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

Air fryers are a great way to cook sweet potatoes, and they can be done in as little as 10 minutes. The result is a delicious snack with a soft centre and crispy edges. You can also add them to wraps, salads, rice bowls and more.

The first step is to wash and peel the sweet potatoes, before cutting them into cubes. You can also cut them into wedges or fries, but the cooking time will vary depending on the thickness and size. It's important to ensure that the cubes are similar in size so that they cook evenly.

Next, toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil or avocado oil, and season with salt and pepper, or a spice blend of your choice. Some popular spice blends include harissa, berbere, cumin, coriander, curry powder, cinnamon, and paprika.

After seasoning, place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the sweet potatoes in batches.

Air fry the sweet potatoes at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For a crispier texture, add a couple of extra minutes.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy, tender sweet potatoes that can be enjoyed as a snack or added to your favourite dishes.

How to get the right texture

Achieving the right texture for your sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a delicate balance. The ideal texture is crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Here are some tips to get that perfect texture:

Selecting the Right Sweet Potatoes

Choose sweet potatoes with firm skin and minimal wrinkles. Avoid potatoes with soft spots, wrinkles, cracks, or discolouration. Look for orange-skinned sweet potatoes, as they tend to be moist, sweet, and creamy.

Cutting the Sweet Potatoes

Cutting the sweet potatoes into uniform sizes is crucial to ensure even cooking. You can cut them into cubes, wedges, fries, or slices. For cubes and wedges, aim for a size of around 1/2 inch. If cutting into wedges, try to cut them into similar thicknesses to ensure even cooking.

Seasoning and Coating

Coat the sweet potatoes with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. This helps the seasonings stick, prevents drying out, and promotes browning. For seasonings, you can use a variety of options, such as garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, or cinnamon. You can also experiment with different spice blends like harissa or curry powder.

Air Frying Tips

Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and type of sweet potatoes and your air fryer model. For whole sweet potatoes, the cooking time can range from 20 to 50 minutes. For diced or cubed sweet potatoes, the cooking time is typically shorter, around 7 to 15 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking on all sides.

How to cut sweet potatoes for the air fryer

There are a few different ways to cut sweet potatoes for the air fryer, depending on the desired outcome. Here are some options:

• Wedges: Cut the sweet potatoes lengthwise into wedges of similar size. This method is quick to prepare and results in a crispy outside and fluffy inside.
• Cubes: Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and is perfect for making crispy roasted sweet potatoes.
• Rounds: Cut each potato into 1/2 to 1-inch thick rounds, then cut each round into 1/2-inch cubes. This method is ideal for air-frying at a higher temperature for a shorter time.
• Fries: Cut the sweet potatoes into thin fries or wedges for a classic side dish. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fries.

When cutting sweet potatoes for the air fryer, it is important to ensure that all the pieces are of similar size. This helps them cook at the same rate. A sharp chef's knife is recommended as sweet potatoes can be firm and hard to cut.

How long to cook sweet potatoes in the air fryer

The cooking time for sweet potatoes in an air fryer varies depending on the size of the potato and whether they are whole, cubed, or diced.

For whole sweet potatoes, cooking time can range from 20 to 50 minutes. For medium to large potatoes, you will need to increase the cooking time.

For cubed sweet potatoes, the cooking time is around 12 to 15 minutes.

Diced sweet potatoes will take around 7 to 12 minutes.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the air fryer model and the size of the sweet potatoes. As a general rule, smaller pieces will cook faster than larger ones.

When cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork, and toss them in oil, salt, and pepper before placing them in the air fryer basket. Cook until they are fork-tender, shaking the basket occasionally for even cooking.

How to store and reheat sweet potatoes

Storing and reheating sweet potatoes is a simple process.

Storing Sweet Potatoes

Firstly, when storing sweet potatoes, it is important to ensure they are kept in a cool, dry place. They can be stored for three to five weeks in these conditions.

If you have leftover baked sweet potatoes, it is best to store them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to three days when stored this way.

Reheating Sweet Potatoes

Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is an effective method to retain their flavour and texture. The circulating hot air of the air fryer will give the potatoes a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.

To reheat sweet potatoes in an air fryer, rub oil on the skin of the potatoes and add your desired seasonings. Wrap the potatoes in aluminium foil and place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer for 10-12 minutes. Halfway through, flip the potatoes with tongs and continue cooking.

You can also reheat sweet potatoes in a convection oven. Wrap the potatoes in foil and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the potatoes in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

For a toaster oven, set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer for 10 minutes for one potato. For multiple potatoes, increase the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer to 15 minutes.

Another option is to use a microwave. Cut the potatoes in half and place them in the microwave for 5-6 minutes, or until heated thoroughly.

What to serve with sweet potatoes

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 sweet potatoes:

Meat

As a versatile ingredient, sweet potatoes can be served with a variety of meats, including beef, pork, chicken, and lamb. For example, you could serve them as a side with a steak, or with chicken or pork chops. They also pair well with ground beef, making them a great addition to a burger or meatloaf.

Fish

Sweet potatoes are a great side for fish, especially baked, sauteed, or grilled fish. They go particularly well with salmon, and you could even try making BBQ salmon in the air fryer to accompany your sweet potatoes.

Eggs

Sweet potatoes are a great vegetarian option, and they go well with eggs. Try a fried or poached egg on top of a baked sweet potato, or serve scrambled eggs with crispy air-fried sweet potato wedges.

Beans, Grains, and Lentils

Sweet potatoes and beans are a great combination in soups, dips, or salads. They can also be served with grains like rice or oats—for example, in a rice bowl or with oatmeal.

Vegetables

Sweet potatoes can be served with just about any vegetable. Try them with broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers. They're also great in a salad.

Other Ideas

Sweet potatoes are a perfect side for soup, and they can also be turned into a sweet treat, such as a pie. They're a great addition to a breakfast casserole, and you can even make sweet potato chips or fries.

Frequently asked questions