Begin by thoroughly washing and peeling the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt. Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, slice the sweet potatoes thinly to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Consistent slices ensure they cook evenly.
Place the sliced sweet potatoes in a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Let them soak for about 30 minutes. Soaking helps to eliminate excess starch, resulting in crispier chips.
After soaking, carefully drain the sweet potato slices and transfer them to a clean kitchen towel. Pat them dry with another towel, ensuring you remove as much moisture as possible from the slices.
Transfer the dried sweet potato slices to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over them and toss gently to ensure all the slices are evenly coated with the oil.
Sprinkle the garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper over the sweet potato slices. Toss well again to evenly distribute the seasonings, ensuring every chip is enveloped in flavor.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Once it's hot, arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; working in batches if necessary will ensure proper crisping.
Air fry the sweet potato chips for approximately 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness. Keep a close watch towards the end of the cooking time to achieve your preferred level of crunch.
When the chips are golden and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. They will continue to crisp as they cool.
Notes
Serve in a stylish bowl and garnish with herbs for an inviting appetizer.