Cody Casey
Air fryers are a great way to cook sweet potatoes, offering a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to oven-baking. The cooking time depends on the size of the potato and the desired texture, but generally, air-frying a whole sweet potato takes between 20 and 50 minutes. This is significantly less time than it takes to bake sweet potatoes in an oven, which can take anywhere from 50 to 80 minutes.
To cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer, first, pierce the skin several times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Then, rub the potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at around 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes for small potatoes, or up to 50 minutes for larger ones. Flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
Air-fried sweet potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course and topped with a variety of sweet or savory toppings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 30-50 minutes |
| Temperature | 370-400°F |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder |
| Toppings | Butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup, sour cream, cheese, black beans, salsa, chives, pecans, mini marshmallows, coconut sugar, Greek yogurt, bacon, green onions, vegetarian chilli, sea salt |
What You'll Learn
How to get the right level of crispiness
The crispiness of your air-fried sweet potato depends on several factors, including the temperature, cooking time, and preparation. Here are some tips to help you achieve the desired level of crispiness:
Temperature and Cooking Time
The temperature and cooking time you choose will depend on your desired level of crispiness. For a crispier sweet potato, aim for the higher end of the temperature range (around 400°F/200°C) and cook for a little longer, likely towards the higher end of the cooking time range (35-50 minutes for whole sweet potatoes). For a slightly less crispy result, you can reduce the temperature to 370°F and cook for a shorter duration.
Preparation
Before cooking, poke holes in the sweet potato with a fork to prevent it from bursting during cooking. Then, toss the sweet potato in olive oil, avocado oil, or butter, ensuring an even coating. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Shake the basket periodically during cooking to ensure even cooking.
Serving
Once your sweet potatoes are cooked, let them sit for a few minutes before slicing or cutting a slit in the top to release some steam. This will help maintain the crispiness of the exterior. You can then add your desired toppings, such as butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, or sour cream.
Troubleshooting
If your sweet potatoes turn out less crispy than desired, you may have skipped the oil or chosen a lower temperature. Remember that the dryer your potatoes are before cooking, the crispier they will become. Also, ensure that you are not wrapping them in foil, as this will steam the potatoes and result in a softer skin.
Quickly Reheat Pigs in Blankets with an Air Fryer
You may want to see also
How to avoid overcooking
To avoid overcooking your sweet potatoes in the air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the cooking time will depend on the size of your sweet potatoes, so it's important to select potatoes that are all similar in size. If you have a mix of large and small potatoes, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
Secondly, it is crucial to poke holes in the sweet potatoes before cooking. This allows steam to escape and prevents the potatoes from bursting or exploding during cooking. Make 4-8 holes in each potato using a fork.
Thirdly, the ideal temperature for baking sweet potatoes in an air fryer is around 370°F to 400°F. At this temperature, whole sweet potatoes will typically take around 35-50 minutes to cook. However, keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to check the manufacturer's instructions.
To avoid overcooking, keep an eye on the potatoes during the cooking process and use a fork to test for doneness. The potatoes are ready when they are fork-tender, which means that a fork can be easily inserted into the flesh without resistance.
Additionally, avoid wrapping the sweet potatoes in foil as this can soften the skin and result in soggy potatoes. Instead, place the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket and give them a shake halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking on all sides.
By following these tips, you can avoid overcooking your sweet potatoes and achieve a perfect balance of crispy skin and a soft, fluffy centre every time!
Air Fryer Frozen Biscuits: How Long to Cook?
You may want to see also
How to avoid undercooking
To avoid undercooking your sweet potatoes in the air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, make sure you are using the correct size of sweet potato for the desired cooking time. Whole sweet potatoes typically take between 20 to 50 minutes to cook in an air fryer, depending on their size. If you are cooking diced or cubed sweet potatoes, the cooking time will be significantly reduced, with diced potatoes taking 7 to 12 minutes, and cubed potatoes taking 12 to 15 minutes. Therefore, choosing the right size of potato for your recipe is crucial to ensure they are properly cooked.
