Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
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Frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer come out crispy in about 8 minutes, faster than the oven and with no thawing. Air fry them at 400°F and shake the basket halfway through.
If you love how easy these are, my air fryer sweet potato fries from scratch, frozen french fries, and frozen waffle fries all cook up the same quick way.
Frozen sweet potato fries are my back-pocket side dish. I keep a bag in the freezer at all times, and when dinner needs something quick, they go straight from the freezer into the air fryer. No thawing, no oil, and they come out crispy in under 10 minutes.
They cook up faster than the oven and get that crispy edge with a soft middle. Whether you call them sweet potato fries or yam fries, they’re an easy way to round out just about any dinner.
How long to cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer
Air fry them at 400°F for about 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through so they crisp up on all sides. Thinner shoestring fries cook a little faster, so start checking them around the 6 minute mark.
There’s no need to thaw them first. They go in straight from the freezer, and you don’t have to add oil either, since most frozen fries already come coated in a little.
Why I keep making these
They’re fast. They go from freezer to plate in under 10 minutes, which is quicker than heating up the oven.
They get crispy. The air fryer gives them a crisp edge and a soft middle, crispier than they come out of the oven.
There’s almost nothing to it. You dump in a bag of fries, shake once, and you’re done.
How to make frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer
Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements and storage tips.
Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 400°F and let it heat up. A preheated basket is what gets the fries crisp instead of soft.
Add the fries. Pour the frozen sweet potato fries into the basket in a single layer. Don’t dump in more than fits in one layer, or they’ll steam instead of crisp.
Air fry and shake. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through so they brown evenly. If they look dry partway through, give them a quick spritz of oil.
Salt and serve. Pull them out, add a pinch of sea salt if you want, and serve them right away while they’re hot and crispy.
My tips for the crispiest fries
- Cook them in a single layer. This is the big one. Air needs to move around each fry, so a crowded basket gives you soft fries. Cook in batches if you have to.
- Preheat the air fryer. Dropping fries into a hot basket starts the crisping right away.
- Skip the extra oil. Most frozen fries already have oil on them, so you don’t need more unless they look dry halfway through.
- Any brand works. I’ve made these with Alexia and Ore-Ida and both crisp up great. Whatever bag you have is fine.
- Add seasoning if you like. Garlic powder or paprika are easy add-ons. Toss them on after cooking so they stick.
Why aren’t my sweet potato fries crispy?
If your fries come out soft, it’s almost always one of these three things. You crowded the basket, so the fries steamed instead of crisped. You skipped the preheat, so they started cooking in a cold basket. Or they just needed another minute or two.
Cook them in a single layer, preheat every time, and give them the full 7 to 8 minutes. If they still aren’t crisp enough, a light spritz of oil and one more minute usually does it.
How long to cook other frozen fry cuts
The 7 to 8 minutes here is for standard sweet potato fries. Other frozen cuts cook a little differently based on how thick they are. Thin shoestring and waffle fries crisp up faster, while thicker steak fries and crinkle fries take a few extra minutes. The method stays the same either way, so keep them in a single layer, shake the basket halfway, and pull them when they’re golden and crisp.
For the exact timing on each one, I have separate guides for curly fries, steak fries, and crinkle fries.
Dipping sauces to try
Half the fun is the dip. Here are a few I reach for:
- Ketchup
- Nacho cheese
- Spicy mayo
- Sour cream
- Homemade buffalo sauce
- Honey buffalo sauce
- Blue cheese dressing
- Honey sriracha sauce
- 2 ingredient BBQ sauce
What to serve with sweet potato fries
These go with just about any casual dinner. I love them next to air fryer hamburgers or air fryer hot dogs for an easy meal. They’re also great with air fryer grilled chicken, a buffalo chicken wrap, or a batch of air fryer chicken wings on game day.
Storing and reheating
Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They won’t be as crisp the next day, but the air fryer brings them back.
To reheat, pop them in a preheated 400°F air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes, until they’re hot and crispy again. The air fryer crisps them back up better than the microwave does.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to thaw the fries first?
No, you don’t need to thaw them. Cook them straight from frozen, since thawing just makes them soggy.
What temperature should I use?
I cook them at 400°F. Frozen sweet potato fries crisp up best at high heat, and that’s what I use every time.
Do I have to add oil?
Usually you don’t need to. Most bagged frozen fries already have a little oil on them, so only add a light spritz if they look dry partway through.
Which brand is best?
I’ve used both Alexia and Ore-Ida with good results, but any brand of frozen sweet potato fries works with these directions.
More recipes you’ll love
Crispy Frozen Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces frozen sweet potato fries
Optional
- sea salt to taste
- Oil for misting, if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the sweet potato fries into the air fryer in a single layer and cook then for 7-8 minutes shaking the basket halfway through. Add oil if needed.
- Remove them from the air fryer and add sea salt if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
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