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Sweet Potato Fries

Easy Sweet Potato Fries: Make it in Airfryer

Cut the sweet potatoes into sticks ('Fries'). Toss with a bit of salt and sugar, arrange in single layer on a plate, cover and microwave on Hi for 2 min. Toss with a little oil, and dredge with fine breadcrumbs to give a thin coating. Arrainge in single layer in the AirFryer basket, and AirFry for 5 min at 400F; drizzle with a little oil and AirFry for 4-5 min more, until slightly browned. Sprinkle on your favorite toppings and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 166 kcal

Equipment

  • Microwave oven preferred to pre-cook sweet potatoes; if not available, you can do this step on the stove-top
  • AirFryer if not available, use the toaster oven (or large oven for a big batch)
  • Microwave-safe ceramic/glass plate to pre-cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave: I do NOT recommend using a plastic plate for doing this
  • Parchment paper to line the AirFryer basket

Ingredients
  

To pre-cook in the microwave

  • 200 g Sweet potato - about 1 medium - cut into sticks - 2 in long x 1/4 in x 1/4 in ( 5 cm x 3 cm x 3 cm) - 'Fries' shown with orange-fleshed variety; OK to use other varieties and also Yam ( true Yams). Note: fries made this way with yams will not be quite as moist inside.
  • 1/2 tsp Oil I prefer peanut oil, but another neutral, high smoke point oil is OK ; do not use Extra Virgin Olive Oil here
  • 1/8 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Sugar
  • 2 tsp Water

To add after microwaving

  • 1 tsp Oil I prefer peanut oil, but another neutral, high smoke point oil is OK ; do not use Extra Virgin Olive Oil here

For Crumb coating

  • 1 tbsp Breadcrumbs - fine textured - may need up to 1 tsp more If breadcrumbs are coarse, grind them briefly in a spice/coffee grinder; for gluten-free or for religious fasting (Upvas): use Amaranth flour + pinch of salt
  • 1/8 tsp Cumin powder

To Air fry

  • 1 tsp Oil I prefer peanut oil, but another neutral, high smoke point oil is OK ; do not use Extra Virgin Olive Oil here

Toppings suggestions (optional)

  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper - freshly crushed preferred
  • 1/4 tsp Paprika or spicy red chilli powder (Cayenne) if you prefer
  • 1 tsp Parmesan - grated
  • 1 tsp Dried Parsley or use finely minced fresh parsley for a bright green burst of color

Instructions
 

  • Soak the sweet potatoes in water for a few minutes to loosen any residual dirt.
    Scrub the wet skin with your fingers or a vegetable brush to remove dirt. Rinse thoroughly.
  • Slice sideways into 2 - 2 1/2 inch (5-6 cm) pieces, then slice each piece lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick slices
    Cut each slice lengthwise into 'Fries': about 1/4 inch (5-6 cm) thick
    Naturally, some of the end pieces will be smaller and uneven shaped - that's OK.
    Note: Try to keep the fries of even thickness, so they cook evenly.
    cutting sweet potato
  • Sweet Potato Fries - ready to cook
    sweet potato fries-ready to cook
  • Transfer to a bowl; add 1/2 tsp oil, 1/4 tsp sugar, 1/8 tsp salt and toss well to distribute evenly.
    Splash 2 tsp water, mix and arrange in a single layer on a microwave-safe glass/ceramic dinner plate,
    Cover and microwave on Hi for 1 min, then on 40% power for 2 min. Set aside undisturbed for 5 min - it will continue to cook a little more as it cools.
    Note:
    If microwave is not available, see Recipe Notes for stove-top cooking in a heavy-bottom frying pan.
    partially cooked fries
  • While you wait, prepare the crumb coating:
    Mix together 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (fine-textured) and 1/8 tsp Cumin powder.
    Note: If making gluten-free or for Upvas, use Amaranth flour instead of breadcrumbs, and add a tiny pinch of salt along with the cumin powder.
  • Turn on the AirFryer: set it to 400 F (200 C) for 2-3 min - this way, the AirFryer will be nicely preheated before you place the sweet potatoes in the basket.
    (If using a toaster / convection oven insteadof AirFryer, turn it on to preheat)
  • Remove the cover from the cooked sweet potatoes, catching any moisture that may have collected on it. You will likely also see a bit of liquid juices on the plate in which you cooked the sweet potatoes.
    Gently toss the pieces so they get coated with this liquid - this will keep the 'finished' fries moist on the inside as they roast in the AirFryer.
    Drizzle 1 tsp oil and toss again to coat the pieces; transfer to a bowl.
  • In another small bowl (a cereal bowl works well), add about 1 tbsp of the prepared crumb mixture.
    Add about 1/3 of the cooked sweet potato pieces to the bowl and mix gently with your fingers till the pieces are lightly coated with the crumb mixture.
    Shake off the excess and loose crumbs back into the bowl., then transfer the coated fries into another bowl.
    crumb-coated fries
  • Repeat with remaining sweet potato pieces, adding more crumb mixture as needed.
    breadcrumb coated fries
  • Line the AirFryer basket with parchment and arrange the breadcrumb-coated sweet potato pieces in a single layer. Do not crowd!
    Note: If the basket is small, you may need to do this in 2 batches.
    Note:
    If AirFryer is not available, see Recipe Notes for roasting these in a toaster oven or large convection oven (good for a large batch)
    place fries in airfryer
  • AirFry for 5 min at 400F (200C)
    Then use a small spoon to carefully add a few drops of oil evenly on the pieces (or use a silicone brush) - about 1 tsp total.
    Note:
    I personally find it much more efficient to use a small spoon to do this - using a brush tends to be somewhat wasteful, because some of the oil remains in the brush.
    Continue to Air Fry for 3-4 min until crisped and lightly golden.
    NOTE: Do NOT wait for the fries to become a darker golden brown- they will become hard and chewy !!
    If the fries look a bit too dry, splash a little water with your fingers, and continue to AirFry for 1-2 min longer.
    Sweet potato Fries -ready
  • Transfer the fries to a serving platter, sprinkle with your favorite toppings and serve immediately, with a dip of your choice.
    Shown here, paired with a sandwich and a simple salad.
    Sweet Potato Fries
  • Enjoy!