Secondly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. While some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, others recommend preheating to ensure even cooking and to reduce the overall cooking time. If you are using a recipe that requires preheating, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model.
Another important factor to consider is the temperature setting. The ideal temperature for baking sweet potatoes in an air fryer is between 370°F and 400°F. Cooking at a lower temperature may result in undercooked potatoes, so be sure to adjust your air fryer's temperature setting accordingly.
Additionally, it is crucial to poke holes in the sweet potatoes before placing them in the air fryer. This allows steam to escape during the cooking process and helps prevent the potatoes from bursting. Make sure to poke at least 4-8 holes in each potato using a fork.
Finally, avoid wrapping the sweet potatoes in foil. Wrapping them in foil will steam the potatoes and result in soggy skin. Instead, place the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket to achieve a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Hard-Boiled Eggs: Air Fryer Style, Quick and Easy!
You may want to see also
How to prepare the sweet potatoes before cooking
How to Prepare Sweet Potatoes Before Cooking
When preparing sweet potatoes to be cooked in an air fryer, there are several steps you can take to ensure they turn out perfectly. Firstly, select sweet potatoes that have firm, unwrinkled skin and avoid those with soft spots, wrinkles, cracks, or bruises. You can peel the sweet potatoes if you prefer, but it's not necessary, and leaving the skin on will provide extra texture and nutrients.
Before cooking, rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes, leaving them slightly damp. Then, use a fork to poke holes in the potatoes. This step is important as it allows steam to escape and prevents the potatoes from bursting during cooking. You can also sprinkle the potatoes with a little salt at this stage so that it sticks to the damp surface.
Next, you can optionally drizzle the potatoes with olive oil or another oil of your choice. This step will help the skin to crisp up during cooking, so don't skip it if you want crispy potatoes! You can also add seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or keep it simple with just salt and pepper to taste. Toss the potatoes to ensure they are evenly coated in oil and seasonings.
Finally, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. If you have a lot of potatoes, you may need to cook them in batches.
Reheating Blooming Onions: Air Fryer Time
You may want to see also
What to serve with air fryer sweet potatoes
Air fryer sweet potatoes are a great side dish for any meal. They can be added to salads, tacos, or enjoyed as a healthy snack. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air fryer sweet potatoes:
Savory Options
If you're looking for something savory to serve with your air fryer sweet potatoes, here are some options:
- Butter or coconut oil
- Sour cream, cheese, black beans, salsa, and chives
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Loaded Vegetarian Baked Sweet Potato
- Italian Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Turmeric Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
- Parmesan Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Balsamic Glaze
- Baked Sweet Potato Egg Cups
Sweet Options
If you have more of a sweet tooth, try these options:
- Cinnamon and honey
- Brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans
- Maple syrup
- Mini marshmallows
Seasoning Options
To add some extra flavor to your air fryer sweet potatoes, consider using one of these seasoning options:
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin spice
- Curry powder
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Garam masala
- Chili lime seasoning
Main Course Options
If you're looking for a main course to serve with your air fryer sweet potatoes, here are some ideas:
- Maple Glazed Pork Chops
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Seafood
Reheating Deep-Dish Pizza: Air Fryer Time
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It takes around 30-50 minutes to bake sweet potatoes in an air fryer, depending on the size of the potatoes and the temperature. Smaller potatoes will take less time, while larger ones may need a little longer. The ideal temperature to bake sweet potatoes is around 370-400°F.
First, wash and scrub the sweet potatoes. Then, poke holes in the potatoes with a fork. You can also rub them with oil and season them with salt and pepper, if desired.
It is not necessary to wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking them in an air fryer. In fact, doing so may make the skin soggy. Poking holes in the potatoes before baking is important to prevent them from bursting during cooking. It is also recommended to shake the air fryer basket occasionally during cooking to ensure even cooking.
