Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips: Your Easy Guide to Healthy, Flavorful Snacking
Say goodbye to greasy, deep-fried snacks and hello to the delightfully crispy world of Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips! This recipe is a game-changer for anyone seeking a healthier, quick, and incredibly delicious snack that everyone, from kids to adults, will absolutely adore. With the magic of an air fryer, you can transform humble sweet potatoes into crunchy, flavorful chips in less than 10 minutes. The best part? You have complete control over the seasoning, allowing you to customize them exactly to your taste preferences.
Sweet potato chips have always been a personal favorite, but the traditional deep-frying method often meant a mess and a less-than-healthy indulgence. That’s why discovering how effortless and rewarding it is to make them in the air fryer was a revelation! These golden, crispy delights are not only quick to prepare but also provide a wholesome alternative to store-bought varieties that are often loaded with unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients.
If you’re searching for a snack that is genuinely delicious, surprisingly healthy, and incredibly easy to whip up, look no further. Our air fryer sweet potato chips recipe ticks all the boxes, making it a staple in many households, including mine. My entire family enjoys this quick and easy recipe, and I’m confident yours will too!
You’ll only need a handful of fresh ingredients and one key kitchen tool – a mandolin – to achieve perfectly thin and even chip slices. While a mandolin makes the process incredibly efficient, you can also use a sharp knife and a steady hand if you prefer.
For those eager to dive right into the cooking, feel free to skip to the bottom of this post where you can find the printable recipe card with all the essential tips and tricks. But if you have a few minutes, keep reading for detailed insights, customization ideas, and troubleshooting advice to make your sweet potato chips absolutely perfect every time.
If you enjoy experimenting with your air fryer, you might also love these other healthy snack ideas like air fryer beet chips. And for more sweet potato goodness, don’t miss our air fryer sweet potato wedges. Craving more potato-based treats? Try making these easy air fryer steak fries, classic air fryer potato wedges, and nostalgic air fryer tater tots.
Ingredients for Perfect Sweet Potato Chips
Creating these delightful chips requires minimal ingredients, proving that sometimes the simplest recipes yield the most satisfying results. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show! Choose firm, unblemished sweet potatoes for the best results.
- Olive Oil: A light coating is all it takes to help them crisp up beautifully and carry the seasonings.
- Sea Salt: Enhances the natural sweetness and provides that classic chip flavor.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and savory depth.
- Cinnamon: A touch of cinnamon complements the sweet potato’s natural flavor, adding a hint of cozy sweetness.
TIP: When using a mandolin, safety is paramount! Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and, crucially, use the cutting gloves that come with it. Mandolins are incredibly sharp, and attempting to slice without proper hand protection can lead to serious injury. Never use a mandolin without your cutting gloves.
How to Make Sweet Potato Chips in Air Fryer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making crispy sweet potato chips in your air fryer is surprisingly simple. Follow these steps for the best results:
- Prepare your sweet potatoes: Using your mandolin, carefully slice the sweet potatoes to your desired chip thickness. For extra crispy chips, aim for a thickness of about 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.5-3mm). Consistency is key here, as uneven slices will cook unevenly. If you don’t have a mandolin, a very sharp knife can work, but take extra care to keep slices uniform.
- Season with olive oil: Place the thinly sliced sweet potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle them generously with olive oil. Toss thoroughly to ensure every slice is evenly coated. This oil layer is crucial for achieving that desirable crisp texture and helping the seasonings adhere.
-
Add your favorite seasonings: Once the sweet potato slices are coated with oil, sprinkle in the sea salt, ground black pepper, and cinnamon. Toss again, ensuring all the slices are evenly covered with the delicious seasoning blend. For different flavor profiles, see our “Customizing Your Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips” section below.
- Arrange in the air fryer basket: Place the seasoned sweet potato chips into the basket of your air fryer. For optimal crispiness, arrange them in a single layer as much as possible. A slight overlap on the edges is acceptable, but avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to steaming instead of crisping. You may need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry to perfection: Air fry the sweet potato chips at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for 7-9 minutes. The precise cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chips and the specific model of your air fryer. Thinner chips will require less time than thicker ones. For even cooking and maximum crispiness, shake the basket or flip the chips halfway through the cooking process. Keep a close eye on them, especially during the last few minutes, as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly.
- Cool and serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the chips from the air fryer basket. Transfer them to a plate or a cooling rack and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. This cooling period is crucial, as it helps the chips crisp up further. They’ll become delightfully crunchy as they reach room temperature.
NOTE: This recipe was developed and tested using a basket-style Cosori air fryer. Air fryers can vary significantly in their cooking power and efficiency. If you are using a different brand or style of air fryer (e.g., oven-style), you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly. It’s always a good idea to monitor your chips closely, especially during your first batch, to find the perfect setting for your appliance.
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Customizing Your Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips: Flavor Variations
While the simple blend of sea salt, black pepper, and cinnamon is a delightful classic, one of the best things about making homemade sweet potato chips is the endless possibilities for customization. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your seasonings!
