Cut Evenly For Crispiness
The first step to achieving perfectly crispy sweet potato fries involves preparing them correctly. Begin by ensuring that all the sweet potato pieces are
uniform in size and shape. This is an important step. By cutting the sweet potatoes consistently, you are guaranteeing that they will cook evenly. Uneven pieces cook at different rates, leading to some being overcooked and others still undercooked, thereby compromising the overall texture. The key is to aim for consistency in thickness, as this will help ensure that each fry crisps up beautifully at the same time. This meticulous preparation lays the groundwork for delicious results.
Soak To Remove Starch
Next, the process of soaking the cut sweet potatoes plays a crucial role. After you have cut the potatoes, placing them in cold water for around 30 minutes serves a distinct purpose. Soaking helps to draw out excess starch from the sweet potatoes. This step is a hidden secret for achieving that crispy exterior. The starch, if not removed, can prevent the fries from crisping up effectively, leading to a softer, less appealing texture. By soaking, you're essentially prepping the fries to deliver the optimal crunch. Change the water a few times during this process to enhance the starch removal, which is a key part to crafting fries with the perfect texture.
Cornflour for Crunch
Incorporating cornflour into the recipe adds another layer to the crispiness of your sweet potato fries. Once the sweet potato sticks have been soaked and drained, it's time to add a light coating of cornflour. This technique adds a bit more crunch and helps the fries develop that desired golden-brown exterior. The cornflour acts as a drying agent, drawing moisture away from the surface of the fries as they cook, and therefore helping them achieve a more crisp texture. Make sure that the coating of cornflour is even; this will contribute to a consistent crunch throughout your fries. Gently toss the fries in cornflour to make sure they're lightly covered before the cooking stage.
Use High Heat
The method of cooking sweet potato fries at a high temperature is critical for achieving that perfect crispiness. The ideal way to make sure that fries become perfectly crisp is to cook them at a high temperature. When using an oven or air fryer, maintain a temperature of at least 200°C (392°F). High heat allows the fries to cook quickly, which results in a crispy exterior while keeping the insides soft and tender. The high temperature rapidly evaporates the surface moisture, leading to a satisfying crunch. Don’t overcrowd your cooking surface; doing so can lower the overall temperature and lead to soggy fries. It's better to cook in batches if you need to, which will guarantee that each fry has enough space and access to the hot air.
Don't Overcrowd The Pan
Lastly, the cooking process has to be done with care. This involves ensuring you don’t overcrowd the pan or air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lower the cooking temperature, resulting in steamed, rather than fried, sweet potato fries. It's a common mistake, but an important one to avoid. Cooking in small batches is a perfect way to ensure that each fry gets enough exposure to the hot air, contributing to even cooking and maximum crispiness. When cooking in batches, make sure each batch is evenly spaced out, so that they all cook consistently. This simple step ensures that each fry gets the attention it needs to become golden, crispy, and delicious.
