Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Pioneer Woman air fryer sweet potato fries turn sweet potatoes, cumin and cayenne into a crispy, golden side dish in 40 minutes. This healthy air fryer sweet potato fries recipe with creamy honey mustard dip fits Super Bowl parties, weeknight dinners and easy game day snack spreads.

Cooking the fries in two batches with space between each one is the step that decides whether they turn crispy or soggy. Crowding the basket traps steam around the potatoes, so you end up with limp fries instead of golden edges.

Tossing all the cooked fries back into the basket at 400°F for a final few minutes brings back that crunch after the batches cool. The spice mix of cumin, cayenne and black pepper also balances the natural sweetness, so they taste savory with a little kick.

Pioneer Woman Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

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Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

3

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

377

kcal

Spiced sweet potato planks turn golden and crisp at the edges while staying soft inside. A quick second blast of high heat re-crisps every fry, and the honey mustard adds a creamy, tangy dip.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled if you like
  

• 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for serving
  

• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
  

• 1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
  

• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  

• 2 tsp. olive oil
  

• 1/4 c. mayonnaise
  

• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  

• 2 tsp. honey
  

Directions

• Cut the potatoes: Cut 1 1/2 pounds of sweet potatoes into planks about 1/2 inch thick and 4 to 5 inches long. Then pat them dry with a paper towel if there is any moisture and place them in a large mixing bowl.
• Mix the spices: In a small bowl, stir together the kosher salt, cumin, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Then set the bowl aside so it is ready when the potatoes are oiled.
• Coat the fries: Toss the sweet potatoes with the olive oil until they are well coated. Then sprinkle the spice mixture all over and toss again so every fry is evenly seasoned.
• Air fry in batches: Place half of the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a little space between each one, then cook at 380°F for 7 minutes. Toss the fries, space them apart again and cook 7 minutes more, then move them to a plate and repeat with the rest.
• Make the honey mustard: In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and honey until creamy and smooth. Then set it aside while you finish the fries.
• Crisp and serve: Transfer all of the cooked fries back to the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F until they are re-warmed and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes more. Then season with more salt to taste and serve with the creamy honey mustard.

Tools for this recipe

• Ninja AF101 4-quart air fryer, Victorinox Fibrox 8-inch chef's knife, Pyrex 3-piece glass mixing bowl set, Hellmann's real mayonnaise, 30 oz. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use a different dipping sauce?

Ketchup, ranch or a spicy mayo all work well here, since the fries are lightly seasoned. I like keeping a sweet and tangy sauce nearby because it plays off the cayenne.

How do I store leftover sweet potato fries?

Let them cool, then keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They will soften in the fridge, so reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for a few minutes to bring back some crunch.

Can I cut the fries ahead of time?

You can cut the planks a few hours ahead, but wait to oil and season them until you are ready to cook. Keep them in a bowl in the fridge and pat them dry before tossing, since extra moisture makes them soggy.

What if I don't have an air fryer?

You can bake them on a rimmed sheet pan in a hot oven, spread out in a single layer so they do not steam. They take longer and come out a little less crisp, so flip them halfway through.

What is the most common mistake with these fries?

Overcrowding the basket is the biggest one, because the fries steam instead of crisping when they touch. Cook in batches and leave a little room around each fry, even if it feels slow.