Best Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with Brown Sugar

If you ask me, air fryer sweet potato fries are a game-changer.

These crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside fries get an extra special treatment with a sprinkle of brown sugar that caramelizes just right. The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs perfectly with that touch of warmth from the brown sugar.

They’re made with minimal oil thanks to the magic of the air fryer, giving you that satisfying crunch without the mess of deep frying. A quick toss in seasoning and brown sugar before cooking is all it takes to make these irresistible.

It’s a side dish that both kids and adults love, perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend snacking.

What Kind of Sweet Potatoes Should I Use?

For making sweet potato fries, you’ll find two main types at most grocery stores – the orange-fleshed Jewel or Garnet sweet potatoes, and the lighter-colored Japanese sweet potatoes. The orange varieties tend to be sweeter and softer when cooked, making them perfect for this recipe since we’re adding brown sugar. Look for sweet potatoes that feel firm and heavy for their size, with smooth skin free from any soft spots or blemishes. If you’re shopping ahead, sweet potatoes can last up to two weeks when stored in a cool, dark place – just don’t keep them in the fridge, as this can affect their taste and texture.

Options for Substitutions

This simple air fryer recipe can be tweaked in several ways to match your pantry or dietary needs:

• Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are really the star here and can’t be substituted if you want the same taste and texture. However, you can use any variety of sweet potato – white, purple, or orange all work great!
• Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil works well here – try avocado oil, coconut oil, or even melted butter. Just make sure to use something with a higher smoke point for air frying.
• Brown sugar: You can swap brown sugar with maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar. If using a liquid sweetener, use about 2 teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon to prevent the fries from getting too wet.
• Cinnamon: While cinnamon pairs perfectly with sweet potatoes, you could try pumpkin pie spice or just a pinch of nutmeg for a different flavor profile. You can also skip it completely for plain sweet fries.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying

The biggest mistake when making air fryer sweet potato fries is overcrowding the basket, which prevents the hot air from circulating properly and leaves you with soggy fries instead of crispy ones – work in batches if needed and arrange the fries in a single layer with some space between them. Another common error is cutting the sweet potato pieces unevenly, leading to some fries being overcooked while others remain undercooked – aim for uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking. To get the crispiest results, make sure to pat the sweet potato pieces completely dry before tossing them with oil and seasonings, as excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness. For the best caramelization, wait until the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to add the brown sugar mixture, preventing it from burning while still achieving that perfect sweet coating.

What to Serve With Sweet Potato Fries?

These sweet and crispy fries make an awesome side dish that pairs well with so many main courses! Since they have a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar and cinnamon, they’re particularly good alongside savory dishes like grilled chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, or pulled pork. For dipping, try mixing some maple syrup into mayo for a sweet-savory sauce that complements the fries perfectly. You can also keep things simple with classic ketchup or get fancy with a spicy chipotle aioli that balances out the sweetness of the fries.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These sweet potato fries are best enjoyed right away while they’re hot and crispy! But if you have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just know they might lose some of their crispiness as they sit.

Make Ahead: Want to prep ahead? You can peel and cut your sweet potatoes up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep them submerged in cold water in the fridge to prevent browning. When you’re ready to cook, drain and pat them completely dry before seasoning.

Crisp Up: To bring back some crispiness to leftover fries, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes. The microwave works too, but they’ll stay softer. Either way, they’re still super tasty – just different from fresh!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-12 minutes
Total Time	20-27 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-450
• Protein: 5-10 g
• Fat: 15-20 g
• Carbohydrates: 70-80 g

Ingredients

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt (fine sea salt works best for even coating)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (I use California Olive Ranch extra virgin)
• 1.5 lb sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1/4-inch by 3-inch fries)

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

Start by peeling the sweet potatoes.

Once peeled, cut them into 1-inch chunks.

This size ensures even cooking and a tender texture.

Step 2: Season the Potatoes

In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato chunks with olive oil, a pinch of salt, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Toss everything together until the potato pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning.

This will give your sweet potatoes a delicious sweet and savory flavor.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.

This brief preheating period ensures that the air fryer is at the optimal temperature for cooking, resulting in perfectly crisp sweet potatoes.

Step 4: Cook the Potatoes

Once the air fryer is preheated, add the seasoned sweet potatoes to the air fryer basket or tray.

Cook them using the air fry setting at 400°F (204°C) for 10-12 minutes.

Be sure to shake the basket or stir the potatoes halfway through cooking for even browning and crispiness.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the sweet potatoes from the air fryer once they’re crispy and tender.

Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your sweet and flavorful air-fried sweet potatoes as a delightful side dish or snack!