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

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook sweet potatoes. They're quicker than an oven, and the circulating hot air gives a crispy exterior and a fluffy, creamy interior. You can cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer in a variety of ways, including as fries, cubes, or even whole. The cooking time will depend on the size and type of sweet potato, but generally, it takes between 10 and 20 minutes in the air fryer.

How long does it take to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer?

The cooking time for sweet potatoes in an air fryer depends on how they are cut. Here is a general guide:

Whole Sweet Potatoes

Whole sweet potatoes can take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes to cook in an air fryer. It is important to poke holes in the potatoes with a fork before cooking to prevent them from bursting. Some people also recommend microwaving the potatoes for a few minutes before finishing them off in the air fryer to speed up the cooking process.

Diced Sweet Potatoes

Diced sweet potatoes will take significantly less time to cook than whole potatoes. They should be cooked for around 7 to 12 minutes in the air fryer.

Cubed Sweet Potatoes

Cubed sweet potatoes will take a little longer than diced potatoes, but still less time than whole potatoes. They should be cooked for 10 to 15 minutes.

Sweet Potato Fries

For sweet potato fries, it is recommended to parboil the potatoes before air frying to ensure a crispy texture. The air frying process should take around 10 to 15 minutes.

Other Tips

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Shake the air fryer basket a few times during the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Preheating the air fryer is not necessary, but it may add a couple of minutes to the cooking time if you choose not to preheat.
• Sweet potatoes can be seasoned in a variety of ways, such as with olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, paprika, or garlic powder.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for air frying

Preparing sweet potatoes for air frying is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Selecting and Storing Sweet Potatoes:

• Choose sweet potatoes with firm skin and minimal wrinkles, bruises, cracks, or soft spots.
• Store the sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place for up to three to five weeks before use.

Cutting and Seasoning Sweet Potatoes:

• Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly. You can peel them, especially if you prefer peeled potatoes or are not using organic potatoes.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into your desired shape and size. For even cooking, it is recommended to cut them into similar-sized pieces. Common cuts include cubes, fries, or wedges.
• Transfer the cut sweet potatoes to a bowl and add your choice of oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking oil) and seasonings. Toss well to ensure an even coating. Some popular seasoning options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, or a spice blend like harissa.

Air Frying Sweet Potatoes:

• Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. The ideal temperature for air frying sweet potatoes is around 400°F (200°C).
• Arrange the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, and cook in batches if necessary.
• Air fry the sweet potatoes for 10 to 12 minutes for cubes or wedges, shaking the basket halfway through. For fries, cook in 5-minute intervals and shake or flip the potatoes after each interval.
• Whole sweet potatoes will take longer to cook, typically around 20 to 50 minutes.
• The sweet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender and have a crispy exterior.

Serving and Storing Tips:

• Serve the air-fried sweet potatoes immediately. They can be enjoyed as a snack or added to various dishes like salads, wraps, tacos, rice bowls, or burrito bowls.
• Top with your favourite toppings, such as butter, cinnamon, honey, chili powder, cumin, or cheese.
• Leftover air-fried sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

What temperature to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer. The ideal temperature to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer is 200C/400F. However, cooking times may vary depending on the size of the sweet potatoes and whether they are diced, cubed, or whole.

• Diced sweet potatoes – 7 to 12 minutes
• Cubed sweet potatoes – 12 to 15 minutes
• Whole sweet potatoes – 20 to 50 minutes

It is important to note that the cooking time may also depend on the specific model of your air fryer, so it is always good to keep an eye on your sweet potatoes while they are cooking. Additionally, make sure to poke holes in the sweet potatoes before air frying to prevent them from bursting.

For best results, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the sweet potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and give them a shake halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

You can also season your sweet potatoes with various spices such as garlic powder, salt, pepper, cinnamon, or paprika to enhance their flavour.

What to serve with sweet potato fries?

Sweet potato fries are a delicious and healthier alternative to regular fries. They are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and can be paired with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on what to serve with sweet potato fries:

• Oven-Baked Hamburger: Sweet potato fries are a perfect substitute for regular french fries and go well with beef patties, fresh vegetables, and condiments. You can add toppings like melted cheese, grilled onions, avocado, or bacon.
• Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich: The natural sweetness of sweet potato fries provides a delightful contrast to the savoury cheesesteak.
• Fried Shrimp: The soft and sweet taste of sweet potato fries balances the crunchy shrimp. Serve them with a creamy dip like aioli or tartar sauce.
• Fish and Chips: Choose a thick, white fish like cod or haddock, and deep-fry until golden. Serve with homemade sweet potato chips for a crispy and tasty treat.
• Steak: Season and grill your favourite cut of steak and serve with sweet potato fries for a delicious twist on a classic dish. Don't forget the dipping sauces!
• Sloppy Joes: Prepare a simple mixture of ground beef, tomato sauce, and seasonings, and pile it onto toasted hamburger buns. Sweet potato fries are a perfect side dish for this hearty sandwich.
• Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks: The slightly sweeter flavour of sweet potato fries balances out the smoky, savoury flavours of barbecue chicken. Bake your sweet potato fries with parmesan cheese for an extra punch of flavour.
• Chili Cheese Fries: This is a twist on the classic chilli cheese fries that can be served as an appetizer or side dish. Add a creamy cheese sauce or stick to chilli for a spicy kick.
• Chili Cheese Dogs: A classic combination of gooey, cheesy goodness with a crunch. Serve with sweet potato fries to balance out the spice of the chilli.
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Take your classic grilled cheese sandwich to the next level by adding cooked bacon, tomatoes, and your choice of cheese. Sweet potato fries on the side make this a filling and satisfying meal.
• Tacos: Sweet potato fries may not seem like the obvious choice, but they are a great side dish, especially when feeding kids.
• Loaded Sweet Potato Fries: Take your sweet potato fries to the next level by adding toppings like spicy queso, sour cream, chilli, bacon, guacamole, jalapeños, shredded cheese, or onion. For a vegan option, try vegan cheese, vegan sour cream, scallions, or olives.
• Crispy Chicken Wings: Air fryer chicken wings are a perfect game-day snack, and sweet potato fries are a great side. Try sweet chili or garlic parmesan wings and use the extra sauce for dipping your fries.
• Chicken Club Sandwich: A classic chicken club sandwich with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and baked chicken is a great pairing with sweet potato fries.

So, the next time you're wondering what to serve with sweet potato fries, try out one of these tasty ideas!

How to store leftover air-fried sweet potatoes?

Air-fried sweet potatoes are a tasty treat, but what's the best way to store any leftovers? Well, it depends on how long you plan to keep them. If you're going to eat them within a couple of hours, you can leave them out at room temperature. But don't leave cooked sweet potatoes out for longer than that, as bacteria can start to grow.

If you want to keep your leftover air-fried sweet potatoes for a few days, it's best to store them in the fridge. Place them in a shallow airtight container or a zip-top bag, and they should stay fresh for up to four or five days.

If you want to keep your leftover sweet potatoes for even longer, you could try freezing them. However, this requires a bit more preparation. First, you need to cook the sweet potatoes—you can boil or bake them. Then, you can freeze them whole, sliced, or mashed. If freezing them whole, pierce the skin and bake the potatoes before wrapping them in foil and placing them in a zip-top bag in the freezer. For sliced or mashed potatoes, you'll need to let them cool completely before freezing, and it's a good idea to add a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Frozen sweet potatoes will last for about a year.

Frequently asked questions