Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato Fries (Printable)

Crispy sweet potato fries coated in bold Cajun spices and air-fried to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes (approximately 1.54 lbs), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch fries

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Optional Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to warm for 3 minutes.
02 - Place the cut sweet potato fries in a large bowl and toss with olive oil until evenly coated.
03 - Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and sea salt in a small bowl.
04 - Sprinkle the spice mix over the sweet potatoes and toss thoroughly to ensure even coverage.
05 - Arrange fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air-fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket or turning fries halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp.
07 - Transfer fries to a serving plate, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that crispy restaurant texture without the guilt of deep frying, and the spices actually taste bold instead of buried in grease.
  • The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for when you want something special but don't have all evening.
  • One batch wins over skeptics—sweet potatoes somehow feel fancier when they're coated in Cajun heat.
02 -
  • If your fries come out soft instead of crisp, the oil coating was too heavy or you crowded the basket—less is more with oil, and air fryers need breathing room.
  • Soaking the cut fries in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking removes excess starch and gives you that extra crispiness that makes people ask for your recipe.
03 -
  • Pat your soaked fries completely dry with a clean towel before seasoning—any excess moisture fights against crispiness and steams the potatoes instead of frying them.
  • Don't skip the halfway shake or flip during cooking; it's the difference between fries that are crispy all over and fries that are crispy on one side and soft on the other.
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