Air-Fryer Sweet Potato: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer! They can be cooked as fries, wedges, or baked. The cooking time varies depending on the thickness and size of the sweet potato, but they usually take around 30-45 minutes to cook. Air-fried sweet potatoes are a great option as they are quicker and more energy-efficient than using an oven, and they also have a crispier skin and a fluffy centre.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for the air fryer

Preparing sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook this nutritious vegetable. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare sweet potatoes for the air fryer:

Selecting and Storing Sweet Potatoes:

• Look for firm sweet potatoes with unwrinkled, unbruised skins.
• Choose sweet potatoes of similar size and shape to ensure even cooking. Longer, skinnier sweet potatoes are recommended over rounder, bulbous ones.
• Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place for up to three to five weeks.

Preparing Sweet Potatoes for Air Frying:

• Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt.
• Dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly, especially if you want crispy skin.
• Poke holes in the sweet potatoes using a fork or a small knife. This allows steam to escape and prevents them from exploding during cooking.
• If desired, rub the sweet potatoes with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. This will make the skin crispy. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, or cinnamon at this stage.

Cooking Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F (190-200°C). Some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, but it may reduce cooking time slightly.
• Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Cook the sweet potatoes for 35-50 minutes, or until they are tender. For smaller sweet potato cubes or fries, the cooking time may be reduced to 10-20 minutes.
• Shake or flip the sweet potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Once cooked, remove the sweet potatoes from the air fryer and serve with your favourite toppings or seasonings.

Tips:

• You can peel the sweet potatoes before cooking if you prefer, but it is not necessary. The skin provides additional nutrients and texture.
• If you are short on time, you can microwave the sweet potatoes for a few minutes before finishing them in the air fryer. This will reduce the overall cooking time.

How to cook sweet potatoes in the air fryer

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a great, healthy, and easy side dish. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Here is a simple recipe for cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
• 2 teaspoons olive oil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (optional)

Method:

• Rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes, leaving them a little damp.
• Poke 4-8 holes in each potato with a fork.
• Sprinkle with salt and drizzle with olive oil.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket.
• Cook at 390°F for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fork-tender.

Tips:

• Do not wrap the sweet potatoes in foil, as this will make the skin soggy.
• Poke holes in the potatoes to allow steam to escape and prevent them from bursting.
• For crispier skin, add oil to the skin before baking.
• You can serve the sweet potatoes with various toppings, such as butter, cinnamon, honey, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.

Storing and Reheating:

• Store leftover sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or use a microwave on a medium setting for 2-3 minutes.

Variations:

• You can also cut the sweet potatoes into cubes, wedges, or fries before air frying for a shorter cooking time.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the sweet potatoes in the oven at 425°F for 45-50 minutes.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried sweet potatoes!

How to serve air-fried sweet potatoes

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy treat, and there are many ways to serve them. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Simple Servings

For a simple yet tasty treat, serve your air-fried sweet potatoes with a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil. You can also sprinkle on some salt and pepper to taste. If you're dairy-free, you can use coconut oil instead of butter.

Spices and Seasonings

For a calorie-free option, sprinkle on some chilli powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice. You can also try a combination of cinnamon, honey, and butter for a holiday-themed treat.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

If you're feeling creative, try stuffing your sweet potatoes with different fillings. Some tasty options include slow cooker chicken enchilada, loaded vegetarian, or Italian stuffed sweet potatoes. You can also add black beans, quinoa, and bell peppers for a Mexican-themed dish.

Side Dish

Air-fried sweet potatoes make a great side dish for a variety of meals. Try serving them with a steak, or as a side to this air fryer chicken breast, maple turmeric chicken, air fryer salmon, or crispy baked tofu. They also go well with salads or tacos.

Dessert

Believe it or not, sweet potatoes can even be a delicious dessert! Try adding sweet toppings like cinnamon, coconut butter, chocolate, candied pecans, or a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. You can also make a sweet potato casserole by topping the potato with mini marshmallows and roasting them in the air fryer for a few minutes.

Other Options

There are endless ways to serve air-fried sweet potatoes. You can scoop out the flesh and add it to a bowl, make them into game-day snacks, or even chilli-stuffed potatoes. Get creative and enjoy your healthy, tasty treat!

Toppings and stuffings for air-fried sweet potatoes

There are endless options for serving air-fried sweet potatoes. Here are some ideas for toppings and stuffings to get you started:

Toppings

• Butter or coconut oil
• Cinnamon
• Chives
• Sour cream
• Greek yoghurt
• Bacon
• Green onions
• Cheddar cheese
• Chili
• Cumin
• Pumpkin spice

Stuffings

• Chicken enchilada
• Vegetarian chilli
• Black beans, bell pepper, salsa, and mushrooms
• Marshmallows
• Italian fillings

How to store leftover sweet potatoes

Storing leftover sweet potatoes is simple and can be done in a few different ways. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Storing Uncooked Sweet Potatoes:

• Keep uncooked sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. The U.S. Sweet Potato Council recommends avoiding refrigeration if you plan to consume them within a month, as it can affect their taste and texture.
• Choose a storage spot like your pantry or a dark corner of your kitchen countertop.
• Place the potatoes in a bowl or basket to keep them contained.
• Ensure the potatoes are firm and free of decay when purchasing them.

Storing Cooked Sweet Potatoes:

• Once cooked, store sweet potatoes in a shallow airtight container or a zip-top bag in the fridge. They will remain fresh for about five days.
• Do not leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacteria growth.
• To reheat, use a microwave or an oven until they are heated through. For mashed sweet potatoes, consider reheating on the stovetop to avoid a rubbery texture.

Freezing Sweet Potatoes:

• You can freeze cooked sweet potatoes in three ways: whole, sliced, or mashed. They will last in the freezer for about a year.
• For whole sweet potatoes, scrub them, pierce them, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for an hour. Let them cool, wrap them in foil, and place them in labelled zip-top freezer bags.
• To freeze sliced sweet potatoes, scrub, boil until tender, drain, cool, peel, and slice them. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze overnight, and then transfer to labelled freezer bags.
• For mashed sweet potatoes, boil or bake peeled and cubed sweet potatoes. Mash them without adding dairy, and mix in a bit of lemon juice to preserve colour. Let it cool, transfer to labelled freezer bags, and freeze.

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