Make these healthy chipotle sweet potato fries in the oven or air fryer using only a fraction of the oil compared to deep frying.
Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries
These crispy chipotle sweet potato fries use just a touch of olive oil and are seasoned with ground chipotle chile powder, garlic powder, and salt for a tasty blend of spicy, smoky, and sweet flavors. Whether baked in the oven or cooked in the air fryer, they turn out excellent and are much lighter than traditional sweet
potato fries.
Why This Recipe Works
I love making homemade French fries, and changing up the flavors is a great way to keep them interesting. I have my classic air fryer sweet potato fries, garlic parmesan fries, and air fryer nacho fries, just to name a few. These
chipotle sweet potato fries are perfect when I’m craving something spicier and smokier.
- Healthier than fast food: Contains much less oil.
- Flexible cooking options: Two methods for whatever works best for you.
- Balanced flavors: The sweetness of the sweet potatoes balances the smokiness and spiciness of the chipotle powder.
Ingredients You’ll Need
If you’re not familiar with ground chipotle chile powder, it’s made from dried, smoked jalapeños and is spicier than chili powder. Most supermarkets carry it (McCormick has a version); you’ll find it in the spice aisle. See the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Sweet potato: Peel the potato first. Slice it lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick pieces, then cut them into ¼-inch fries. Try to make them about the same size so they cook evenly. You can also use a mandoline to cut them.
- Olive oil prevents the potatoes from drying out and helps the seasoning stick.
- Sweet Potato Fries Seasoning: Kosher salt, garlic powder, and ground chipotle powder
- Olive oil spray: Spray the tops of the fries before air frying to help them get even crispier.
Time-saving tip
Some grocery stores sell pre-cut sweet potatoes if you don’t want to cut your own.
How to Make Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries
I’ve included instructions for both the oven and air fryer to make these easy sweet potato fries. The air fryer will give you crisper fries, but the oven works well if you’re feeding a lot of people. Check the recipe card at the bottom for printable directions.
- Season the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and chipotle chile powder.
- Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Flip them and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.
- Air fry sweet potato fries: Place them in the basket and spritz with oil. Cook at 400°F for 7 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Why are my sweet potato fries soggy?
While homemade fries may never be as crispy as deep-fried ones, you can get pretty close with the tips below. If you have any advice for crispy sweet potato fries, let me know in the comments!
- Cut them into equal-sized pieces so they all finish at the same time.
- Thinner fries will crisp up better than thicker ones.
- Soak the potatoes in hot tap water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat them dry.
- Don’t crowd the pan. Make sure there’s enough space around each fry in the oven and air fryer so air can circulate and the potatoes don’t steam. If using the air fryer, you might need to cook them in multiple batches.
- Don’t coat the potatoes with too much oil, as it can make them soggy.
- Convection ovens function like air fryers by circulating hot air to make food crispier. If your oven has a convection setting, preheat it to 400°F.
- Don’t use parchment: For best results, place the sweet potatoes directly on the sheet pan. Spray the pan with oil first to prevent sticking.
- Turn halfway: Flip the food midway through to ensure even cooking.
Variations
- Potatoes: Use Yukon Gold or russet potatoes.
- Fiber boost: Don’t peel the potatoes.
- Make them milder: Swap chipotle powder for chili powder.
- Make them spicier: Sprinkle them with cayenne pepper.
- Make them even smokier by adding some smoked paprika or cumin.
- No garlic powder? Use onion powder.
Sauce for Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries
The fries are delicious with ketchup or ranch dip, or for more of a kick, try them with my spicy chipotle ketchup.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these healthy chipotle sweet potato fries with burgers, or for a lower-carb option, skip the bun and serve them with a protein.
Burgers
Protein
Storage
Sweet potato fries are best hot and crispy straight out of the oven or air fryer, but if you don’t reheat them in the microwave, they will still be delicious as leftovers.
- Meal prep tip: Slice the sweet potatoes the day before cooking and refrigerate in an airtight container.
- Refrigerator: Let the chipotle sweet potato fries cool before storing them in an airtight container. They will last for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat them in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until warm. Microwaving will make them soggy.
- Freeze: Flash-freeze the cooked fries on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Follow the original instructions for reheating frozen French fries.
More Sweet Potato Recipes You’ll Love
For more dinner ideas using sweet potatoes, check out these five delicious high-fiber recipes to inspire your next meal!
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato, (about 6 ounces) peeled and sliced ¼" thick
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground chipotle chile powder
- olive oil spray
Instructions
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, garlic powder and chipotle chile powder.
- Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Avoid crowding so potatoes get crisp. Bake 15 minutes. Turn and bake an additional 10-15 minutes. Ovens may vary so keep an eye on them and be sure to cut all the potatoes the same size to ensure even cooking.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, garlic powder and chipotle chile powder.
- Transfer to the air fryer basket, spritz the top with olive oil then cook at 400°F in a single layer without overcrowding the basket until golden brown and crisp on the outside, about 7 to 8 minutes, turning half way.
