Crispy Sweet Potato Sticks (Air Fryer)
Homemade Sweet Potato Sticks Made in the Air Fryer – A Snack You Can’t Stop Reaching For!
Enjoy the delightful crunchy texture of sweet potato sticks made easily at home. Instead of deep-frying, using an air fryer significantly reduces calories and results in a delicious, wholesome snack. These sticks, crispy on the outside and naturally sweet on the inside, are perfect for kids’ snacks or as a delightful accompaniment to your evening drinks.
Ingredients- 2 sweet potatoes
- Vegetable oil, as needed (enough to coat the sweet potatoes)
- Pinch of salt (optional, enhances flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 2 sweet potatoes for making delicious sweet potato sticks. Medium-sized ones work best.
Step 2
Before slicing, to prevent the round sweet potatoes from rolling, trim a very thin layer off the bottom to create a flat surface. This will allow you to slice them steadily on your cutting board.
Step 3
Now, thinly slice the sweet potatoes to your desired thickness. It’s important not to slice them too thick at this stage.
Step 4
Cut the sliced sweet potatoes into sticks of uniform thickness. If they are too thin, they might burn quickly during cooking; if they are too thick, they will take a long time to cook through. Considering that they will shrink in volume as they cook, it’s best to cut them slightly thicker than store-bought sweet potato sticks.
Step 5
Soaking the cut sweet potato sticks in cold water is a crucial step to remove excess starch. Starch remaining on the sweet potatoes will prevent them from becoming crispy. Place them in water and gently shake to wash.
Step 6
Rinse them multiple times until the water runs clear. Thoroughly removing the starch is key to achieving that fried-like crispiness.
Step 7
Drain the washed sweet potato sticks in a colander to remove excess water. Pat them dry with paper towels. While complete dryness isn’t essential, they should feel dry to the touch, not wet and sticky.
Step 8
Arrange all the dried sweet potato sticks on a tray or in a bowl.
Step 9
Drizzle vegetable oil evenly over the sweet potato sticks. Use just enough oil to lightly coat all the pieces. Too much oil can make them soggy.
Step 10
Use your hands to gently toss the sweet potato sticks, ensuring the oil is distributed evenly on all sides. At this point, you can add a tiny pinch of salt and toss together; this helps to enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.
Step 11
Spread the sweet potato sticks in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. To achieve maximum crispiness, it’s recommended to use a mesh rack or tray that allows air circulation and even heat distribution, rather than a solid basket. This helps moisture evaporate effectively, leading to a crispier result.
Step 12
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook the sweet potato sticks for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes, carefully remove the basket and flip the sticks to ensure even cooking. Return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 10 minutes at 180°C (350°F). Cooking times and temperatures may vary depending on your air fryer model, so check on them periodically and adjust the cooking time as needed until they are golden brown. Be careful to prevent burning, and enjoy your delicious sweet potato sticks!