Notes

No microwave? 
No worries...
  • You can do the initial partial cooking (like the microwave part) on the stove-top too.
For partially cooking the 'fries': (similar to microwaving)
  • Toss the cut sweet potato sticks  with 1/8 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar
  • Place a large, heavy bottom frying pan on the stove: 12 inch (30 cm)
    • preferably a non-stick pan
  • Start heating it up on Hi. 
  • After about 30 seconds, add 2 tbsp water and swirl it around.
  • Turn the heat off and quickly add the sweet potato sticks.
  • Spread them into a single layer - tightly packed is fine
  • Cover with a well-fitting lid, and turn the heat on again: to Hi
  • Cook for 2 min, then lower the heat to the lowest setting and cook for 2 more min.
  • Leave undisturbed for 3-4 min.  
  • Open the lid: most of the water will be 'gone' - gently toss the pieces to coat with the little bit of quid still left in the pan.
Continue as directed in the main recipe instructions.  
 
No Air Fryer?
Oven-roast the partially cooked sweet potato fries that have been coated with fine breadcrumbs. 
In the toaster oven:
  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Arrange the sweet potato fries in a single layer.
  • Do not overcrowd. 
  • Set the timer to 10 min on 'Toast'
    • both heating elements - top and bottom - should be on
  • Open the door 4-5 min.
  • Use a small spoon to drop small droplets of oil on all the pieces ( or use a pastry brush)
  • Continue to toast for the remaining time.
  • If need be, toast for another 2-4 minutes -
    • avoid over-browning- they will become hard and chewy.
  • Remove from the oven 
  • Add your favorite toppings and serve immediately. 
In the 'big' oven: if you're doing a big batch!
  • Place the baking rack in the center position in the oven
  • Start preheating: set the temperature to 400 F (200C) on 'Bake'
  • While the oven heats up, prepare for roasting:
    • Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
    • Arrange the sweet potato fries in a single layer.
    • Do not overcrowd. 
  • When the oven beeps, indicating it has reached the pre-set temperature, carefully place the baking tray in the center rack. 
    • be sure to use heat resistant gloves / oven mitt
  • Close the oven and Set the timer for 10 min on 'Bake'
    • only the bottom heating elements should be on
  • Open the oven door after 5 min
  • Use a small spoon to drop small droplets of oil on all the pieces (or use a pastry brush)
  • Continue to bake for the remaining time.
  • If need be, bake for another 2-4 minutes -
    • avoid over-browning- they will become hard and chewy.
  • Remove from the oven
  • Add your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
 
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in lidded containers in the refrigerator. I do not recommend storing these in the freezer.
  • Use within 2-3 days
  • To serve:
    • Place in a single layer on parchment-lined AirFryer basket or on a parchment-lined toaster oven tray.
    • Splash a little water all over the fries
      • this will keep them from drying out and becoming hard during reheating
    • AirFry or toast for 4-5 min at 350 - 375F (160-180C) until heated through and crisped again
    • Serve immediately

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 281mgPotassium: 364mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 14335IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Air Fryer, Air Fryer roasting, Fiber-rich snack, Oven-fries, Oven-roasted Fries, Ratala, Ratalu, Shakari, Shakarkand, Shakarkandi, Starchy tubers, Sweet potato fries, Sweet Potatoes, Upvas food, Upvas-suitable, Vrat ka Khana, Yam, Yam Fries
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