Name: Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium to large sweet potato; 1 teaspoon chili powder; ½ teaspoon sea salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 29 reviews

Oh, I just have to share this Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe with you because it’s become a total game-changer in my kitchen. These fries hit that perfect balance of crispy outside and tender inside, and the warming spices give them a little kick that feels both comforting and exciting. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll reach for sweet potatoes a lot more often when you want a snack or side that’s a little healthier but still super satisfying.

This Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe works wonders when you’re craving something crunchy but don’t want to deal with the mess or oil of traditional frying. Plus, it comes together so quickly! I keep these in mind whenever I’m short on time but want to wow guests or just treat myself. They’re great all year round but somehow feel extra cozy on cooler evenings.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredient List: Uses just a few pantry spices and a sweet potato, making it easy to prep anytime.
Healthier Frying: Uses an air fryer for crispy texture with minimal oil—less guilt, all the deliciousness.
Perfect Spice Blend: Chili powder, cumin, and black pepper add warm complexity without overpowering the sweetness.
Customizable Crispiness: You can easily adjust cook time for your preferred crunch level.

A white plate filled with a pile of golden orange sweet potato wedges arranged in layers, some stacked over others, showing a slightly crisp and seasoned texture. On the right side of the plate sits a small silver cup filled with bright red ketchup, smooth and shiny. Fresh green chopped parsley is sprinkled lightly over the wedges and around the plate, adding color contrast. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with some green parsley stems and leaves placed loosely in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe plays a key role in building layers of flavor and texture. A good sweet potato is essential for sweetness and nutrition, while the spices bring warmth and zing. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind when shopping.

Sweet potato: Look for firm, unblemished sweet potatoes with a vibrant orange interior for the best sweetness and texture.
Chili powder: Adds a smoky, slightly spicy note that wakes up the fries—choose a fresh, good-quality powder for maximum flavor.
Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors naturally without being harsh like regular table salt.
Black pepper: Gives a subtle, fresh heat that complements the chili powder.
Ground cumin: Brings an earthy, warm undertone to balance the spiciness and sweetness.
Olive oil: Just a touch to help the spices stick and promote golden crispiness in the air fryer.
Fresh parsley (optional): Adds a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness when garnished at the end.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe is — it’s a great canvas to get creative! Sometimes I turn up the heat with extra chili powder or swap in smoked paprika for a softer smoky note. You should definitely feel free to tweak the spices to match your mood.

Variation: When I’m craving something sweeter, I add a sprinkle of cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar to the spice mix—pure comfort food.
Diet-friendly swaps: For a low sodium version, reduce or omit the salt and boost with lemon zest or your favorite herb blends instead.
Extra crispy: Try giving the wedges a quick spray of cooking oil halfway through cooking if you want an extra crunchy outside.
Herbaceous twist: Topping with fresh cilantro or rosemary instead of parsley can change the flavor profile surprisingly well!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Sweet Potatoes

First things first: I always preheat my air fryer to 400 degrees to set the stage for those crispy fries. While it’s heating up, I take a medium to large sweet potato and cut it into 8 even wedges—cutting them uniform in size is key for even cooking. I find that handling the wedges carefully helps keep the edges intact, giving a nicer crunch once cooked.

Step 2: Mix Your Spice Blend and Toss

Next, I whisk together chili powder, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cumin in a small bowl. Then I drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil over the sweet potato wedges—too much oil can weigh them down, but just enough helps everything cling together and crisp up in the air fryer. Using tongs, I toss the wedges well so each piece is evenly coated in the spice blend and oil. This is the moment the kitchen starts smelling amazing!

Step 3: Air Fry and Flip

I place the spiced wedges in a single layer in my air fryer basket and cook them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Halfway through, I flip each wedge… this flipping step is crucial for getting that perfect crisp all around. Then, I air fry for another 10 minutes or until I see those gorgeous golden edges. Cooking times might vary a bit by air fryer model, but this method has worked consistently for me.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve Immediately

Right after pulling the fries out, I sprinkle some fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. These fries are best enjoyed right away, while they’re still hot and crispy. I love dipping them in garlic aioli or a tangy chipotle mayo—feel free to grab your favorite sauces!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Uniform Cuts: Cutting fries to equal sizes helped me get even cooking every time—no more burnt edges or soggy centers!
Don’t Overcrowd: Giving space in the air fryer basket lets hot air circulate, making fries crispier faster.
Oil Ratio: I learned that too much oil makes fries soggy, so I only lightly coat wedges for perfect crisp.
Spice Blend Freshness: Grinding cumin fresh or using recently opened chili powder really boosts the aroma and flavor here.

