Air Fryer Purple Sweet Potatoes: Perfect Timing

how long to cook purple sweet potatoes in air fryer

Purple sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy alternative to regular potatoes, packed with antioxidants and a gorgeous colour. They can be cooked in an air fryer in a variety of ways, from slices to fries, and even baked. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the potato pieces, as well as the desired level of crispiness. In general, it is recommended to cook purple sweet potatoes in an air fryer for around 12-20 minutes, depending on the style of the dish and the desired level of crispiness.

How long to cook purple sweet potatoes in an air fryer

Characteristics Values
Preheat temperature 180C or 360F
Preheat time 4 minutes
Cooking temperature 180C or 360F
Cooking time 12 minutes, then check for doneness
Additional cooking time 6-8 minutes
Total cooking time 18-20 minutes
Shake the basket Every 6 minutes
Oil Extra virgin olive oil
Oil alternative Water, aquafaba, or vegetable broth
Seasoning Salt, garlic powder, paprika
Size 1/2-inch or medium-sized slices
Basket capacity 2 sliced sweet potatoes
Basket weight 500 gm or 1 lb
Storage Store in a shallow airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days

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Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your purple sweet potatoes will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for this specific dish:

First, ensure your air fryer is clean and dry. Set the temperature to between 180°C (356°F) and 195°C (383°F). The exact temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and personal preference, but this range is ideal for cooking purple sweet potatoes. You can also preheat at a higher temperature of 360°F (182°C) for 4 minutes if you prefer.

Once the desired temperature is reached, place the marinated or seasoned sweet potato slices in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may fit 1-2 sliced sweet potatoes in one batch. It is important not to overcrowd the basket, so cook in multiple batches if necessary.

After placing the sweet potatoes in the air fryer, you can proceed with the next steps of the cooking process. The total cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your slices and your desired level of doneness. However, preheating your air fryer will ensure that the cooking process is more consistent and efficient.

Some recipes suggest preheating at a lower temperature of 320°F (160°C) and then increasing to 400°F (204°C) for a shorter period to achieve a crispier texture. This two-step temperature approach may be ideal if you prefer a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior.

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Season the potatoes

Seasoning your purple sweet potatoes is a great way to add flavour and make them even more delicious. Here are some tips and suggestions for seasoning:

Firstly, decide on the type of oil you want to use. Olive oil is a popular choice, and extra virgin olive oil is recommended by some. However, you can also use avocado oil, which has a high smoke point, or any other neutral oil of your preference. If you want a zero-oil version, you can skip the oil altogether and use water, aquafaba, or vegetable broth to toss your seasonings in.

Next, choose your seasonings. Salt is a common choice, and you can use regular salt or get creative with something like Sriracha-flavoured salt. You can also try other seasonings like garlic powder and paprika, or simply stick to just salt and fresh parsley. If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find your perfect flavour profile. Don't be afraid to mix and match to create a unique blend that suits your taste buds.

Now it's time to toss your potatoes with the oil and seasonings. Place your potatoes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with your chosen oil. Add your seasonings and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated. Make sure you don't overcrowd the bowl and prepare them in batches if needed. This step ensures that your seasonings stick to the potatoes and also helps to get a crispy texture when cooked.

Finally, after tossing your potatoes, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your basket, you may be able to fit one or two potatoes at a time. Lay the marinated slices in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded, as this will affect the cooking process and texture. Once your potatoes are in the basket, they are ready to be cooked according to your preferred cooking time and temperature.

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Cook at 350°F for 20 minutes

To cook purple sweet potatoes in an air fryer, start by washing your potatoes using a vegetable brush to remove any dirt. Poke holes into the potatoes using a fork. You can cut the potatoes in half, or into slices or strips, depending on whether you want to bake them or make fries. If you're making fries, you can also peel the potatoes.

Next, toss the potatoes in olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add other seasonings of your choice. It's important to use oil or an alternative like water, aquafaba, or vegetable broth, as this will help the seasoning to stick.

Now you're ready to cook your potatoes. Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the potatoes and cook for another 15 minutes. You can tell when they're fully cooked as they will pierce easily with a fork.

If you're making fries, you may need to cook your potatoes for less time. One source recommends cooking at 400°F for 10 minutes, then shaking or flipping the fries and cooking for another 6-8 minutes. Another suggests cooking at 360°F for about 12 minutes, shaking the basket every 6 minutes, then cooking for another 6-8 minutes if needed. A third source recommends cooking at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, shaking or flipping the fries halfway through.

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Flip and cook for another 15 minutes

When cooking purple sweet potatoes in an air fryer, it's important to keep in mind the size and thickness of the potatoes, as this will impact the cooking time. For small to medium-sized potatoes, a total cooking time of 20 minutes is usually sufficient, with a flip halfway through. For larger potatoes, consider adding 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time.

To ensure even cooking, it's recommended to cut the potatoes into slices or fries of equal width. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F and place the potatoes in the basket. After the initial 20 minutes, flip the potatoes and cook for an additional 15 minutes. This will ensure that all sides of the potatoes are cooked evenly.

During the cooking process, it's important to keep an eye on the potatoes and adjust the timing as needed. Depending on the thickness of your slices, you may need to cook them for an additional 6-8 minutes at 180C or 360F. Remember to shake the basket every 6 minutes to prevent the potatoes from sticking together and to facilitate even cooking.

Once the additional 15 minutes of cooking time is up, check if the potatoes are fully cooked by piercing them with a fork. If the fork goes through easily, your potatoes are ready to be enjoyed! Top them with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or any other seasonings of your choice.

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Serve with dips

To make air fryer purple sweet potato fries, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 4 minutes. You can also preheat to a higher temperature, such as 390°F or 400°F, depending on your preference. Wash, peel, and slice the sweet potatoes into medium slices of equal width so that they cook evenly together. Place the sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl and toss with extra virgin olive oil, or another neutral oil, and seasonings of your choice. You can also use water, aquafaba, or vegetable broth to toss the seasonings in if you want a zero-oil version.

Lay the marinated slices in the air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes. Check for doneness and shake the basket every 6 minutes. If needed, air fry for another 6-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your slices and their doneness. The sweet potatoes are ready when they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve immediately with your favorite dip. Some dip options include:

  • Spicy Mayo
  • Garlic Parmesan Sauce
  • Sour Cream and Sriracha Sauce
  • Hot Pepper Sauce

Frequently asked questions

It takes around 12 minutes to cook purple sweet potatoes in an air fryer. Check for doneness after 12 minutes, and if needed, cook for another 6-10 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 180°C or 360°F.

Wash, peel, and slice the potatoes into equal widths so they cook evenly. You can also toss them in olive oil and seasonings.

The potatoes are done when they are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. You should also be able to easily pierce them with a fork.

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