Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can bake sweet potatoes in an air fryer! They are super easy to make and take much less time than baking them in the oven. The skin will be crispy and the inside soft and fluffy.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for air frying

Preparing sweet potatoes for air frying is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

Firstly, select the right sweet potatoes. Choose ones with firm, smooth, and even skin, with as few wrinkles as possible. Avoid any with dark patches or wrinkled skin. Moist sweet potatoes are best for baking, so look for red or orange varieties.

Next, prepare the sweet potatoes. Wash and scrub them thoroughly until the water runs clear. Dry them well with a clean towel to ensure any excess moisture is removed. This step is important as it helps the skin to crisp up. Then, prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork to allow the steam to escape during cooking.

Now it's time to season the sweet potatoes. Using your hands or a brush, coat the outsides with a thin layer of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice. Then, sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice. Be sure to coat them evenly so that all sides will crisp up nicely.

Finally, it's time to air fry! Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for proper air circulation. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and time, typically between 350-400°F (180-200°C) for 20-50 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Shake the air fryer basket occasionally during cooking to ensure even cooking.

Once the time is up, remove the sweet potatoes from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving. You can top them with butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, or any other toppings of your choice. Enjoy!

How to serve air-fried sweet potatoes

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to serve them:

Choosing the Right Sweet Potatoes:

Select sweet potatoes with firm, smooth, and even skin, free from cracks, wrinkles, or soft spots. Go for moist sweet potatoes, which are red or orange on the outside, as they are sweeter and have a creamier texture when cooked.

Preparation and Cooking:

Before cooking, wash and scrub the sweet potatoes, then pat them dry. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork or knife to allow steam to escape during cooking. You can also rub them with olive oil, avocado oil, or butter, and season with salt and pepper for added flavour. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and cook at around 200°C/400°F for 20-50 minutes, depending on their size.

Simple Toppings:

For a simple and tasty dish, serve the air-fried sweet potatoes with butter, coconut oil, or vegan butter. You can also sprinkle on chilli powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice for a calorie-free option.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes:

Get creative and stuff your air-fried sweet potatoes with various fillings. Some ideas include chicken enchilada, loaded vegetarian, or Italian-style fillings. You can also use the baked sweet potato flesh in other dishes like gnocchi, mashed potato, patties, toasties, or as a topping for pies.

Sweet Potato Sides:

Air-fried sweet potatoes go well with a variety of side dishes. Try serving them with air-fried chicken tenders, fried chicken, whole chicken, pork loin, meatloaf, or sirloin steak. A small bowl of soup or salad can also complement the dish.

Topping Ideas:

For a savoury kick, top your sweet potatoes with sour cream, cheese, black beans, salsa, chives, or vegan sour cream and mayo. For a sweeter option, go for brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, maple syrup, pecans, or mini marshmallows. Avocado slices, granola, cashew cream, and fresh herbs are also excellent additions.

How to store and reheat air-fried sweet potatoes

Storing and reheating air-fried sweet potatoes is simple and ensures you can enjoy this delicious and nutritious food whenever you want without losing its flavour or texture.

Storing Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes

Air-fried sweet potatoes can be kept in the fridge for up to four days if stored correctly. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag and seal them shut. You can also wrap them in foil and store them in the fridge. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them in freezer bags for up to three months.

Reheating Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes

There are several ways to reheat sweet potatoes, including using an air fryer, an oven, a stovetop/hob, a microwave, or a BBQ. Reheating them in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy them without losing their flavour or texture. It is also faster than using an oven or microwave.

Reheating in an Air Fryer

Place the cooked sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Reheat at 180°C (350°F) for around 4-5 minutes, or until they are hot throughout. You may need to add an extra minute or two if your potatoes are particularly large.

Reheating in an Oven

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan (200°C/400°F without fan) and place the whole baked sweet potato on a metal baking sheet, uncovered. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the potato is hot and the skin is crisp.

Reheating in a Microwave

Cut the baked sweet potato in half and place it in a microwave-safe bowl or dish. Cover the dish and microwave on full power for around 2 minutes, or until the potato is hot throughout.

Reheating on a Stovetop/Hob

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet/frying pan. Cut the baked potato in half and place it cut-side down in the pan. Place a lid on the pan and cook for around 10 minutes, or until the potato is hot throughout. Flip the potato and fry for another 2 minutes to crisp up the skin.

Reheating on a BBQ

If you're already using your BBQ, this can be a good way to reheat your sweet potatoes. Wrap the baked potato tightly in aluminium foil and place it on the BBQ for 10-15 minutes, turning it a few times, until it is hot throughout.

How to get the best skin on air-fried sweet potatoes

Air-frying sweet potatoes is a great way to get fluffy, soft, and creamy results with a crisp skin—and it's quicker than using an oven. Here are some tips to get the best skin on your air-fried sweet potatoes:

• Choose the right type of sweet potato. Look for moist sweet potatoes, which are red or orange on the outside. These contain an enzyme that breaks down starches into sugars, resulting in a supremely sweet, caramelized flavour.
• Prick the potatoes with a fork or knife. This allows steam to escape, preventing the potatoes from bursting in the air fryer.
• Rub the skin with olive oil, avocado oil, or butter. This will help to crisp up the skin and make it tastier.
• Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, or other spices of your choice.
• If you want an even crispier skin, open the air fryer halfway through cooking and brush the skin with oil again.
• Ensure you don't overcrowd the air fryer. Leave space between the potatoes so that air can circulate.
• Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
• Cook the potatoes for 18-20 minutes for small potatoes, or 35-45 minutes for medium to large potatoes.
• For an extra crispy skin, let the potatoes cool for a few minutes after cooking before slicing and serving.

By following these steps, you can enjoy sweet potatoes with a fluffy interior and a delicious, crispy skin—all cooked to perfection in your air fryer!

How to choose the right sweet potatoes for air frying

When choosing sweet potatoes to bake in an air fryer, it is important to select those with firm, smooth, and even skin, free from wrinkles, dark patches, cracks, bruises, or soft spots. The ideal sweet potato will have a moist texture and an orange or red exterior, as these varieties tend to be sweeter and have a more caramelized flavor when cooked. Look for potatoes of similar size and shape to ensure even cooking, and avoid those with a starchy texture, as they may not yield the desired level of sweetness.

When shopping for sweet potatoes, opt for varieties such as orange garnet potatoes, Japanese sweet potatoes, or Beauregard, which are known to work well in air fryers. By choosing the right type of sweet potato and inspecting the skin and texture, you can ensure that your air-fried sweet potatoes turn out fluffy, tender, and perfectly cooked every time.

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