Spicy Sweet Potato Chips Recipe: Air Fryer - Vegan In The Freezer (2024)

FAQs

Why are my frozen sweet potato fries soggy in the air fryer? ›

If your air fryer fries are soggy, it is likely because you over-crowded them in the basket. The sweet potatoes steam when crowded together, instead of air frying. For the best, most crispy results, cook the fries in a single layer so that the air has room to circulate.

Why do my air fryer sweet potato fries turn out soggy? A couple of reasons! It could be that the temperature of your fryer was too low, that you used too much oil, or that you crammed too many fries into one batch. Preheating before adding sweet potato fries to the air fryer also guarantees the crispiest results.

Firstly, if your potatoes are still wet before being placed into an air fryer, this can cause your potatoes not to crispen up.

Because of the natural sugar in a sweet potato, you will always get dark edges when roasting them in an air fryer. However, to keep them from burning, don't use a temperature that is above 380 degrees, and be sure to toss them well halfway through the cook time.

Some recipes call for par cooking the fries in lower temperature oil, letting them chill in the freezer or fridge, then frying them at higher temps to get that crisp outer coating. Boiling will do the same thing.

You can't pile ingredients into an Air Fryer. Separate them out a little and give them space for the air flow to cook the chips. You also need to cook them for the right length of time. Soggy chips or chips that are not crispy haven't been cooked long enough.

Before the air fryer became popular I was all about baked sweet potato fries. I still love them, but I have to admit that using the air fryer to make them is faster and they actually get crispier too. Spoiler alert: there's no need to soak your potatoes in water ahead of time!

Soaking: A Crispy Essential

The water removes excess starch, allowing the fries to be their crispiest. Instead of soaking them in large bowl of cold water, I like to use hot water to cook the potatoes slightly. This creates the “double fried” effect that makes many restaurant fries so addictive.

Rinse the chips and pat dry with a clean tea towel. Tip the chips into the bottom of an air-fryer (the part with the paddle), add the oil, and toss the chips in the oil so they are evenly coated. Program the fryer to cook for 30 mins using the paddle. After this time, check that the chips are tender and cooked through.

Why do sweet potatoes turn black in air fryer? ›

Make sure to air-fry potatoes in batches in an even layer so they have the chance to brown (and crisp up) evenly while cooking. Why do my air fryer sweet potato fries turn black? Sweet potatoes contain a higher concentration of sugar than standard potatoes, and caramelize as they cook in the air fryer.

In my opinion, it's best to bake sweet potato chips at 300ºF so they won't burn too quickly. If you try baking sweet potato chips at 350ºF or 400ºF, they tend to get too brown before they get that melt-in-your-mouth crispiness that we come to expect when eating a chip.

If they're too thin they'll burn easily. -- If slices are uneven you may end up with partially crisp chips. -- Do not overlap slices on the pan or moisture will build as they bake. -- Covering the pans with foil and coating with oil is key.

Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees, then place your leftover fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Heat them for three to five minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness. Just like with the oven method, make sure you don't crowd the air fryer basket so the fries get nice and crispy.

Preheat for Perfection: Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding your frozen goodies. This ensures they start cooking immediately and develop that coveted crispy exterior. Don't Overcrowd: Give your frozen items some space. Overcrowding can hinder proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking.

Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the fries to cook unevenly and become soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches to achieve the best results. Once your fries are spread out in a single layer, you're ready to start cooking them.