Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato (Printable)

Golden, spiced sweet potato fries air-fried to crispiness with bold Cajun seasoning and fresh parsley garnish.

# What You 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - Toss the peeled, cut sweet potato fries with olive oil in a large mixing bowl until evenly coated.
03 - In a small bowl, blend smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and sea salt.
04 - Sprinkle the mixed spices over the sweet potatoes and toss thoroughly until each fry is uniformly coated.
05 - Place the fries in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the fries halfway through, until they achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
07 - Transfer fries to a serving plate, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy on the outside and creamy inside without deep-frying or feeling greasy.
  • The Cajun spice blend is forgiving enough to adjust but bold enough to feel special and intentional.
  • Fifteen minutes of cooking means you can go from hungry to satisfied faster than ordering takeout.
02 -
  • Soak cut fries in cold water for 30 minutes and dry them thoroughly before seasoning—this removes starch and makes them genuinely crispy, not just soft inside.
  • Air fryers vary wildly in temperature accuracy, so start checking at 15 minutes; some baskets need just 17, others need the full 20.
  • Cayenne heat builds as it sits, so taste a test fry before serving to guests who might not love spice.
03 -
  • Cut your sweet potatoes right before cooking so they don't oxidize and turn gray—it's purely cosmetic but it matters when you're plating.
  • If you want extra crispy fries, toss them in a little cornstarch along with the oil before seasoning; the starch creates an ultra-crunchy exterior.
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