If you love air fryer sweet potato fries make this refined sugar free dessert recipe for a better-for-you treat that tastes like churro fries! Also, vegan friendly, gluten free, dairy free, and nightshade free!
Welcome to refined sugar free recipes month! For the next few weeks, there will be lots of helpful information on the topic of refined sugar. And of course, fantastic, delicious recipes, all without processed sugar!
Now, let’s get to the sweet stuff.
As I mentioned in last week’s air fried vegetables post, I have an infatuation with my Krups air fryer.
I’m a skeptic turned fanatic because air frying is a healthier, less messy way to cook. Not to mention, a great way to keep your kitchen cool. What’s not to love about that?!
But I digress. Let’s get back to my love for air fryer recipes, because it’s long and strong. Cauliflower “popcorn,” ranch sweet potato patties, antioxidant rich air fryer chicken tenders. You name it, I’ll air fry it… even dessert!
Dessert style air fryer sweet potato fries
Who doesn’t love fries? Now, it may seem strange to think of them as a dessert, but I need you to trust me on this. Sweet, salty, cinnamon(y) and refined sugar free. Better than than any other sweet potato dessert out there. I may be bias.
The texture and flavor remind me of the Mexican churros you can get at Costco or the county fair. But they’re refined sugar free, so a better-for-you treat! And way better than churro fries.
Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams
Sweet potatoes and yams are essentially the same vegetable, but they come from different plant species.
Chances are, unless you’ve been to Africa or another area where they are grown, you may not have eaten “real” yams. There’s a reason for this. There are many different colors and sizes of sweet potatoes, ranging from white to golden, orange, and even purple. They come in one of two consistencies; soft or firm.
Firm sweet potatoes stay firm after cooking, while soft varieties become moist and softer. The soft varieties are what many stores in the U.S. label as yams. (source)
Air fryer sweet potato fries (and the potatoes themselves) are loaded with:
- potassium and fiber, especially the sweet potato skins
- great source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A
- rich in antioxidants
- sweet like candy, but without all of the unhealthy carbs
Sweet potatoes are a little lower in calories and higher in beta-carotene and vitamin C than yams. Yams have slightly more potassium and manganese, and they both contain a good source of B vitamins.
More nutritional info (source)
Yams – (with skin)
- Calories: 116
- Carbohydrates: 27.5 grams
- Dietary fiber: 3.9 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
Sweet potato – (with skin)
- Calories: 90
- Carbohydrates: 20.7 grams
- Dietary fiber: 3.3 grams
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Sweet potatoes– Feel free to use yams, or a combination of yam and sweet potato.
BUT, if you want a lower carb option, you can use jicima instead.
- Oil– Use a healthier oil such as coconut, avocado, or grape seed
- Coconut sugar– Despite the name, this sweetener does not come from coconut trees. It has a lower glycemic index than white cane sugar, and it isn’t processed, so your body will absorb it a bit easier.
This being said, it is sugar. So, treat it like any other sugar in regard to carbs and calories, m’kay?
Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries: Recipe Video
To see how easy this recipe is to make, watch this video!
FAQ
Let me answer some quick questions that are bound to come up about making the air fried sweet potato fries dessert:
Do you need an air fryer to make this recipe?
No air fryer is necessary! I hope you will own one soon, but in the meantime, you will be happy to know that dessert fries can also be baked in an oven. Check out the recipe below for the oven baking option.
What can I serve with them?
Naturally, the fries are perfectly delicious and refined sugar free on their own. This doesn’t mean they can’t be better, though! Honestly, they are even better when they’re dipped into something sweet, like:
- chocolate hummus
- vegan dulce de leche sauce
- maple cashew cream frosting
- yogurt dipping sauce.
- sugar free chocolate sauce
Ready to get your dessert fries fix?
Print
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries (Refined Sugar Free Dessert)
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
If you love air fryer sweet potato fries make this refined sugar free dessert recipe for a healthier treat that tastes like churro fries! Also, vegan option, gluten free, and nightshade free!
