Sweet Potato Air Fryer Times Explained

Air fryers are a great way to cook sweet potatoes, with many people saying they prefer them to other cooking methods. They are quicker than cooking them in the oven, and the results are just as good, if not better. Depending on the size of the potato and the air fryer, they can take anywhere from 10 to 50 minutes to cook.

How to cut sweet potatoes for air frying

The first step to making delicious air-fried sweet potatoes is to select the right potatoes. Look for sweet potatoes with firm skin and minimal wrinkles. You can choose from a variety of types, such as orange garnet, Japanese, Beauregard, or Red Garnet.

Once you have your sweet potatoes, here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut them for air frying:

• Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Peeling is optional, but some people prefer it, especially if you are not using organic potatoes.
• Cut the sweet potatoes into equal-sized pieces. You can cut them into cubes, fries, or wedges. For cubes, cut the potato into 1/2-inch to 1-inch pieces. For fries, cut them into thin strips. For wedges, cut them lengthwise into similar-sized wedges.
• Place the cut sweet potatoes in a bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can use olive oil or avocado oil, along with spices like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the potatoes until they are well coated with the seasoning mixture.
• Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Arrange the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded and cook in batches if needed.
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes for cubes, or 15 to 20 minutes for wedges. Shake the basket or turn the potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• For whole sweet potatoes, air fry for 20 to 50 minutes, depending on their size. Poke holes in the potatoes before air frying to prevent them from bursting.
• Once they are soft and golden brown, your air-fried sweet potatoes are ready to be served!

By following these steps and adjusting the cooking time based on your preferred cut, you'll have perfectly cooked and delicious air-fried sweet potatoes every time!

How long to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer

The cooking time for sweet potatoes in an air fryer depends on the size and type of cut. Here is a general guide:

Whole Sweet Potatoes

Whole sweet potatoes typically take around 20 to 50 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 200C/400F. It is important to poke holes in the potatoes before cooking to prevent them from bursting.

Diced Sweet Potatoes

Diced sweet potatoes will take less time, ranging from 7 to 12 minutes in the air fryer.

Cubed Sweet Potatoes

Similarly, cubed sweet potatoes will cook faster than whole potatoes, taking around 12 to 15 minutes.

Sweet Potato Wedges

For sweet potato wedges, a cooking time of 15 to 20 minutes is recommended. It is important to cut the wedges to a similar thickness to ensure even cooking.

Sweet Potato Cubes or Fries

Cubes or fries will take less time, typically around 10 to 14 minutes.

Reheating Sweet Potatoes

Leftover sweet potatoes can be reheated in the air fryer or microwave. For the best results, reheat in the air fryer at a lower temperature of around 320 degrees F to avoid overcooking.

Tips for Cooking Sweet Potatoes in an Air Fryer:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook the sweet potatoes in batches if needed.
• Preheating the air fryer is not necessary, but it may reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.
• For a crispy texture, cut the sweet potatoes and submerge them in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Dry them well before placing them in the air fryer.
• Shake or turn the sweet potatoes during cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.
• Season the sweet potatoes with salt, pepper, olive oil, and various spices like garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, or cumin to enhance the flavor.

Air-frying is a quick and convenient way to cook sweet potatoes, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender, fluffy interior. With the right techniques and timing, you can achieve perfectly cooked sweet potatoes every time.

Air fryer sweet potato wedges

Ingredients:

• 2 lb sweet potatoes (4-6 medium, unpeeled)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper (plus more to taste)

Method:

• Wash the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with a paper towel. It is important that they are dry so they can get crispy.
• Cut the sweet potatoes lengthwise into wedges of similar sizes.
• In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato wedges, olive oil, and seasonings. Toss to coat.
• Arrange the sweet potato wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them. (Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding; you may need to do this in 3 batches).
• Cook the sweet potatoes in the air fryer at 390°F for 15-20 minutes, turning the pieces to a new side every 5-7 minutes, until they are golden, crisp, and fork-tender. (If you're short on time, you can flip them just once or shake the basket halfway through).
• If desired, sprinkle the air-fried sweet potatoes with more salt and pepper to taste.

Tips:

For extra crispy sweet potato wedges, cut them and submerge in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Serving Suggestions:

• Air Fryer Proteins: Cook your main dish in the air fryer as well, such as air fryer salmon, chicken legs, or steak bites.
• Other Proteins: Cook proteins on the stovetop or in the oven, such as skillet chicken thighs, ribeye steak, or healthy chicken breast.
• Dipping Sauces: Dunk the wedges in ranch dressing, sugar-free ketchup, tahini sauce, or aioli.
• Veggies: Serve with air fryer broccoli or Brussels sprouts, or a quick salad like a kale or fall salad.
• Breakfast: Use the wedges as a base for fried or baked eggs, or serve them on the side with an omelette.

Storage:

• Store the air-fried sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Reheat the sweet potatoes in the air fryer to maintain crispness. A lower temperature of around 320°F is best to avoid further browning.
• Freeze: Arrange the wedges on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip lock bag and keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Air fryer sweet potato cubes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sweet potato
• 1 tablespoon oil (olive or avocado)
• 1/2 teaspoon harissa spice blend or smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Method:

• Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch cubes. Try to keep the cubes a similar size so they cook evenly.
• Place the cubes in a bowl and add the oil, harissa spice blend, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine and ensure the sweet potatoes are well coated.
• Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Arrange the sweet potato cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them after the 8-minute mark.
• Remove from the air fryer and enjoy as a snack or add to your favourite meals like rice bowls, tacos, wraps, or salads.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between the sweet potato cubes to ensure even cooking.
• You can season the sweet potatoes with a variety of spices like cumin, coriander, curry powder, paprika, or cinnamon.
• For an extra crispy texture, cut the sweet potatoes and submerge them in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Dry them well before adding the oil and seasonings.
• If you're cooking in batches, the second batch may cook quicker as the air fryer will already be hot.

Air fryer sweet potato toppings

Air fryer sweet potatoes are a great, quick and easy dish to make, and there are so many ways to serve them. The simplest way to eat them is with butter, or coconut oil if you're dairy-free. You can also sprinkle on some calorie-free spices like chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice.

If you want to get a little more creative, there are lots of toppings and stuffings you can add to your air fryer sweet potatoes. Here are some ideas:

Savory Toppings

• Sour cream
• Cheese
• Black beans
• Salsa
• Chives
• Pecans
• Mini marshmallows
• Brown sugar
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
• Avocado oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• Avocado oil, red chili powder or paprika, salt, and pepper
• Olive oil, curry powder, salt, and pepper
• Olive oil, cinnamon, honey, salt, and pepper

Stuffing Ideas

• Slow cooker chicken enchilada
• Loaded vegetarian
• Italian

You can also get creative and make sweet potato fries or wedges in the air fryer. Cut the sweet potatoes into the desired shape, toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and air fry until crispy.

Frequently asked questions