Sweet Potato Air Fryer Hack: Foil Wrap?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, and they can be used to make delicious sweet potatoes with a crisp skin and fluffy insides. While wrapping potatoes in foil before placing them in an air fryer is a common practice, it is not necessary and may even make the skin soggy. Instead, simply scrub and pierce the sweet potatoes, coat them with oil, and place them directly into the air fryer for a quick and easy side dish or snack.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for air frying

Firstly, select the sweet potatoes you will be using. Choose potatoes with smooth, deep orange-tan skin that are heavy for their size. You can use any type of sweet potato, such as purple or Japanese. Ensure that the sweet potatoes do not have soft skin, wrinkles, cracks, or soft spots. Store the sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place for two to five weeks before use.

When you are ready to cook the sweet potatoes, begin by rinsing them under running water. Scrub the outsides well to remove any dirt or debris. Dry the potatoes thoroughly with a towel.

Next, use a fork to poke each potato several times. Aim for 8-10 punctures per potato to allow steam to escape while they cook. This will prevent the potatoes from bursting open.

Now, it is time to coat the sweet potatoes with oil. Drizzle or brush approximately one teaspoon of oil over each potato. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another high-smoke-point oil. Use your hands to rub the oil in and completely coat the potatoes.

Sprinkle each potato with salt. You can use regular table salt or opt for a good-quality salt like sea salt or kosher salt.

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F to 400°F, depending on the model. Place the prepared potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Leave about half an inch of space between each potato for optimal air circulation.

Cook the sweet potatoes for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on their size. Flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process. To check if the potatoes are done, insert a fork into the largest potato. If it slides in easily, the potatoes are ready. If not, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until they are fork-tender.

Once the potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can top them with butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, bacon, sour cream, cilantro, black beans, or corn, depending on your preference. Enjoy!

You can also store leftover sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four to five days. Alternatively, you can freeze them individually wrapped in foil and placed in a freezer bag for up to nine to twelve months.

The best cooking oil for air frying sweet potatoes

When it comes to choosing the best cooking oil for air frying sweet potatoes, there are several options that work well. Here are some recommendations and tips to help you achieve the best results:

Avocado Oil or Olive Oil:

• Avocado oil and olive oil are both great choices for air frying sweet potatoes. They have a high smoke point, which means they can withstand the high temperatures of an air fryer without burning.
• These oils help to crisp up the sweet potatoes and give them a delicious flavour.
• When using avocado oil or olive oil, preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (204°C).

Neutral-flavoured Oils:

If you're looking for a more neutral flavour, you can opt for oils such as canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil. These oils have a high smoke point and will also help to crisp up your sweet potatoes.

Cooking Spray:

Alternatively, you can use a cooking spray instead of pouring oil directly onto the sweet potatoes. This can help to control the amount of oil used and still provide a crispy texture.

Tips for Air Frying Sweet Potatoes:

• Cut the sweet potatoes into even sizes to ensure consistent cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the sweet potatoes in batches if needed to allow proper air circulation.
• Preheat your air fryer if recommended by the manufacturer. This helps ensure accurate cooking at the selected temperature.
• Flip or shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking.
• Experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Air fryer temperature and time for sweet potatoes

Air-frying sweet potatoes is a quick and easy way to cook them, and it results in a fluffy centre and crispy skin. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potato, but generally, sweet potatoes take around 35-45 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 370°F (190°C).

Preparation

First, make sure your sweet potatoes are clean and dry. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape—this is particularly important if you are cooking them whole. If you are cutting your sweet potatoes into cubes or fries, you can skip this step.

Next, toss the sweet potatoes in a little oil and season with salt and any other spices you like. You can also just brush the potatoes with oil and season after cooking.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (190°C). Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer with a little space around each one. Cook for 35-45 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the potatoes halfway through.

Serving

Sweet potatoes are delicious served with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar, or you can keep it savoury with some crumbled bacon and fresh herbs.

Storage

You can store leftover sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer or warm them up in the oven.

How to store and reheat air-fried sweet potatoes

Storing air-fried sweet potatoes is simple. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to four days.

When it comes to reheating, there are several methods you can use, depending on your desired level of crispiness and whether you are reheating whole sweet potatoes or sweet potato fries/chunks.

Reheating Whole Sweet Potatoes

To reheat whole sweet potatoes in an air fryer, wrap the potato in aluminium foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 350°F and the timer for 10-12 minutes. Use tongs to flip the potato halfway through the cooking process.

Alternatively, you can reheat whole sweet potatoes in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly oil a baking sheet. Place the sweet potatoes on the sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. For crispier skin, leave them in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Reheating Sweet Potato Fries, Chunks, or Diced Sweet Potato

For sweet potato fries, chunks, or diced sweet potato, the air fryer is also an option. Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 350°F for 3-5 minutes for diced sweet potatoes, 4-7 minutes for chunks, and 8-10 minutes for fries.

You can also reheat sweet potato fries in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Spread the fries on the tray and cook for 5-7 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Reheating Roasted Sweet Potatoes

To reheat roasted sweet potatoes, you can use either the air fryer or the oven. For the air fryer, place the potatoes in the basket in a single layer and cook at 350°F for 4-5 minutes. For the oven, preheat to 400°F and place the potatoes on a baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes, or until heated through.

Toppings and serving suggestions for air-fried sweet potatoes

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served in numerous ways. Here are some topping and serving suggestions to elevate your dish:

• Dipping Sauces: Serve your sweet potato wedges as fries with various dipping sauces such as ketchup, garlic aioli, or spicy mayo.
• The Comforting Side: Mash your air-fried sweet potatoes with a little butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Serve them alongside your favourite protein for a complete meal.
• The Hearty Salad: Add your air-fried sweet potatoes to a salad with quinoa, black beans, avocado, and a squeeze of lime. Top it off with salsa or a drizzle of tahini for added flavour.
• The Rice Bowl: Create a rice bowl by adding your air-fried sweet potatoes to a bowl with rice, beans, corn, and your choice of protein.
• The Savoury: Top your sweet potatoes with bacon, sour cream, cilantro, black beans, and corn for a Mexican treat.
• The Sweet: For a sweeter option, top your sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• The Spicy: Sprinkle on some chili powder, cumin, or pumpkin spice for a kick of heat.
• The Stuffed: Stuff your sweet potatoes with different fillings such as chicken, vegetarian chilli, or Italian-inspired ingredients.
• The Snack: Eat your air-fried sweet potatoes as a snack with a variety of dips such as cilantro chutney or sweet tamarind chutney.
• The Taco: Combine your air-fried sweet potatoes with chickpeas to make delicious sweet potato tacos.
• The Oatmeal: If you're planning to use your air-fried sweet potatoes in oatmeal, consider flavouring them with cinnamon.
• The Burrito: Add your air-fried sweet potatoes to a burrito bowl along with rice, beans, corn, and your choice of protein.
• The Indian Twist: Mash the roasted sweet potatoes and then mix them with oats and spices to make sweet potato tikkis.

These are just a few ideas, but feel free to experiment with your favourite seasonings and toppings to make these sweet potatoes your own!

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