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Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries

The perfect combination of a crispy, seasoned exterior and tender, sweet interior. Everyone will love these.

Irresistibly crispy and flavorful sweet potato fries. Sometimes there’s only one right way to do something, and this method is it.

sweet potato fries on baking sheet.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Irresistibly tasty: These sweet potato fries offer a perfect balance of natural sweetness and savory flavors, making them a delicious and addictive snack or side dish.
  • Easy to prepare: With straightforward instructions and minimal ingredients, this recipe is simple to follow, even for novice cooks.
  • Healthier alternative: Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing a more nutritious option compared to traditional white potato fries.

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

ingredients on white wood background.

You’ll need the following for this kid-friendly side dish:

  • sweet potatoes
  • peanut oil
  • salt
  • paprika

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🍴Instructions

Step One: Prepare the sweet potatoes

sliced sweet potatoes on plate.

Using a sharp knife or a French fry cutter, carefully cut the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch square strips.

Step Two: ice bath

sliced sweet potatoes in water and on paper towel.

Transfer the strips to a large bowl filled with ice water. This step helps remove excess starch and results in crispier fries. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and let the potatoes chill for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours for optimal results.

Step three: fry first

eep fryer basket loaded with sweet potatoes.

Assemble your deep fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions and fill it with peanut oil. (Peanut oil is ideal for deep-frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor.)

Preheat the deep fryer to 325°F (163°C), ensuring the oil is hot and ready for the first frying stage. Assemble your deep fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions and fill it with peanut oil.

Drain the water from the sweet potatoes and use paper towels to pat them as dry as possible. The potatoes might be very cold or even partially frozen after chilling. Place the potato strips into the fryer basket, allowing them to be slightly crowded for this initial fry. Carefully lower the basket into the preheated oil and deep-fry the potatoes for about 5-7 minutes until they soften and turn slightly darker in color, but remain pale overall. Carefully remove the fries from the oil and place them on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain and cool.

Step Four: second fry

partially fried sweet potatoes on paper towel

Increase the deep fryer’s temperature to 375°F (190°C) for the final frying step. This higher temperature will help achieve the desired crispiness and browning. Fry the sweet potato fries in smaller batches this time, ensuring they have enough space to float freely in the oil. Cook for 2-4 minutes or until they reach the desired level of brownness and crispness. Remove the fries from the oil and let them drain on paper-towel-lined baking sheets.

Step Four: drain and serve

sweet potato fries on baking sheet.

While the fries are still hot, season them with salt and a sprinkle of paprika for a touch of smoky flavor. Serve the sweet potato fries as soon as possible to enjoy their maximum crispiness and taste. Don’t forget to pair them with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy them as a standalone treat!

🥫 Storage instructions

Fully cooked fries will reheat pretty well in an air fryer but won’t be as delicious. If you’d like to save the leftovers, here’s how:

Allow the fries to cool completely: Before storing, let the sweet potato fries cool down to room temperature on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to avoid any moisture buildup.

Refrigerate: To store the sweet potato fries in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. They will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Heat in a 390 degree air fryer for about 5 minutes. A convention oven will work well too.

Yes, you can freeze sweet potato fries as long as they are not fully cooked. After the first fry, you can flash freeze them and finish them later.

Arrange the cooled, partially cooked. fries in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, ensuring they’re not touching each other. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 hours or until the fries are completely frozen. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To cook them, pick up the recipe at the second frying stage and fry them straight from frozen. They’ll take a bit longer.

🔍 FAQs

Can I make these sweet potato fries in an air fryer?

Yes, as long as you understand there’s nothing quite like deep frying. 😉 But they’ll still be good. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), lightly coat the sweet potato strips in oil, salt, and paprika, and then arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time, until the fries are crispy and golden brown. Cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model, so adjust as needed.

Do I have to soak the sweet potatoes in ice water before frying?

Skipping this step will lead to less crispy fries. But of course you can try it and see what you think.

What is the best dipping sauce?

I like ranch or chipotle mayo. My kids prefer ketchup.

Can I use a different type of oil for frying?

Yes, you can use other oils with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil. Liquid shortening also works very well.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

  • Cut evenly sized fries: Make sure to cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized strips to ensure consistent cooking and crispiness. Uneven sizes may result in some fries being overcooked or undercooked.
  • Soak in ice water: Don’t skip soaking the sweet potato strips in ice water, as this helps to remove excess starch and results in crispier fries. The longer you soak the potatoes, the better the texture will be, up to 12 hours.
  • Dry thoroughly: After soaking and before frying, make sure to pat the sweet potatoes as dry as possible using paper towels. Excess moisture can cause the oil to splatter and prevent the fries from becoming crispy.
  • Monitor oil temperature: Use a deep-fry thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature during both frying stages. Proper oil temperature is crucial for achieving crispy and perfectly cooked sweet potato fries.
  • Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding the deep fryer, especially during the second frying stage. Frying in smaller batches allows the sweet potato fries to cook evenly and become crispier.
  • Drain and season immediately: After frying, drain the sweet potato fries on paper towels to remove excess oil. Season them with salt and paprika while they’re still hot to help the seasoning adhere better.
  • Serve hot: Sweet potato fries taste best when served immediately after cooking. Reheating can cause them to lose some of their crispiness, so enjoy them fresh out of the fryer for the best taste and texture.
  • Experiment with seasonings: Feel free to get creative with the seasoning by adding garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or your favorite herbs and spices

📘 Related Recipes

🍽 Serve it with

close. up view of deep fried potato fries with ketchup.

📖 Here’s the recipe

close up view of sweet potato fries
5 from 3 votes

Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries

Print Recipe
The perfect combination of a crispy, seasoned exterior and tender, sweet interior. Everyone will love these.
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Chilling time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 45 minutes
Click here to grab a free seasonal e-cookbook!

Equipment

  • Deep fryer or Dutch oven
  • Paper Towels

Ingredients

  • 3 sweet potatoes scrubbed clean and peeled
  • 1 quart peanut oil for frying
  • salt
  • paprika

Instructions

  • Prep and chill the potatoes. Using a sharp knife or French fry cutter, cut the potatoes into 1/4 square strips. Place them in a bowl of ice water. Place in the refrigerator and allow to chill for at least 2 hours, up to 12 hours.
  • Preheat oil. Set up deep fryer according to the manufacture's instructions and fill it with peanut oil. Preheat the deep fryer to 325℉.
  • The first fry. Drain the water from the potatoes and pat them as dry as possible. They will be very cold, maybe even frozen. Place the potatoes in the basket. It's okay if they are crowded for the first fry. Submerge into the oil and deep fry for about 5-7 minutes until they are softened and slightly darker, but still pale. Place on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
  • The second fry. Increase heat in the deep fryer to 375℉. Fry the French fries a second time, this time in smaller batches, so that they float freely in the oil. Fry for only 2-4 minutes or until they have reached the desired level of brownness and crispness. Drain on paper-towel-lined baking sheets and season immediately. Serve as soon as possible

Notes

Be careful when deep frying, especially if you are using a Dutch oven.  An electric deep fryer is much safer and gives better results.
Use any seasoning you’d like! 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 16031IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: deep fried sweet potato fries, sweet potato fries
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 102kcal
Author: Katie Shaw
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