Cajun Spiced Sweet Potatoes (Printable)

Crispy sweet potatoes coated in Cajun spice blend and air-fried for a tasty, golden snack or side.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 2 large sweet potatoes, 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
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 - Place sweet potato fries in a large bowl and toss with olive oil until evenly coated.
03 - Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and sea salt in a small bowl.
04 - Sprinkle the spice mixture over the fries and toss thoroughly to ensure even coverage.
05 - Place fries in a single layer inside the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air-fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the fries halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
07 - Transfer fries to a serving dish, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • They're crispy on the outside without drowning in oil, so you actually feel good eating them.
  • The Cajun spices are bold enough to make plain sweet potatoes feel like something special without any complicated fussing.
  • They come together in 30 minutes flat, perfect for when you need a side dish that tastes like you tried.
02 -
  • Soaking cut sweet potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking removes surface starch and makes them noticeably crispier—I learned this the hard way after a batch turned out more soft than crunchy.
  • The heat level lives or dies on cayenne, so taste a tiny pinch before you commit the whole batch, especially if you're cooking for people who don't like spice.
03 -
  • Cut your fries to a consistent 1/4-inch thickness so they cook at the same rate—uneven sizes mean some burn while others stay soft.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes, though they won't be quite as crispy—turn them halfway and don't skip the soaking step.
Go Back