How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven

These crispy oven-baked sweet potato fries are a healthy alternative to french fries and arguably even more delicious. But they can turn soggy if not cooked properly. Follow these tips to ensure crisp success every time.

French fries are a near-perfect food. It's hard to improve upon perfect, but when we're talking sweet potato fries, the old classic may have found its rival.

They're a little sweet, plus they offer plenty of vitamin A and beta carotene-something a french fry doesn't. However, none of that matters if they're swimming in fat and calories, which is an unfortunate reality for most things fried. At a restaurant, a small order of deep-fried sweet potato fries can set you back 260 calories and 13 grams of fat.

Luckily, making your own crispy sweet potato fries is easy to do in your oven. That means you don't need a deep fryer. You'll save 122 calories and 11 grams of fat per serving when you "fry" them in your oven instead. Here are the best tips for making perfect crispy sweet potato fries.

1. Cut all fries the same size.

Whether you cut your fries into sticks or wedges, the pieces need to be the same size. This ensures that the fries cook at the same rate. Remember: you're cooking at 450°F-that's high heat. If you cut the pieces too big, they'll be overdone on the outside and underdone on the inside. If you're going for the classic "fry" shape, 1/4-inch-thick matchstick slices work. A medium sweet potato cut lengthwise into eight wedges works well too.

2. Coat the fries with oil (but not too much).

To successfully oven-fry, you still need to use oil-just not as much as you'd need to fill a deep fryer. About 2 teaspoons of canola oil should be enough to coat one medium sweet potato cut into fries or wedges. Toss your oil and sweet potato pieces in a large bowl. Use your hands to mix them together to distribute the oil more effectively. This is also a good time to add seasoning, since the oil will help it stick evenly to the food. And while you're at it, a little oil or cooking spray on your baking sheet is a good idea to prevent the fries from sticking. Cooking spray will give you the best coverage using the least amount of oil.

3. Boost flavor with seasonings.

Salt is a must for seasoning fries (don't go overboard-about 1/4 teaspoon is enough for one medium sweet potato), but you don't have to stop there! Paprika is a nice mild spice to add to sweet potatoes-and it looks pretty too. Garlic powder makes them extra savory, and if you like a little kick, chili powder is a great addition. Just make sure that whatever spice you add doesn't contain added salt. If it does, adjust the amount of salt accordingly.

4. Don't overcrowd your baking sheet.

The secret to crispy (instead of soggy) sweet potato fries is to spread them out in an even layer with enough room so that they don't touch. This is especially important if you're making a big batch of fries. Instead of just piling more onto one baking pan, spread them out over two baking pans or cook them in batches. If they're all crammed onto one pan, they'll steam instead of bake, and you'll end up with soggy fries.

5. Cook them in the upper third of your oven.

Loaded Sweet Potato Nacho Fries

We tend to cook most things on the middle oven rack, but sweet potato fries cook best above the middle position, farther away from the heat source. Since sweet potatoes are, well, sweet, the sugars tend to "caramelize," or brown, more quickly than a regular potato. A little caramelization is a good thing-but too much and you'll get burning instead. Moving sweet potato fries higher up in the oven slows the caramelization process. If you're making two baking sheets' worth at once, position one oven rack in the middle and one above. Be sure to switch the pans' positions during baking and also to stir all the fries at least once so they cook evenly.

How to Make Perfectly Crispy Oven Fries

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With just 2 minutes of prep & 14 minutes of cooking you can make the best frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer *. Perfectly crispy fries with just a little bit of olive oil, for a perfect side dish all ready to serve with your favorite sauce!

How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven
Jump to:
  • Why you will love this recipe
  • What you need to make them
  • How to make them
  • Tips & tricks
  • Recipe FAQ
  • Dipping sauces for sweet potato fries
  • More delicious air fryer sides
  • Recipe

Why you will love this recipe

  • It's the best way to cook frozen sweet potato fries
  • Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside
  • Crispier than baked
  • Healthier than deep drying - and healthier than regular french fries
  • Quicker than in the oven
  • Super easy and done in 16 minutes
  • Easy clean up
  • The perfect side dish for fish, meat, burgers and chicken

What you need to make them

How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven

Ingredient notes & substitutions

  • Frozen sweet potato fries: I used a thick kind of sweet potato fries - a thinner kind will cook quicker. Start with 4 + 4 minutes and add more time if needed.
  • Some good brands to try are Alexia sweet potato fries, Ore Ida sweet potato fries, Whole Food 360 sweet potato fries and Trader Joe's sweet potato fries.
  • Olive oil can be swapped for a different type of vegetable oil, or you can use cooking spray. Oil can also be skipped, but helps the fries get really crispy and a nice color.
  • Salt might not be necessary if you're using already seasoned fries - please check the bag before adding the salt!