How to Serve Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

A close-up view shows a woman's hand with red nail polish dipping a long, orange-brown seasoned sweet potato fry into a small silver cup filled with bright red ketchup. Behind this, there is a white plate filled with more sweet potato fries, sprinkled with small green herb pieces. The background is a white marbled surface with scattered green herbs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh parsley is my go-to because it adds a light herbal brightness that contrasts the warm spices—it just makes the dish look and taste fresher. Sometimes I sprinkle a little smoked paprika on top after cooking for an extra smoky flair. A squeeze of lime or lemon juice can brighten things up too if you want a zesty twist!

Side Dishes

I often serve these fries alongside grilled chicken or fish for a balanced meal. They also pair wonderfully with burgers or a hearty salad to add a cozy, flavorful side. If it’s just snack time, they’re perfect on their own with a dipping sauce or two.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served these Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe in cute mini cones lined with parchment paper — it’s fun, mess-free, and totally Instagram-worthy. I’ve also layered them on a platter with dips in small bowls surrounded by fresh veggie sticks for a colorful appetizer spread. Presentation can make simple fries feel fancy and festive!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers — though that’s rare in my house — store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay tasty for up to 2 days, but I recommend reheating to bring back crispiness.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing these fries, and while they freeze well, they lose some crispness after thawing. For best results, freeze the wedges raw and then cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer, adding a couple extra minutes to the cook time.

Reheating

Reheating in the air fryer is my favorite method—it crisps up the edges again beautifully. Simply air fry at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes, tossing halfway through. Oven reheating works too but takes longer and can dry out the fries.

FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes for this Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe?

Absolutely! Regular russet or Yukon gold potatoes work fine, though the cooking time might differ slightly. Sweet potatoes have a firmer texture and natural sweetness that pairs really well with the spices listed, but feel free to experiment with your favorites.
How do I make sure my sweet potato fries are crispy in the air fryer?

Cut your sweet potatoes into similar-sized wedges, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, and use just enough oil to coat them lightly. Flipping halfway through cooks the fries evenly and helps get that crispy crust without drying the inside.
Can I prepare the spice mix ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cumin in advance and store in an airtight jar for weeks. This makes it quick to season your fries whenever the craving hits!
Is this Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe suitable for meal prep?

Definitely! You can prep and store the raw, spiced wedges in the fridge for up to a day, then air fry fresh when you want them. This keeps the fries tasting fresher than cooking and storing leftovers.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe has become one of my favorite quick snacks to make for myself or to impress friends without much fuss. It’s a simple, healthy twist on a classic comfort food that you can customize however you like. When you try it, you’ll see just how satisfying and flavorful air-fried sweet potatoes can be—plus, the ease of cleanup leaves more time to enjoy your tasty creation. Seriously, give it a go; your air fryer and taste buds will thank you!

Air Fryer Spiced Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 29 reviews

Author: Caroline
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Category: Snack
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Crispy and flavorful air fryer sweet potato fries seasoned with a blend of chili powder, cumin, and black pepper, perfect as a healthy snack or side dish.

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Fries

1 medium to large sweet potato
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to preheat while you prepare the sweet potatoes.
Prepare the sweet potatoes: Cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 4 equal wedges to make a total of 8 wedges.
Season the wedges: In a bowl, whisk together the chili powder, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the sweet potato wedges.
Coat with oil: Drizzle olive oil over the wedges and use tongs to toss them well, making sure each wedge is evenly coated with both oil and spices.
Cook the fries: Place the sweet potato wedges in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
Flip and continue cooking: Carefully flip the wedges to ensure even cooking and air circulation. Cook for an additional 10 minutes at 350 degrees, or until they reach your desired crispness.
Garnish and serve: Remove the fries from the air fryer, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately with your favorite sauces or dips.

Notes

For extra crispiness, soak the cut sweet potato wedges in cold water for 30 minutes before seasoning and drying thoroughly.
You can adjust the chili powder amount to make the fries milder or spicier according to your preference.
Use olive oil or avocado oil for a healthier fat option.
If your air fryer basket is small, cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can reduce crispiness.
Fresh parsley adds a nice color and freshness, but it’s optional and can be substituted with cilantro or omitted altogether.