Crispy Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
A quick and easy recipe for crispy sweet potato fries cooked in the air fryer. Perfect as a side dish or healthy snack.
Steps
- 1
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into sticks about 0.5-1 cm thick (you can leave the skin on if preferred).
- 2
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes.
- 3
Spray the air fryer basket with a little olive oil.
- 4
In a bowl, toss the sweet potato sticks with oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
- 5
Arrange the fries in a single layer in the basket (work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding).
- 6
Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 10-15 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through for even browning.
- 7
Once golden and crispy, remove from the air fryer. To keep warm, place on a baking sheet in the oven at 105°C (220°F).
- 8
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Shopping list
2-3 pieces sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into sticks, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, parsley to taste
Recipe story
The sweet potato originated in Central and South America, cultivated by pre-Columbian civilizations for thousands of years. After the discovery of the Americas, it was brought to Europe by Spanish and Portuguese explorers, becoming a popular food in cuisines worldwide. In Asia, it is used in both sweet and savory dishes, while in Africa, it is an important food source. Today, the sweet potato is valued for its versatility and nutritional benefits.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Parsley
In Greek mythology, parsley was associated with death and rebirth, planted on graves to symbolize the cycle of life. Romans used it generously in cooking and as a remedy for hangovers.
Paprika
Paprika, a emblematic spice brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Although associated with Hungarian cuisine, its origins are in Central America, where it was used by the Aztecs.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Potato
Although today it seems indispensable on the table, the potato was long viewed with suspicion in Europe. Arriving from the Andes in the 16th century, it was considered a diabolical plant, even poisonous, due to its toxic leaves and fruits. It wasn't until the 18th century, thanks to promoters like Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, that the potato became a staple food, saving Europe from famine.
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