- Savory & Herbaceous: For a more savory profile, try adding garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of smoked paprika, or dried herbs like rosemary and thyme. A dash of Italian seasoning can also work wonders.
- Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, mix in some cayenne pepper, chili powder, or a dash of red pepper flakes with your other seasonings. Adjust to your desired level of spice!
- Sweet Treat: Enhance the natural sweetness of the potatoes by replacing the savory spices with a blend of brown sugar and cinnamon, or even a dash of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice. A light drizzle of maple syrup or honey before air frying can also create a caramelized exterior, just be careful not to use too much as it can burn easily.
Troubleshooting Tips for Crispy Sweet Potato Chips
Even though this recipe is straightforward, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
- Soggy Chips: This is the most common complaint. The main culprit is usually overcrowding the air fryer basket. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, and if the chips are piled up, the air can’t reach all surfaces, leading to steaming instead of crisping. Always cook in batches if necessary, ensuring as much of a single layer as possible. Additionally, make sure your slices are thin enough and that you’ve used enough oil to promote crisping. Not cooking long enough can also result in soggy chips.
- Burning Quickly: If your chips are burning before they crisp up, your temperature might be too high, or your slices might be too thin for the chosen temperature. Try reducing the temperature slightly (e.g., to 325-340°F) and keeping a very close eye on them. Remember, thinner chips require less cooking time.
- Uneven Cooking: This often happens if chips aren’t arranged in a single layer or if you forget to shake the basket/flip them halfway through. Uneven slicing can also be a factor.
Serving Suggestions for Your Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
These crispy sweet potato chips are incredibly versatile! They make a fantastic standalone snack, perfect for movie nights or afternoon munchies. You can also serve them:
- As a healthy side dish instead of regular fries with burgers, sandwiches, or grilled chicken.
- Paired with your favorite dips like hummus, guacamole, a cool Greek yogurt dip, or even a spicy sriracha mayo.
- Crumbled over salads for an extra layer of crunch and flavor.
- As part of a snack board for entertaining guests.
FAQs about Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
Store any remaining sweet potato chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. While they might lose some of their initial crispiness, a quick refresh in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes can often bring some of that crunch back.
Beyond the basic salt, pepper, and cinnamon, the possibilities are vast! You can go savory with cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. For a spicy kick, add cayenne or a pinch of chili powder. Alternatively, lean into the sweet side with a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture, or even a touch of pumpkin pie spice. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination!
The most common reason for soggy chips is overcrowding the air fryer basket. Ensure you’re cooking them in a single layer, or as close to it as possible, allowing for adequate air circulation. If your air fryer is small, cook in multiple batches. Also, make sure your slices are thin and even, and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack after cooking to maximize crispness.
No, there’s generally no need to soak sweet potatoes before air frying. Sweet potatoes contain much less starch compared to regular potatoes, so the soaking step (often done to remove excess starch for crispier traditional potato fries/chips) isn’t necessary for this recipe.
Yes, you can! While a mandolin is highly recommended for achieving consistently thin and even slices (which is key to uniform crispiness), you can use a very sharp chef’s knife. Take your time and focus on making each slice as uniform in thickness as possible. Just be extra careful with your fingers!
Peeling sweet potatoes for chips is entirely optional. The skin is nutritious and adds a rustic texture to the chips. Just make sure to scrub them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt before slicing.
If you’re a fan of simple, crispy air fryer snacks, you must try these other fantastic recipes: air fryer chickpeas, air fryer gnocchi, air fryer granola, air fryer Chex mix, air fryer tortilla chips or air fryer popcorn!
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES:
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole
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4
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips
Jen
5 minutes
8 minutes
2 minutes
15 minutes
Rate
Equipment
-
1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
-
2
medium
sweet potatoes -
1
Tablespoon
olive oil -
1
teaspoon
sea salt -
3/4
teaspoon
ground black pepper -
1/2
teaspoon
ground cinnamon
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
-
Take the mandolin and carefully slice the sweet potatoes to your desired chip thickness.
-
Place the sweet potato slices in a bowl and cover the slices evenly with the olive oil.
-
Once the sweet potato slices are coated, add the salt, pepper, and cinnamon, covering the slices evenly.
-
Add the sweet potato chips to the basket of the air fryer. Overlapping slightly is ok.
-
Air fry sweet potato chips at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chips. Thinner chips will need less time than thicker chips.
-
Carefully remove from the air fryer and allow to cool and crisp slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
If you are using a mandolin for the first time, make sure you follow the directions and use the cutting gloves that come with it. Using a mandolin without cutting gloves can be risky for your fingers and hands. Don’t use a mandolin without them.
Season the sweet potato chips with different flavors such as cumin and cayenne for a spicy flavor, or make them sweet with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories:
130
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
23
g
,
Protein:
2
g
,
Fat:
4
g
,
Saturated Fat:
1
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.4
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
3
g
,
Sodium:
644
mg
,
Potassium:
387
mg
,
Fiber:
4
g
,
Sugar:
5
g
,
Vitamin A:
16034
IU
,
Vitamin C:
3
mg
,
Calcium:
38
mg
,
Iron:
1
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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