoning made with cinnamon and sugar1 tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Chili PowderIt adds a spicy flavor to the fries. Try Aleppo, chipotle, or regular chili powder.1 tsp chili powder
Curry PowderAdds a warm and slightly spicy flavor to the fries1 tbsp curry powder
Garlic PowderAdds a savory and slightly pungent flavor to the fries1 tsp garlic powder
Maple Syrup and BaconA sweet and savory combination of maple syrup and baconDrizzle maple syrup and crumbled bacon on top of the fries
PaprikaAdds a slightly sweet and smoky flavor to the fries1 tsp paprika
Parmesan CheeseAdds a salty and savory flavor to the fries1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Smoked PaprikaAdds a smoky and slightly sweet taste to the fries1 tsp smoked paprika
TurmericAdds a warm and somewhat earthy flavor to the fries1 tsp turmeric

Dipping Sauces

The sweetness in sweet potato fries lends itself to a wide variety of dipping sauces. My favorite is barbeque sauce, while my husband loves spicy sriracha aioli. I included a few ideas if you want a new and creative sauce to dip your fries in.

Expert Tips

Preheat the Air Fryer: I always recommend it, even if the instructions say you do not have to preheat it. Preheating helps create a crispy texture.

Don’t overcrowd the basket: I know it can be tempting to overcrowd, but only fill the basket to the halfwayOvercrowding point. Overcrowding the basket causes the fries to steam instead of crisp. Steamed fries are soggy, and honestly, no one likes soggy fries.

Shake the basket: The air circulates around the fries. However, the bottom of the basket tends to be the hottest point of the air fryer. Shaking the basket mixes up the fries and helps them to cook evenly. I recommend shaking every 4-5 minutes. While this is not a hard and fast time, it serves a dual purpose and allows me to keep an eye on fries from overcooking.

Cook using frozen fries: The moisture in room-temperature fries results in the oil to steam. On the other hand, with frozen fries, the oil makes a crispier fry.

Fries spilling out of the air fryer basket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make sweet potato fries from scratch and air fry them?

Yes, you absolutely can make sweet potato fries using a fresh sweet potato. Slice the sweet potatoes into fry-shaped pieces and place them in the air fryer. I recommend slicing the fries into a consistent size for the best results.

Can I use oil when air-frying sweet potato fries?

Yes, I recommend lightly spraying the fries with a neutral-flavored oil. Remember, a little goes a long way, and air frying differs from deep frying.  

How do I prevent sweet potato fries from sticking to the air fryer basket?

To prevent sweet potato fries from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly spray the bottom with cooking spray.

Can I season sweet potato fries before air frying?

Yes, you can season sweet potato fries before air-frying them. I have done seasoned before, during, and after. I think they all taste delicious, and I cannot taste the difference between the three methods.

How do I store sweet potato fries?

Store your leftover fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat the fries, place them in the oven or air fryer at 400°F for a few minutes until they’re crispy. Do not microwave the fries; they will turn soggy.

Sweet potato fries in a jar.

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries In a Air Fryer

Air-frying frozen sweet potato fries is a speedy method to achieve crispy fries without deep-frying. This cost-effective side dish can be ready in as little as 20 minutes. Just toss your frozen fries into the air fryer basket, and follow the cooking instructions and my expert tips. You will have a delicious side dish in no time.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: All Day
Cuisine: American
Diet:
Keyword: Fries, Sweet Potato
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce Frozen sweet potato fries
  • 1 Cooking spray
  • 1 seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  • Step One: Preheat the Air fryer – Oil the basket. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes.
  • Step Two: Air Fry- Add the frozen sweet potato fries to the air fryer basket. At a maximum, only fill the basket to the halfway point. Cook for 12-14 minutes, shaking the fries halfway through. For extra crispiness, lightly spray the fries with cooking spray before placing them in the basket.
    Note: depending on the size of your fry, you might need to adjust the cooking time. Thinner fries will cook for less time, and thicker fries will require additional cooking time.
    16 ounce Frozen sweet potato fries, 1 Cooking spray
  • Step Three: Season and Serve – Once the fries are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer basket and season as desired. Serve immediately while still hot and crispy.
    1 seasoning (optional)

Notes

See the post for seasoning and dipping sauce ideas.
Nutrial information based on Alexia sweet potato fries. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Frozen Sweet Potato Fries In a Air Fryer
Amount Per Serving (3 ounces)
Calories 160 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Sodium 140mg6%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 1g2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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