Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato Fries (Printable Version)

Golden sweet potato fries tossed in Cajun spices and air-fried to crisp perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch fries

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Optional Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil until evenly coated.
03 - Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, and sea salt in a small bowl.
04 - Sprinkle the spice blend over the sweet potatoes and toss thoroughly to ensure all fries are coated.
05 - Place fries in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air-fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket or turning fries halfway through cooking, until fries are golden brown and crispy.
07 - Transfer the fries to a serving plate and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy outside but tender inside, which is honestly the best texture combination and hard to mess up with an air fryer.
  • The Cajun seasoning blend feels fancy and restaurant-worthy but comes together in about a minute with spices you probably already have.
  • It's genuinely healthier than traditional deep-fried fries since you're using just a touch of oil, so you can eat more without the guilt.
02 -
  • Water-soaking the cut fries before seasoning is the difference between fries that are just good and fries that are truly crispy on the outside—I learned this by accident when I forgot about a batch and they turned into the best ones I've ever made.
  • Arranging them in a single layer without crowding is non-negotiable; I once tried to speed things up by packing the basket and got steamed mushy fries that tasted fine but felt like a failure.
  • Cayenne heat varies wildly between brands, so taste your spice blend before committing to the full 1/2 teaspoon—you can always add more but you can't take it back.
03 -
  • Pat your sweet potatoes completely dry after soaking—any excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness and will extend your cooking time.
  • If your air fryer seems to run hot (fries browning too quickly), lower the temperature to 190°C and add a few extra minutes—different models vary wildly.
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