Are you looking for snack options? I've made these Spicy Sweet Potato Fries in the air fryer just for you! They are crispy, tasty, and seasoned with flavorful spices. Simply slice the sweet potatoes into thin strips, toss with herbs, and air fry for 12 minutes.
It's chilly outside, and the family wanted something warm, crispy, and comforting. I knew exactly what to make-spicy sweet potato fries.
This recipe is a spicy twist on everyone's favorite classic sweet potato fries, made in the air fryer with simple pantry-staple ingredients.
The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes combined with a hint of heat makes them an irresistible fry.
Perfect for sharing with family and friends(like these spicy nuts or these spicy tortilla chips), or treat yourself to the satisfying homemade sweet potato fries on a cozy afternoon.
Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: Wash thoroughly. It's entirely up to you to remove or leave the skin on. I peeled the skin and sliced it into thin strips using a knife.
- Olive Oil: I used olive oil, but feel free to choose your preferred option.
- Smoked Paprika: I chose smoked paprika for its intense smoky flavors, which work perfectly in this recipe. Feel free to substitute it with regular paprika if that's what you have.
- Chili Powder: For depth of flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper (optional): I added this for extra heat.
- Garlic Powder & Spices: I used a combination of garlic powder, ground cumin, crushed red pepper, ground black pepper, and salt for seasoning.
How To Make Sweet Potato Fries
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Slice them into ¼-inch-thick fries. You can also leave the skin on if you prefer.
- In a big bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil. Add paprika, chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until well-coated.
- Add the fries, air fryer basket, or tray.
- Air fry for 12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, tossing in between. Remove them from the basket and serve with a dipping sauce(see below for suggestions).
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
These spicy sweet potato fries taste with a gentle heat.
- The spiciness of these sweet potato fries comes mainly from the cayenne pepper, with a bit from the chili powder.
- You can easily adjust the quantities of these ingredients to match your personal heat tolerance.
- Use less cayenne pepper and substitute with mild chili powder for a gentler spice level.
- Add more cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper for an extra kick.
The Leftovers
You can repurpose leftover spicy sweet potato fries in various ways-use them as a topping for salads, dinner bowls, burgers, sliders, or quesadillas. Feel free to experiment and enjoy!
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. For more extended storage, freeze them for up to three months.
- To freeze, first lay them out on a tray and place them in the freezer until partially frozen(easier for reheating). Then, transfer them to a Ziploc bag and store them in the freezer.
- To reheat, no need to thaw. Spread the frozen fries on an air fryer tray and heat them at 375°F for 5-7 minutes or until warm and crispy.
Pro Tips For Best Results
Cut them into uniform sizes: This may seem minor, but it plays a significant role in achieving evenly roasted, crispy, and spicy sweet potato fries. Uniform sizes ensure that all the fries cook evenly and perfectly crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serve with creamy, cool dipping sauces like ketchup, mayo, or aioli (see below for more ideas). Serve as loaded chips with fried chicken/meat, burgers/sandwiches/hot dogs.
Yes, absolutely! Leaving the skin on is my favorite way to enjoy sweet potato fries, which adds flavor. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly and gently scrub off any dirt. Also, remove any "eyes" or blemishes before cutting.
Enjoy with classic choices like ketchup or mustard. And my go-to sauces for this recipe are a jalapeño mayo, a chili aioli, or this Greek yogurt sriracha sauce.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 1 lbs sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper /optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper /optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes (or leave the skin if you prefer). Slice them into ¼-inch thick fries.
- To a large bowl, add the fries, olive oil, paprika, chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, ground black pepper, and salt.
- Toss until the fries are evenly coated with seasonings.
- Place the fries in the air fryer basket or tray.
- Airfry for 12 minutes or until the fries turn crispy and golden brown.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce like ketchup, ranch, or aioli. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by adding more cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper for extra spice, or reduce the cayenne for a milder flavor.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Lay fries on a tray to freeze before transferring to a Ziploc bag.
- Reheat directly from frozen by air-frying at 375°F for 5 minutes or until crispy and warm.
