Recipe This | Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges (2024)

FAQs

Why soak sweet potatoes before air frying? ›

If you'd like, you can soak the sweet potato slices for 30 minutes up to 2 hours before frying to remove excess starch. Personally, though, going through this step didn't make a real difference for my fries. Peels on or off — it's up to you!

If your air fryer fries are turning out soggy it is likely because you are over-crowding your air fryer basket or using too much oil. For the best results, use just ½ Tablespoon of oil per sweet potato and cook your fries in a single layer so that the air has room to circulate.

Don't overcrowd the baking sheet!

This is an important one! If the baking sheet it too crowded, the sweet potatoes will not crisp.

If your air fryer fries are soggy, it is likely because you over-crowded them in the basket. The sweet potatoes steam when crowded together, instead of air frying. For the best, most crispy results, cook the fries in a single layer so that the air has room to circulate.

I wouldn't bother doing potatoes from the raw state, without soaking. It will take about a half an hour and the texture won't be nearly as rewarding. They just don't get very crispy without that cold soak.

If I'm planning to, I rub the sweet potatoes in a small amount of olive oil before baking to crisp them up and add extra flavor. After baking, let the potatoes cool slightly, split the tops open, and dot with butter that will melt from the residual heat. Season with a little salt and pepper, and you're ready to go.

Why do my air fryer sweet potato fries turn black? Sweet potatoes contain a higher concentration of sugar than standard potatoes, and caramelize as they cook in the air fryer. If you find the fries are darkening too quickly or deeply, cook at a lower temperature, or for a shorter period of time.

Season: Leave a bit of water on the potatoes from rinsing so the salt sticks, and sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of salt on each. If using, drizzle with olive oil. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Air Fry: Set the air fryer to 390°F and air fry for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.

Being a rich source of potassium, sweet potatoes help promote a healthy heart. Higher potassium intake helps manage sodium levels and as a result promotes healthier blood pressure, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Sweet potato skins are safe to eat and can be easily added to most recipes. They're rich in fiber, other nutrients, and antioxidants that can help support a healthy gut, increase feelings of fullness, and prevent chronic disease. If you're looking to get the most nutrition out of your sweet potato, keep the peel on.

Why are my sweet potatoes not crispy in the air fryer? ›

Water on your potatoes will keep them from getting crispy and they will just steam. Step 4: Toss with cornstarch first, then oil and seasonings. The cornstarch is another big component to crispy sweet potato fries in the air fryer and in the oven.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

This can be caused by either overcrowding the air fryer basket or adding too much oil to the fries. I recommend cooking the sweet potato fries in a single layer at the bottom of the basket to allow the air to properly circulate and cook the fries. I also recommend not adding more than 1 teaspoon of oil to the fries.

Some recipes for homemade sweet potato fries ask you to soak the fries before cooking. The theory is that soaking draws out starch from inside the potatoes, helping them crisp up. I've tested soaking sweet potato fries many times, and I've found that it doesn't make them much crispier, if at all.

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

Add salt, cayenne pepper, ginger, and sugar or any combination of these spices; stir to combine. Place sweet potatoes in the air fryer in a single layer. Air-fry for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring or shaking sweet potatoes halfway through the air frying time. Serve warm.