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

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook sweet potatoes, with a variety of recipes available online. Compared to baking in an oven, air fryers can produce a similar quality of crispy skin and fluffy insides in a shorter time, without the need for pre-heating. They can be used to make sweet potato fries, roasted sweet potatoes, or baked sweet potatoes, with a range of seasonings and toppings to suit different tastes.

Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Sweet Potato Recipes

How to get the perfect crispy skin

To achieve the perfect crispy skin on your sweet potatoes, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it is important to cut your sweet potatoes into similar-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking, so you don't end up with some pieces overcooked and others undercooked. For sweet potato fries, cut them into thin slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. The thinner the slice, the crispier it will be.

Next, you'll want to season your sweet potatoes. Toss them with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice, and add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or cumin. You can also get creative with your seasonings and try a harissa spice blend or curry powder. Make sure each piece is well-coated.

Now, it's time to arrange the sweet potatoes in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap or overcrowd the basket. This is crucial, as overcrowding can create a steaming effect instead of the desired crisping effect. Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, and then air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For crispier potatoes, add a couple of extra minutes.

Finally, serve your sweet potatoes immediately. They will soften as they cool, so it's best to enjoy them right away while the skin is still nice and crispy. You can pair them with butter, coconut oil, or your favourite toppings and seasonings. Enjoy!

The best seasoning for sweet potatoes

There are many ways to season sweet potatoes, and the best option for you will depend on your personal preferences. Here are some seasoning suggestions to get you started:

Harissa Spice Blend

This blend includes sweet paprika, garlic, caraway, and hot chilli powder. You can add olive oil or avocado oil to the mix, or use an oil spray.

Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt and Pepper

A simple but tasty option, just toss the sweet potatoes with a teaspoon of olive oil and add the seasonings.

Cinnamon

Sprinkle some cinnamon on your air-fried sweet potatoes, especially if you plan to add them to oatmeal.

Cumin, Coriander, and Curry Powder

These spices will add an aromatic and savoury kick to your sweet potatoes.

Cayenne

Add a dash of cayenne to your sweet potatoes for an extra zing.

Chilli Powder

Sprinkle some chilli powder on your sweet potatoes for a spicy kick.

Berbere Spice

This spice blend will add a unique and complex flavour to your sweet potatoes.

When preparing your sweet potatoes in the air fryer, remember to cut them into similar-sized cubes or wedges to ensure even cooking. You can also poke holes in them with a fork to allow steam to escape. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Enjoy experimenting with different seasonings to find your favourite combinations!

How to cut sweet potatoes for the air fryer

To cut sweet potatoes for the air fryer, start by washing them. You can choose to peel the sweet potatoes or not, depending on your preference. Peeled sweet potatoes will have a crispier texture, but the skin contains many nutrients.

Next, cut the sweet potatoes into your desired shape. For cubes, slice the sweet potato into 1/2-inch lengthwise slices. If your sweet potatoes are very long, halve them first, then place the cut side on the chopping board and slice into long 1/2-inch sticks. Finally, cut the sticks into 1/2-inch cubes. For fries, cut the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch wide sticks. If you are making wedges, simply cut the sweet potatoes into 2-inch chunks.

Try to keep the sweet potato pieces a similar size so that they cook at the same rate. If you are making cubes or fries, place the sweet potato sticks flat on the cutting board and cut them into cubes.

How long to cook sweet potatoes for

The cooking time for sweet potatoes in an air fryer depends on the size of the potato and the number of potatoes being cooked. It is important to cut the potatoes into even-sized cubes to ensure they cook at the same time. For a medium-sized potato, the cooking time is typically 40 to 55 minutes. Smaller potatoes may take around 35 minutes, while larger potatoes could take 50 minutes or more.

When cooking multiple potatoes, it is best to arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and avoid overcrowding. If cooking a large batch, it is recommended to cook the potatoes in batches, as this will impact the cooking time. The second batch may take less time, as the air fryer will already be hot.

For sweet potato cubes, the cooking time is significantly reduced. Depending on the desired texture, the potatoes should be cooked for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If a crunchier texture is preferred, a couple of extra minutes can be added.

How to reheat sweet potatoes in the air fryer

Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get them tasting as good as fresh. Here is a simple method to reheat your sweet potatoes:

Firstly, cut the sweet potatoes into cubes of roughly equal size. This ensures that they heat up evenly and at the same rate. Next, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It is important not to overcrowd the basket, as this can create a steaming effect, so cook in batches if necessary. If you are using a smaller air fryer, you may need to do this anyway.

Then, simply reheat the sweet potatoes. Many air fryers have a reheat button, which is usually set to around 300 F for 15 minutes. However, for sweet potatoes, 7 to 8 minutes should be enough to reheat them perfectly. If you do not have a reheat button, just set your air fryer to a similar temperature.

Finally, serve your sweet potatoes. They will be just as tasty as the first time and ready to eat in a fraction of the time it takes to cook them from scratch!

Frequently asked questions