Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins and fiber, and they can be made even more delicious by cooking them in an air fryer. The air fryer's ability to crisp the outsides of the potatoes while keeping the insides soft and tender has made it a popular choice for cooking sweet potatoes. With just a few simple ingredients and spices, you can make perfectly crispy and fluffy sweet potatoes in less time than it would take in an oven.

How to make sweet potatoes in the air fryer

Ingredients

• 2-3 medium sweet potatoes (about 6 ounces each)
• 1-3 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, etc.)

Method

• Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. You can peel them if you prefer, but it's not necessary.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into your desired shape: cubes, wedges, or fries. Try to keep the pieces a similar size so they cook evenly.
• Place the sweet potato pieces in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the top and toss until they are evenly coated in oil and seasoning.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, but it may add a couple of minutes to the cooking time if you don't.
• Place the seasoned sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece to avoid overcrowding. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook at 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes for cubes or fries, or 15-20 minutes for wedges, shaking the basket or flipping the potatoes every 5-7 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• The sweet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender and golden brown. If they are not soft enough but are already browned, turn down the temperature to 320°F and continue air frying until soft.
• Sprinkle with a little extra salt and pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips

• Sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days before cooking.
• For crispier potatoes, cut them into your desired shape and submerge in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Dry them well before adding oil and seasoning.
• If you want to reheat any leftovers, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up.

Serving suggestions

Sweet potatoes cooked in the air fryer make a great side dish and can be served with a variety of proteins and sauces. Try them with:

• Dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, ketchup, tahini sauce, or aioli
• Air fryer proteins like salmon, chicken legs, or steak bites
• Other proteins such as skillet chicken thighs, ribeye steak, or pan-fried tilapia
• Vegetables like air fryer broccoli or Brussels sprouts

Tips for the perfect air-fried sweet potatoes

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a quick, easy, and tasty way to cook this nutritious vegetable. Here are some tips to ensure you get the perfect air-fried sweet potatoes every time.

Selecting and Preparing Sweet Potatoes:

• Choose sweet potatoes that don't have soft spots, wrinkles, or cracks.
• Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place for up to five weeks before use.
• Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. You can skip peeling if using organic sweet potatoes.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into your desired shape: cubes, wedges, or fries. Try to keep the pieces evenly sized to ensure even cooking.

Seasoning:

• A simple seasoning of olive oil (or avocado oil), salt, and pepper will do the trick. You can also add garlic powder and your choice of spices like paprika, cayenne, or cinnamon for a sweet and spicy kick.
• For extra flavor, toss the sweet potatoes in a mixture of oil and seasonings before air frying.

Air Frying:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F.
• Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if needed.
• For wedges, air fry at 390°F for 15-20 minutes, turning the pieces every 5-7 minutes for even browning.
• For cubes or fries, air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes.
• For a crispier texture, submerge the cut sweet potatoes in water for 30 minutes before cooking, and ensure they are thoroughly dried before placing them in the air fryer.
• Serve immediately.

Storing and Reheating:

• Air-fried sweet potatoes are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer at 350-400°F for 5-7 minutes to crisp them up.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked air-fried sweet potatoes!

How long does it take to air fry sweet potatoes?

Air-frying sweet potatoes is a quick and easy way to cook them, and they can be served as a snack or side dish. The time it takes to air fry sweet potatoes depends on the type of air fryer you have, the size of the sweet potato pieces, and the desired level of doneness.

For example, if you are cooking sweet potato fries, it is recommended to cook them in 5-minute intervals, shaking the basket or flipping the fries with silicone tongs after each interval, until they are slightly blistered and browned on the edges, which should take around 15-20 minutes total. On the other hand, if you are cooking sweet potato cubes, it is recommended to air fry them at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you prefer your sweet potato cubes to be more crunchy, you can add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.

If you are cooking a whole sweet potato, it will take longer to cook than smaller pieces. Sweet potatoes cooked at 370°F in an air fryer will take around 35-45 minutes to become soft, which is less time than it would take in the oven.

How to serve air-fried sweet potatoes

There are many ways to serve air-fried sweet potatoes. Here are some ideas:

As a Side Dish

Air-fried sweet potatoes can be served as a side dish with your choice of protein and vegetables. They can be a great addition to any meal and provide a good source of fibre and vitamins.

With Toppings

You can top your air-fried sweet potatoes with butter or coconut oil. For a calorie-free option, you can sprinkle on some chilli powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

You can also stuff sweet potatoes with various fillings. Some ideas include slow cooker chicken enchilada, loaded vegetarian, or Italian stuffed sweet potatoes.

As a Snack

Air-fried sweet potatoes can be enjoyed as a healthy snack on their own or with dips such as cilantro chutney, sweet tamarind chutney, or mayonnaise ketchup.

In Salads, Wraps, or Bowls

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a great addition to salads, wraps, rice bowls, or burrito bowls. They provide a nice contrast of textures and flavours.

With Other Ingredients

You can also combine air-fried sweet potatoes with chickpeas to make tacos or add them to a bowl with quinoa and vegetables. They can be mashed and mixed with oats and spices to make sweet potato tikkis.

What to serve with air-fried sweet potatoes

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of mains. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air-fried sweet potatoes:

• Dips: Serve with a side of ketchup, ranch, fry sauce, or your favourite dip.
• Burgers: Pair with smash burgers, bacon ranch turkey burgers, or cheeseburgers.
• Sandwiches: Try them with a fried chicken sandwich.
• Chicken: Serve with air fryer chicken nuggets, baked chicken wings, or BBQ chicken quesadillas.
• BBQ: Smokey BBQ bean sliders or BBQ chicken would be a great pairing with the sweet and spicy flavour of the fries.
• Salads: Add some to a salad for a contrasting texture.
• Tacos: Throw them into some tacos for a Mexican-inspired meal.
• Meat: Maple-glazed pork chops are a great option, as one source mentions serving these with air-fried sweet potato.

You could also try air-fried sweet potatoes with some of the following sides:

• Other Veggies: Air fryer roasted broccoli and cauliflower, air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer asparagus, or air fryer butternut squash.
• Potatoes: Air fryer roasted potatoes, air fryer fingerling potatoes, air fryer baked potatoes, or sweet and spicy air fryer butternut squash fries.

Frequently asked questions