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes or yams
- 1/2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch
- optional – 2 tsp clarified butter or plant based butter (for coating fries)
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or sucanat sugar (whole cane sugar)
- 1 – 2 tbsps cinnamon (to taste)
- Sugar free (we used Swerve) powdered sugar for dusting, optional
Instructions
Air Fryer Directions:
- Peel sweet potatoes, then rinse with tap water and use paper towels to pat dry. Cut lengthwise into slices, 1/2 inch thick.
- Place slices in a bowl with coconut oil and arrowroot/cornstarch and toss to coat
- Transfer to basket of air fryer and bake for 8 minutes at 370°F. After 8 minutes, gently shake the basket or use tongs to move fries around, then continue baking for another 8-10 minutes.
- After cooking, transfer fries from air fryer to a large bowl. Drizzle optional butter onto fries, add cinnamon and sugar, then toss to combine.
- Transfer sweet potato fries to serving platter and sprinkle with optional powdered sugar.
Serve with dipping sauce of choice (see notes). To store, wrap fries in foil and refrigerate. Use within 3 days. Reheat in 375°F. oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Oven Baked Option:
- Preheat oven to 400F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Clean, cut, and season sweet potato fries as shown in air fryer instructions, above.
- Arrange fries in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, then use tongs to flip and move the fries around on the pan. Bake for additional 10- 12 minutes.
- Remove from oven and leave on pan to cool. If desired, sprinkle with extra cinnamon or powdered sugar.
Notes
Dipping Sauce Options
- Vegan Dulce De Leche Sauce (Refined Sugar Free)
- Coconut Cream Vegan Frosting (Paleo Option)
- Category: desserts
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer sweet potato fries, dessert fries, refined sugar free, gluten free, dairy free, vegan
Leave your answer in the comments below (because I want to know!)
Do you own an air fryer?
What are your favorite recipes to make in it??
And, GO!
Happy snacking!
LC
I love sweet potato fries, but I had never tried them as a dessert. Talk about amazing! They were a huge hit with my crew!
Brilliant! I would eat this for dessert every single night!
★★★★★
This. Looks. Like. HEAVEN. OF COURSE. I seriously need to try making sweet potato fries in the air-fryer–given, I would demolish the whole batch in one go! No surprise! Vegan butter or coconut oil makes the sweet potato fries so much crispier!
Okay friend, you are the nicest. THANK YOU! <3
wow, it looks delicious, i like to eat this dish.
Why thank you! Glad you enjoy.
Mhmm, these dessert fries are really speaking to my sweet tooth!
right? Best of both worlds.
Dessert fries? Who knew! And with maple frosting I”m sooo in! Now, since I have a convection oven do I still need an air fryer? I’m so sorry about your site getting hacked. Talk about a stress ball! So happy to hear you were able to get the support you needed. xo
Yes, you can do them in an oven! Second set of instructions in the recipe;) You’re so gonna love. I know, it was such a massive pain. Thank you, my dear! <3
I LOVE sweet potatoes. One of the few orange-toned things I like these days. 😉
I really, really, really need an air fryer. And a bigger kitchen.
bro, just move in! k? seriously, I miss you!
Seeing so many beautiful air fried goodies makes me want to request one for Christmas. It’s beautiful…
WHOA girl! Did you just say “dessert fries”???
★★★★★
Oh I really need to invest in a little air fryer! These look amazing!
My hubby LOVES sweet potatoes so to have something sweet & savory like this for dessert is fantastic. Can’t wait to get jicama to try this with!
★★★★★
Love the idea of dipping these into a homemade sweet dessert hummus!! 🙂
This recipe alone is enough to get me to buy and air fryer! Such a fun, delicious, healthier dessert!
★★★★★
Glad you got your site back up and running! I noticed you commented on my site last night and I was like OMG should I approve this? Is it really Lindsay or the hacker?
haha that was me! Phew, all good now!
One of my favs! So simple + delicious… Dessert sweet potatoes, I call them 😉
★★★★★
Serve them with raw almond butter or cinnamon-sprinkled grassfed butter, if eating plan-friendly.
OMG that’s genius Liz!