Reheating Sweet Potatoes: Air Fryer Time And Tips

Air fryers are a fantastic kitchen tool for quickly and easily cooking food. They're especially useful for reheating baked sweet potatoes, which can be time-consuming to prepare from scratch. Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy them without sacrificing their flavour or texture. The air fryer's circulation of hot air gives the potatoes a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft and fluffy interior.

How to reheat sweet potato chunks in an air fryer

Ingredients and Equipment

• Cooked sweet potato chunks
• Air fryer
• Olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil
• Seasoning (optional)

Step 1: Prepare Your Sweet Potatoes

Begin by coating your sweet potato chunks in a thin layer of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil. This will help to crisp up the outsides of the sweet potato chunks and make them nice and golden. You can also add some seasoning at this stage if you like. Salt and pepper will add some extra flavour, or you could try garlic powder, cinnamon, or smoked paprika.

Step 2: Place in the Air Fryer

Spread the sweet potato chunks out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they have enough space, and cook in batches if necessary. Set the air fryer to 350°F (177°C).

Step 3: Reheat

Reheat your sweet potato chunks for 4-7 minutes. Shake the basket or use tongs to turn the chunks over halfway through cooking to ensure they heat through evenly.

Tips

• If you're short on time, you can skip preheating the air fryer. This may add a couple of minutes to the overall cooking time.
• If you're reheating a large batch of sweet potato chunks, the second batch may cook more quickly than the first as the air fryer will already be hot.
• For extra crispy sweet potato chunks, add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Topping Ideas

• Sour cream and chives
• Blue cheese, walnuts, and honey
• Brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter
• Toasted pecans, maple syrup, and butter
• Marshmallows, brown sugar, and cinnamon
• Yogurt sauce and veggies

The best oil to use when reheating sweet potatoes

Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious and nutritious vegetable with minimal effort. You can reheat them without worrying about losing their flavor or texture. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, giving it a crispy exterior while maintaining its soft and fluffy interior.

When it comes to choosing the best oil for reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer, there are several options that can deliver excellent results:

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a popular choice for reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer. It has a relatively high smoke point, which means it can withstand the high temperatures of air frying without burning. Olive oil also adds a subtle fruity flavor to the sweet potatoes, enhancing their taste.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is another excellent option for reheating sweet potatoes. It has an even higher smoke point than olive oil, making it ideal for high-heat cooking methods like air frying. Avocado oil is mild in flavor, allowing the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes to shine through.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is a lesser-known but equally effective oil for air frying sweet potatoes. It has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it a versatile choice for various cooking applications. Grapeseed oil also contains healthy fats and antioxidants, adding nutritional benefits to your dish.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is a common cooking oil with a very high smoke point, making it suitable for air frying at high temperatures. It has a neutral flavor that won't overpower the taste of your sweet potatoes.

Cooking Spray

If you want to use a minimal amount of oil, you can opt for a cooking spray. Cooking sprays are typically made with oils like canola or vegetable oil and are designed to coat the surface of your food evenly with a thin layer of oil.

When reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer, it's important to remember that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size and type of sweet potatoes you're using. Be sure to follow the specific instructions for your air fryer model to ensure optimal results.

Additionally, you can experiment with different seasonings to add extra flavor to your reheated sweet potatoes. Some popular seasoning options include kosher salt, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cinnamon.

By choosing the right oil and following the appropriate cooking techniques, you can enjoy delicious, crispy, and fluffy reheated sweet potatoes from your air fryer.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for reheating

Preparing sweet potatoes for reheating in an air fryer is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve the best results:

Step 1: Selecting and Storing Sweet Potatoes

When choosing sweet potatoes, look for ones with firm skin and minimal wrinkles. Avoid potatoes with soft spots, cracks, or wrinkles. The variety of sweet potato is also a matter of preference; popular options include orange garnet potatoes, Japanese sweet potatoes, Beauregard, and Red Garnet. Store your selected sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place for up to five weeks before use.

Step 2: Pre-Cooking Preparation

Before cooking your sweet potatoes for the first time, wash and scrub the skin to remove any dirt. You can peel the sweet potatoes if desired, but it is not necessary. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork to prevent them from bursting during the cooking process. Do not wrap them in tin foil, as this can make them soggy.

Step 3: Seasoning and Oil

For reheating purposes, it is best to keep the seasoning simple. Drizzle olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil over the sweet potatoes, and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, cinnamon, or paprika for extra flavour. Make sure to coat the sweet potatoes evenly.

Step 4: Initial Cooking

The initial cooking process will vary depending on the cut of your sweet potatoes. For whole sweet potatoes, cook them in the air fryer at 200C/400F for 20-50 minutes. For diced or cubed sweet potatoes, cook for 7-15 minutes. Ensure that you do not overcrowd the air fryer basket and shake it occasionally for even cooking.

Step 5: Reheating

To reheat your cooked sweet potatoes, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil to retain moisture and tenderness. Place the wrapped potatoes in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Reheat for 10-12 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.

Step 6: Serving

Remove the sweet potatoes from the air fryer using tongs and let them cool slightly before handling. Serve with your favourite toppings, such as butter, cinnamon, marshmallows, sour cream, cheese, or brown sugar. Enjoy your delicious and perfectly reheated sweet potatoes!

How long to reheat sweet potatoes in an air fryer

Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is an excellent way to enjoy them without compromising their flavour or texture. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.

To reheat sweet potatoes in an air fryer, first prepare the potatoes by rubbing oil over the skin and adding your choice of seasonings. You can then wrap the potatoes in aluminium foil to keep them moist and tender during the reheating process. Next, place the wrapped potatoes into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer, and set the temperature to 350°F. The cooking time will depend on the size and cut of the sweet potatoes:

• Diced sweet potatoes: 3-5 minutes
• Sweet potato chunks: 4-7 minutes
• Air fryer sweet potato cubes: 8-10 minutes
• Whole sweet potatoes: 20-25 minutes
• Sweet potato wedges: 9-12 minutes

For whole sweet potatoes, the cooking time can range from 10-12 minutes, or 15-20 minutes if they are larger. It is important to note that you should flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even heating.

Additionally, it is recommended to poke holes in the sweet potatoes before reheating them in the air fryer. This allows the steam to escape during the cooking process and prevents the potatoes from bursting.

How to store leftover reheated sweet potatoes

Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy them without losing their flavor or texture. The air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food, giving it a crispy exterior while maintaining its soft and fluffy interior.

Now, if you have leftover reheated sweet potatoes, the best way to store them is in an airtight container or a zip-top plastic bag. Place the potatoes inside and seal them shut. The potatoes can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three to five days.

It is important to note that you shouldn't leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can promote bacteria growth and cause foodborne illness.

If you want to store your leftover reheated sweet potatoes for longer, you can also freeze them. Place the cooked and cooled potatoes in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months.

When you are ready to enjoy your leftover reheated sweet potatoes again, you can reheat them in the air fryer or in the microwave.

Frequently asked questions