Prep the Sweet Potatoes: Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thin strips, around ¼ inch thick. Try to keep the size uniform for even cooking.
Soak in Water: Place the cut sweet potato fries in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. This helps remove excess starch and contributes to their crispiness. After soaking, drain the fries and dry them thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
Season the Fries: In a large bowl, toss the dried sweet potato fries with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until all the fries are evenly coated.
Add Cornstarch: Sprinkle cornstarch over the fries and toss again until fully coated. This step is key to achieving that crispy texture when air frying.
Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Air Fry the Fries: Place the seasoned sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cooking Time: Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The fries should be golden brown and crispy when done.
Check for Crispiness: If you like them extra crispy, you can air-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, remove the fries from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Serve with a variety of dipping sauces for added flavor.