These Japanese sweet potato fries are easy, crispy and delicious! They are a fun and unique take on classic French fries. These homemade fries are golden crispy and so flavorful. Great for a quick and easy snack or side dish!

Japanese sweet potato fries on pan

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These Japanese sweet potato fries are so crispy!
  • They are quick and easy to make.
  • Make in the air fryer or oven.
  • This recipe requires only a few ingredients.
  • Great as a snack, appetizer or side dish.
  • This recipe is Whole30 approved, Paleo, gluten free, dairy free, and sugar free.
  • Check out these Whole30 French Fries for another great recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Japanese sweet potatoes have a purple burgundy skin and white insides. I buy them from Whole Foods. For regular sweet potato fries, check out these Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries.

Olive oil, avocado oil and melted coconut oil are all great oils to use. If making these potatoes on the sweeter side, I recommend melted coconut oil.

A pinch of sea salt and pepper adds a touch of flavor! See below for some flavor variations.

Crispy golden potatoes

What are Japanese Sweet Potatoes?

Japanese sweet potatoes are potatoes that have a purple skin and white flesh. They are used in both sweet and savory dishes.

These potatoes have a slightly nutty flavor that. In addition, they are more starchy, firm and dry than regular sweet potatoes.

Japanese sweet potatoes can be roasted, simmered, steamed, air fried, baked and deep fried.

Japanese sweet potatoes

Taste & Texture

These fries taste like a mix between regular French fries and sweet potato fries. They are more starchy than sweet potato fries, but slightly more sweet than regular fries.

They are golden crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.

How to Make – Air Fryer

Step 1

First, preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray air fryer basket with nonstick spray.

Step 2

Wash and pat dry potatoes. Slice each potato into fries. The thicker the fries, they longer they take to cook.

Step 3

Place fries in a large bowl. Toss with olive oil, sea salt and pepper until fully coated.

Seasoned potatoes in bowl

Step 4

Then, arrange fries in one even layer in basket.

Fries in air fryer basket

Step 5

Air fry for 10 minutes. Then flip and cook another 10 minutes or until fries are crispy on the outside and fork tender on the inside.

Crispy fries in air fryer

Step 6

Finally, remove from air fryer and serve!

Oven Method

This is how to bake Japanese sweet potato fries in the oven.

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray baking pan with nonstick spray.
  • Wash and dry potatoes. Slice into fries.
  • Toss with oil, sea salt and pepper.
  • Arrange in one even layer on pan.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Then flip and bake another 15 minutes or so.
  • Finally, remove from heat and serve.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Slice fries into equal sizes. This yields equally cooked and crispy fries.

Fully coat fries in oil before cooking. This ensures that the fries get crispy.

Cook until fries are fork tender. If the fries are extra thick, double check that they are cooked through and not firm.

Crispy sweet potato fries

How to Serve & Store

Serve fries hot from the air fryer or oven! They are especially delicious with these Keto Turkey Burgers, Whole30 Meatloaf and Whole30 Sloppy Joes.

Store fries in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place back in air fryer or oven until warmed.

Flavor Variations

This is a great basic recipe for these fries! Try tossing them with these seasonings before air frying or roasting.

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Cinnamon and nutmeg

Coconut sugar

Cayenne powder

Cumin

Paprika

As always, use as much or as little seasoning to suit your taste.

Dipping Sauces

Fries are the perfect vehicle for dipping sauces! These Japanese sweet potato fries are great with ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard, Ranch and this Whole30 Garlic Aioli.

Japanese sweet potato fries with ketchup

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Japanese sweet potatoes and regular sweet potatoes?

Japanese sweet potatoes have a different texture, color and taste than regular sweet potatoes. They have a purple skin, white flesh, and more starch.

Should you peel the skin?

There is no need to peel the skin. Feel free to peel skin if you really want to!

Where do you buy them?

Japanese sweet potatoes are offered at Whole Foods.

You May Also Like

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along! 

Japanese sweet potato fries on pan

Get the Recipe: Japanese Sweet Potato Fries

These Japanese sweet potato fries are crispy, easy and delicious! They can be made in either an oven or air fryer. Either way, they are a healthy and flavorful side dish or snack!
5 from 3 votes

Ingredients

Instructions 

Air Fryer Method

  • First, preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray air fryer basket or pan with nonstick spray.
  • Wash and pat dry potatoes. Slice each potato into fries. The thicker they are, the longer they take to cook.
  • Add fries to large bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss until fries are completely coated.
  • Arrange fries in one even layer on air fryer pan.
  • Air fry for 10 minutes. Then, carefully flip fries. Air fry another 10 minutes or until crispy on the outside and fork tender on the inside.

Oven Method

  • First, preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking pan with nonstick spray.
  • Wash and pat dry potatoes. Slice each potato into fries. The thicker they are, the longer they take to cook.
  • Add fries to large bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss until fries are completely coated.
  • Arrange fries in one even layer on baking pan.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Then, carefully flip fries. Bake for another 15 minutes or until crispy on the outside and fork tender on the inside.

Notes

  • Japanese sweet potatoes have a burgundy purple skin and white insides.  I buy them from Whole Foods.
  • Avocado oil or melted coconut oil can replace olive oil.
  • See blog post above for different flavor combinations.
  • Air fry or bake until fries are crispy on the outside and fork tender on the inside.
  • To test if they are done, take a fork and pierce middle of fries.  If they are tender, they are done.  If they are firm or hard, continue cooking.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.  
Calories: 175kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 653mg, Potassium: 445mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 18446IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 1mg

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