How to make them

How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven
  1. Place sweet potato fries in a bowl or on a plate
  2. Pour over olive oil
  3. Add salt, then mix and make sure to spread the oil and salt as evenly as possible all over the fries
  4. Place the fries in a preheated air fryer * basket
  5. Air fry for 7 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then shake the basket to turn the fries
  6. Air fry for 7 more minutes at 400°F (200°C), then serve immediately!
How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven

Tips & tricks

  • Preheat your air fryer *to shorten the cook time - if you're not preheating it you might need more than 14 minutes
  • Don't defrost the fries - cook them straight from frozen
  • You can add other seasonings than salt - for example paprika powder, ground cinnamon or chili powder
  • Don't overcrowd your air fryer * basket - cook in a single layer for the crispiest fries, but a little overlap is fine
  • Cooking time can vary depending on which air fryer * you use and which brands of sweet potato fries
  • Shake the fries halfway for an even cook
  • Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days - but keep in mind they are best eaten just after frying
  • Reheat sweet potato fries by air frying for 5 minutes at 300°F (150°C), shaking once halfway
How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven

Recipe FAQ

How do you air fry frozen Alexia sweet potato fries?

Air fry Alexia sweet potato fries for 14 minutes, shaking them once halfway.

Why are my sweet potato fries not crispy?

There are three secrets to really crispy sweet potato fries in the air fryer. First, use olive oil or another vegetable oil. Second, preheat your air fryer. And third, don't overcrowd your air fryer basket - cook the fries in one layer with no or just a little bit of overlap.

How do you season sweet potato fries and how do you make them taste better?

I like to season sweet potato fries with just a little bit of salt and olive oil, but you can add other seasonings as well such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika powder or even cinnamon. I recommend seasoning them before cooking, for best results.

Dipping sauces for sweet potato fries

Sweet potato fries are a great snack and a great way to quickly get an easy side in place, and even better when served with your favorite dipping sauce. Here are my favorites:

  • Garlic Dipping Sauce
  • 5-minute Blue Cheese Sauce
  • Chipotle Ranch Dressing
  • 2-minute Gluten Free BBQ Sauce
  • Whipped Feta Cheese (Tyrosalata)
How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven

More delicious air fryer sides

Enjoy cooking with your air fryer? Then I think you will love these side dishes!

  • Air Fryer Frozen Fries
  • Air Fryer Potato Wedges
  • Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

And don't miss my complete guide to cooking frozen foods in air fryer.

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Recipe

How to make frozen sweet potato fries crispy in the oven

  • 2 handfuls frozen sweet potato fries
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon fine table salt

  • Preheat your air fryer by running it at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.

  • Place the frozen sweet potato fries in a bowl or on a plate, and season with olive oil and salt. Mix well and try to spread the oil and seasoning as evenly as possible all over the fries.

  • Place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 14 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Shake them halfway.

  • Serve immediately on their own or with your favorite sauce!

This recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries was created in a Philips HD9252/90 Air Fryer*. Cook times can vary with your air fryer model.

Ingredient notes & substitutions

  • Frozen sweet potato fries: I used a thick kind of sweet potato fries - a thinner kind will cook quicker. Start with 4 + 4 minutes and add more time if needed.
  • Some good brands to try are Alexia sweet potato fries, Ore Ida sweet potato fries, Whole Food 360 sweet potato fries and Trader Joe's sweet potato fries.
  • Olive oil can be swapped for a different type of vegetable oil, or you can use cooking spray. Oil can also be skipped, but helps the fries get really crispy and a nice color.
  • Salt might not be necessary if you're using already seasoned fries - please check the bag before adding the salt!

Tips & tricks

  • Preheat your air fryer to shorten the cook time - if you're not preheating it you might need more than 14 minutes
  • Don't defrost the fries - cook them straight from frozen
  • You can add other seasonings than salt - for example paprika powder, ground cinnamon or chili powder
  • Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket - cook in a single layer for the crispiest fries, but a little overlap is fine
  • Cooking time can vary depending on which air fryer you use and which brands of sweet potato fries
  • Shake the fries halfway for an even cook
  • Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days - but keep in mind they are best eaten just after frying
  • Reheat sweet potato fries by air frying for 5 minutes at 300°F (150°C), shaking once halfway

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 24118IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

Reader Interactions

How do you make freezer fries crispy in the oven?

Place French fries in a single layer on prepared baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes. Stir fries well, rotate the baking sheets, and increase oven temperature to 450° F. Bake for another 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Why won't my sweet potato fries get crispy?

The secret to crispy (instead of soggy) sweet potato fries is to spread them out in an even layer with enough room so that they don't touch. This is especially important if you're making a big batch of fries. Instead of just piling more onto one baking pan, spread them out over two baking pans or cook them in batches.

How do I make frozen potatoes crispy?

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to make frozen diced potatoes crispy, and coat the baking tray with olive oil. Bake for less than 5 minutes. Add the frozen diced potatoes to the now hot baking dish and coat with the heated oil. Bake for around 20-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

How do you make sweet potato fries not soggy?

I've tried baked sweet potato fries every which way, and these elements really do make a big difference in the crispy factor:.
1) Slice your fries thinly. ... .
2) Toss your sliced fries in cornstarch before oil. ... .
3) Divide your fries between two pans and arrange them in even layers. ... .
4) Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit..