Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch sticks
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced finely
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them into uniform 1/4-inch matchsticks. Place them in a large bowl of ice-cold water and soak for 30 minutes to extract excess surface starch.
  2. Drain and rinse the potatoes, then pat them completely dry using kitchen towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness; ensure they are bone-dry.
  3. In a dry bowl, toss the dried potato sticks with cornstarch and smoked paprika until a thin, even white film covers every piece.
  4. Drizzle the avocado oil over the starched potatoes and toss thoroughly to ensure the oil encapsulates the starch layer.
  5. Arrange the fries in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not over-crowded (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 10 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
  6. Pull the basket out and give it a vigorous shake.
  7. Mix the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl.
  8. Cook for another 5-8 minutes at 400°F (204°C) until the edges are dark brown and the centers are puffed. Total time should be around 18 minutes depending on your machine's power.
  9. Immediately dump the hot fries into a bowl and toss with the garlic and herb mixture while the oil is still hot.