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Crispy air fryer sweet potato fries with a tender center and big flavor, made with one sweet potato and simple pantry seasonings. You’ll get restaurant-quality fries right in your air fryer using just a little oil.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Golden with a Light Crisp: Gently crisp edges with a tender center.
- Perfect Small Batch: Fits in a single layer so every fry cooks evenly.
- Lighter Option: Uses less oil than deep-frying while still delivering great texture.
- Easy to Customize: Tweak the spices or heat level to match your taste.
When I want a quick, flavorful side, I cut one sweet potato into sticks, toss with a little olive oil and simple seasoning, then air fry until the edges have a light crisp and the centers stay tender.
I like serving them with ketchup or a drizzle of ranch dressing. They pair nicely with a reuben sandwich, baked chicken breast, or a burger bowl. Give them a try and see how quickly they become a regular in your kitchen.
Looking for more single serving air fryer recipes? Try our air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer sirloin steak, air fryer chocolate chip cookies, and air fryer pork chop recipes.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch air fryer sweet potato fries recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Sweet Potato (1 large, about 8 to 8.5 ounces): The main ingredient, cut into evenly sized fries for consistent cooking.
- Olive Oil: Helps the fries crisp and brown without deep-frying.
- Seasonings: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. I prefer the smokiness of smoked paprika, but regular paprika is a great substitute. You can also add onion powder or a pinch of cayenne for heat.
How To Cook Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
These photos and instructions help you visualize how make air fryer sweet potato fries. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cut the Sweet Potato: Scrub, peel, and trim the ends. Cut in half lengthwise, then crosswise. Slice into evenly sized fries about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Season the Fries: Add the cut sweet potato fries to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Air Fry: Arrange in a single layer in the basket. Cook for a total of 10 minutes, shaking or flipping at the 5-minute mark. Continue until the fries are golden brown and crisp at the edges.
- Rest and Serve: Let the fries cool for 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite dip.
No air fryer? Bake your sweet potato fries instead…
Try our flavorful small batch oven baked sweet potato fries or small batch sweet potato wedges.
Expert Tips
- Cut Evenly: Uniform sticks cook at the same rate for maximum crispiness.
- Preheat First: A hot basket helps the fries start crisping right away.
- Single Layer Only: Space is the secret. If needed, cook in batches so hot air can circulate all around.
- Shake Halfway: Shake the basket or flip the fries at 5 minutes for even browning.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Soaking can help with crispness, but it isn’t required for great results with this small batch.
About 10 minutes, plus a 5-minute rest. Thicker cuts may need a minute or two more.
It’s up to you. Peel for a smoother bite or leave the skin on for extra texture.
Air fry at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until hot and crisp.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this air fryer sweet potato fries recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Small Batch Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (8 to 8.5 oz) sweet potato
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Wash, peel, and trim the ends of the sweet potato. Cut it in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half again crosswise. Slice into evenly sized fries about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Add the cut sweet potato fries to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
- Place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the fries halfway through. They’re ready when the edges are lightly crisp and golden brown.
Notes
- Cut Evenly: Uniform sticks cook at the same rate for maximum crispiness.
- Preheat First: A hot basket helps the fries start crisping right away.
- Single Layer Only: Space is the secret. If needed, cook in batches so hot air can circulate all around.
- Shake Halfway: Shake the basket or flip the fries at 5 minutes for even browning.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
