Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries (Printable)

Crispy air-fried sweet potato fries served with a zesty garlic aioli dip, perfect for a tasty snack or side.

# What you need:

→ Sweet Potato Fries

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes (approximately 1.75 lbs)
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)

→ Garlic Aioli

08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to make it:

01 - Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch thick matchstick fries using a sharp 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, then drain thoroughly and pat completely dry with a kitchen towel.
03 - Toss dried fries in a mixing bowl with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cornstarch until 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 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 desired.
07 - Transfer hot sweet potato fries to a serving dish and present alongside garlic aioli for dipping.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • These fries are genuinely crispy on the outside and tender inside without the grease guilt of deep frying.
  • The garlic aioli is so simple but tastes like something you'd order at a proper restaurant.
  • Everything comes together in under forty minutes, making this perfect for unexpected cravings or last-minute entertaining.
02 -
  • Skipping the soaking step might save fifteen minutes, but you'll lose the crispiness that makes these special—the starch removal is non-negotiable.
  • Don't crowd the air fryer basket even if it means cooking in batches, because fries piled on top of each other will steam and become soft rather than crisp.
  • The garlic aioli can be made hours ahead and actually tastes better when the flavors have time to meld, so prepare it the morning of if you'd like less to do when hunger strikes.
03 -
  • Use a rasp or box grater for your garlic instead of mincing it if you have one—it distributes the flavor more evenly throughout the aioli.
  • Keep your air fryer basket clean and lightly oil it before cooking, which helps prevent any sticking and contributes to even browning.
  • For extra crispy fries, try tossing them halfway through cooking not just for even cooking, but also to shake off any moisture that's released during the cooking process.
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