Air Fryer Sweet Potato: Raw To Cooked Perfection

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook sweet potatoes, with many recipes available online. They are a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods and can cook sweet potatoes with a soft, fluffy, or tender interior and a crispy exterior. The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes is enhanced by roasting them in an air fryer, and they can be served as a side dish or added to wraps, salads, tacos, and rice bowls. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the sweet potatoes and the desired level of crispness, but it typically ranges from 10 to 45 minutes at temperatures between 370°F and 400°F.

Air fryer sweet potatoes are quicker than baking them in the oven

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook sweet potatoes, and they offer a faster cooking time than baking them in the oven. The air fryer's compact size means it heats up faster than an oven, and there is no need to preheat it, so you save time and energy.

Cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a simple process. First, wash the sweet potatoes and, if desired, poke holes in them with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking. You can also peel and cube the sweet potatoes to speed up cooking and ensure even cooking. Then, toss the sweet potatoes in a large bowl with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice, and season them with salt and pepper, and any other spices you like. You can even add a sweet touch with maple syrup.

Next, place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Set the air fryer temperature to between 370°F and 400°F, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes for smaller cubes or 20 to 30 minutes for larger ones. Shake the basket halfway through cooking and add a couple of extra minutes if you prefer them crunchier. A whole medium-sized sweet potato will take around 40 to 55 minutes to cook.

Air fryer sweet potatoes are a quick and healthy snack or side dish that can be served in a variety of ways. They have a soft, fluffy, or tender interior and a crispy, caramelized exterior. You can enjoy them with just butter or coconut oil, or sprinkle on chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice. They can also be stuffed with different fillings, such as chicken, vegetarian options, or Italian-inspired ingredients.

They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside

Yes, you can cook raw sweet potatoes in an air fryer and achieve a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes is enhanced, and they are packed with nutrients.

To cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer, first, prep the sweet potatoes by washing them and cutting them into similar-sized cubes or wedges. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking. You can peel the sweet potatoes, but it is not necessary.

Next, toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice, and season them. You can use a variety of seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, or cinnamon. Place the seasoned sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). The preheating step is optional, as some people find no difference in the final result with or without preheating. However, if your air fryer has a preheat option, you can use it.

Cooking time will depend on the size of your sweet potatoes and your desired level of crispness. For smaller pieces, cook for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For larger sweet potatoes, the cooking time can range from 35 to 55 minutes. Check on them regularly and shake the basket or turn the potatoes to ensure even cooking and browning.

Your sweet potatoes are ready when they are golden, crispy, and can be easily pierced with a fork. Serve them immediately, as they will soften as they cool. Enjoy your crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside air-fried sweet potatoes!

You can cut them into cubes, wedges, or leave them whole

Air fryers are a great way to cook sweet potatoes, and you can cut them into cubes, wedges, or leave them whole. If you want to cut your sweet potatoes into cubes, it's important to make sure they are all roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. You can toss them with olive oil, avocado oil, or maple syrup, and season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper to taste. Place the seasoned cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

If you prefer wedges, simply slice your sweet potatoes lengthwise and ensure that the wedges are of similar thickness. You can leave the peels on or take them off, whichever you prefer. Place the wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

You can also leave your sweet potatoes whole. Poke some holes in the skin with a fork to allow steam to escape, then place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 370°F for 35–45 minutes, or until soft.

No matter which way you choose to cut your sweet potatoes, they will come out perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside!

You don't need to boil them before roasting

You don't need to boil sweet potatoes before roasting them in an air fryer. In fact, cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a simple, quick, and convenient way to prepare them. It is much faster than using an oven, and you don't need to preheat the air fryer, so you can get cooking straight away.

To cook raw sweet potatoes in an air fryer, first, wash them well and poke holes in them with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking. You can peel the sweet potatoes if you like, but it's not necessary. Then, cut the sweet potatoes into equal-sized cubes or wedges—this ensures they cook evenly. For wedges, cut them to a similar thickness; for cubes, cut them into 1/2-inch pieces. If you want extra crispy potatoes, cut them and submerge them in water for 30 minutes before cooking, then dry them well.

Next, toss the sweet potatoes in a large bowl with your chosen seasonings and a tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil. You can use salt and pepper, or spices like harissa, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, or turmeric. For a sweet and spicy flavour, try olive oil, maple syrup, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Now you're ready to cook the sweet potatoes in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them so they cook evenly. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, and cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you're cooking wedges, you may need to turn them twice during cooking to ensure they brown evenly. The potatoes are ready when they're soft, golden, and crispy.

You can season them with anything from harissa to cinnamon

You can season raw sweet potatoes with anything from harissa to cinnamon before cooking them in an air fryer. The harissa spice blend, which includes sweet paprika, garlic, caraway, and hot chili powder, is a popular choice for those who enjoy a kick of heat with their sweet potatoes. Alternatively, a blend of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, onion powder, and garlic powder will add a unique twist of flavors to your dish.

For a simpler option, you can sprinkle on some chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice. You can also make curry roasted sweet potatoes by using curry powder and adding spices like turmeric, cumin, and garam masala. If you're feeling creative, try making a sweet version by adding brown sugar or maple syrup.

No matter which seasoning you choose, the key to getting an even coating is to toss the sweet potatoes in a bowl with the oil and seasonings before placing them in the air fryer. This ensures that every bite is packed with flavor.

Frequently asked questions