Sweet potato fries are known for being floppy, mushy, and soggy. However, with the right technique, you can achieve crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside sweet potato fries.
This article explores the secret methods and techniques to perfectly air-fried sweet potato fries, ensuring they are a hit every time.
The Secret to Crispy Sweet Potato Fry Success
To achieve crispy air-fried sweet potato fries, the coating is key. Marianne Williams discovered that a starch-based coating, combined with a small amount of oil, works best. Sweet potatoes have less starch than russet potatoes, and even in an air fryer, some oil is necessary for even browning and crisping.
Marianne started with batches coated in dry starches like cornstarch, rice flour, and potato flour, along with some oil. These were tested against a batch seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and oil. While starch coatings worked, the potato starch batch burned, and none achieved lasting crispness.
Creating the Perfect Slurry
The breakthrough came when Marianne added sugar to the mix, along with rice flour and cornstarch. This improved crispness, but the coating was uneven. The solution was to make a slurry of the ingredients, which ensured an even coating.
Instead of adding each ingredient separately, combining cornstarch, white rice flour, sugar, salt, and neutral oil into a slurry allowed for a more consistent application. This slurry yields perfectly crispy results that brown evenly all over.
Cutting the Sweet Potatoes
The thickness of the sweet potato sticks significantly impacts the final result. Cutting the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick sticks provides the ideal balance between a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
Too thin and the fries are all crispness with no fluffy interior; too thick and the fries lose their crispness. You can opt to keep the peel on, but it may create a tougher exterior. Make sure to scrub them well if leaving the skin on.
The 1/4-inch thickness is the sweet spot, ensuring the fries have a crispy shell and a soft, tender interior. This thickness also makes them easier to handle and cook evenly.
The Right Cooking Method
Proper cooking temperature is crucial for air-fried sweet potato fries. Initially cooking at 385°F (196ºC) for about 13 minutes, followed by reducing the temperature to 375°F (190ºC), gives an initial blast of heat to crisp the exterior while preventing scorching.
Shaking the basket every five to six minutes and spraying the fries with cooking spray ensures they brown and crisp evenly. This method continues until the fries are crispy and well-browned, resulting in the perfect texture.
Spraying the fries with cooking spray each time they are shaken ensures they do not dry out and helps achieve an even crispness.
Flavor Variations
Though the basic recipe for air-fried sweet potato fries is delicious, it can be a base for various flavor variations. Spices like smoked paprika, mustard powder, black or white pepper, garlic powder, and even dried herbs can be added to the slurry or applied post-cooking.
Given their natural sweetness, sweet potatoes pair well with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. These can be whisked into the slurry for an even coating or dusted on after cooking.
For a sweet variation, a light coating of cinnamon sugar can be added after cooking. Alternatively, a barbecue-flavored dry rub can be used for a spicy twist.
Ingredients and Preparation
The ingredients for the perfect air fryer sweet potato fries include oil, cornstarch, white rice flour, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and a large sweet potato cut into 1/4-inch thick fries.
Preheat your air fryer to 385°F (196ºC) for 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, cornstarch, rice flour, sugar, and salt to form a smooth slurry paste consistency. Toss the sweet potato in this mixture to coat evenly.
Cooking Directions
Place the coated sweet potatoes into the air fryer basket. Shake the basket and spray the fries with cooking spray every 5 to 6 minutes until they start to brown, about 13 minutes.
Reduce the air fryer temperature to 375ºF (190ºC) and continue cooking, shaking the basket and spraying the fries with cooking spray every 5 minutes until crispy and browned, about 10 more minutes.
Serving and Finishing Touches
Remove the basket from the air fryer and pour the fries into a clean, dry bowl. Add the remaining salt and toss the fries to coat evenly. Serve immediately, possibly with a dipping sauce of your choice.
By following these steps, you can create perfectly crispy air fryer sweet potato fries at home. The key lies in the slurry coating, proper thickness of the potato sticks, and attentive cooking method.
Experimenting with different flavor variations can elevate your fries, making them a versatile and delicious side dish or snack.
Source: Seriouseats