Cody Casey
Sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from casseroles to pies. They are a great source of vitamins and minerals and can be prepared in many ways. One of the most popular methods is to roast them, as it brings out their natural sweetness. This can be done in an oven, but using an Instant Pot or air fryer is much more convenient and takes less time. In this guide, we will explore how to cook sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot and air fryer, so you can enjoy perfectly cooked, soft, fluffy, and creamy sweet potatoes every time.
Cooking Sweet Potatoes in an Instant Pot Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 10-12 minutes for small cubes; 35-40 minutes for whole potatoes |
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Potato Size | Small, 6-8 oz; Medium, 8-12 oz; Large, 12 oz or more |
| Potato Type | Garnet sweet potatoes; Orange-skinned sweet potatoes |
| Potato Condition | Firm; No bruises or discolouration |
| Potato Preparation | Washed; Pricked with a fork; Coated with oil and salt |
| Potato Storage | Stored in a cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated place |
| Potato Yield | Enough for a week of meal prep |
| Potato Leftovers | Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days |
| Potato Reheating | In the oven at 350°F; In the microwave |
| Potato Freezing | Individually wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
How to roast sweet potatoes in an air fryer
Roasting sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a convenient and tasty way to cook them. It brings out their natural sweetness and creates a crispy exterior with a tender interior. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast sweet potatoes in an air fryer:
Step 1: Select and Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Choose firm sweet potatoes with orange skin, as they are moist, sweet, and creamy. Look for potatoes without bruises or discolourations. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water. You can peel them, but it is not necessary. If you do peel them, be careful not to burn yourself, and consider letting them cool for a few minutes before handling.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This step is essential, as it ensures even cooking and the perfect texture. Some air fryers have a preheat option and will remind you to add the food once it reaches the desired temperature.
Step 3: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes for Cooking
Poke several holes in each sweet potato using a fork. This step is crucial and helps prevent steam buildup inside the potatoes. Then, lightly coat the sweet potatoes with oil and season with salt. You can also add other seasonings like cinnamon and honey to enhance the flavour.
Step 4: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Place the prepared sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. For even cooking, ensure they are not crowded. Cook the sweet potatoes for 10-12 minutes for smaller pieces or 30-40 minutes for whole potatoes. Shake the basket or flip the potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. The cooking time may vary depending on your desired level of doneness and the size of the sweet potatoes.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
Insert a fork or knife into the centre of the thickest part of the sweet potato to check if it is done to your liking. If it slides in easily and the sweet potatoes are tender, they are ready. If not, return them to the air fryer and cook in 2-minute increments until done.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the sweet potatoes are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them as a side dish or main course, enjoying the crispy skin and fluffy interior. You can also use the cooked sweet potatoes in various recipes, such as mashing them or adding them to casseroles or salads.
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How to steam sweet potatoes in an instant pot
First, rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes clean. You can peel them if you like, but it's not necessary. Poke holes in each potato using a fork. This step is optional but recommended, as it allows steam to escape.
Next, add water to the base of the Instant Pot. Place the sweet potatoes on a trivet inside the pot to keep them out of the water. It's okay to stack the potatoes if needed. Close and seal the lid, then set the valve to 'seal'.
The cooking time will depend on the size of your sweet potatoes. Small potatoes (6-8 ounces) will take around 12-15 minutes, medium potatoes (8-12 ounces) will take 17-25 minutes, and large potatoes (12 ounces or more) will take 25-50 minutes. Select the manual/high-pressure button and adjust the time as needed.
Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes. After this, carefully vent any remaining pressure and open the lid. Use tongs to remove the sweet potatoes from the pot. Make a slit across the top to open them up, or cut them in half. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.
Leftover sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3-6 months. To reheat, you can use the oven, microwave, or even the Instant Pot itself.
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How to make sweet potato mash in an air fryer
Firstly, select some medium-sized sweet potatoes that are smooth and evenly shaped without any cuts or blemishes. Give them a good wash and scrub to clean the skin. Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork. This will help the heat escape while cooking.
Next, dry the potatoes with a clean towel to remove any excess moisture. Then, lightly coat the sweet potatoes with oil and salt. Make sure to cover all sides of the potatoes with the oil and salt. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the potatoes in the air fryer and cook for 35-40 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Once they are done, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool down until they are easy to handle. Peel the skin off the potatoes and add butter, milk or cream, and salt to taste. Now, it's time to mash! Use a masher or a sturdy fork to mash the potatoes until you reach your desired consistency. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the potatoes gluey.
And that's it! You now have delicious, fluffy sweet potato mash made in your air fryer. This method is a quick and convenient way to cook sweet potatoes, and it also frees up your oven for other dishes. Enjoy your sweet potato mash as a side dish or a comforting main meal.
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How to bake sweet potatoes in an instant pot
Baked sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy treat, and using an Instant Pot to cook them is a convenient way to achieve perfect results in less than half the time it takes to bake them in an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to bake sweet potatoes in an Instant Pot:
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Start by selecting the right size of sweet potatoes for your Instant Pot. The size of the potatoes will determine the cooking time, so choose medium-sized potatoes for the most accurate timing. Give the potatoes a good rinse and scrub to remove any dirt.
Step 2: Poke and Coat
Using a fork, prick each potato a few times. This step is important to release pressure and prevent bursting. You can then choose to coat the potatoes lightly with oil and season with salt, which will result in a crispier skin.
Step 3: Cook in the Instant Pot
Place the whole sweet potatoes into the Instant Pot, stacking them if needed. It is recommended to use a trivet to keep the potatoes out of the water, as they steam-cook. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure. The cooking time will vary based on the size of the potatoes: 15 minutes for small, 17 minutes for medium, and 25 minutes for large potatoes.
Step 4: Release Pressure and Serve
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully vent any remaining pressure and open the lid. Use tongs to remove the potatoes, and make a slit across the top to open them up. You can fluff up the insides with a fork, add your favourite toppings, and serve immediately.
Storing and Reheating
Leftover baked sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or even the Instant Pot itself, ensuring they remain tasty and versatile for several meals.
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How to adjust cooking time based on sweet potato size
The size of your sweet potatoes will determine how long they need to cook for. Small sweet potatoes (6 to 8 ounces) will need 12-15 minutes, medium sweet potatoes (8 to 12 ounces) will need 17-25 minutes, and large sweet potatoes (12 ounces or more) will need 25-50 minutes. If your sweet potatoes are not soft enough after the recommended cooking time, you can add an additional 5-10 minutes.
It's important to note that the cooking time may also depend on the method of cooking you choose. For example, if you are using an air fryer, small to medium-sized sweet potatoes will need 10-12 minutes for the perfect texture. If you prefer them crunchier, you can add a couple of extra minutes. However, if you are baking your sweet potatoes in an oven, they will need a longer cooking time of around 30-40 minutes.
Additionally, the size of the sweet potatoes may also affect the cooking time if you are cooking them in an Instant Pot. This is because larger sweet potatoes will take longer to cook through evenly. Therefore, it is recommended to use medium-sized sweet potatoes if you want to follow a recipe without adjusting the cooking time.
When cooking sweet potatoes, it is also essential to consider the cooking method and the desired level of doneness. For example, if you are roasting or air-frying sweet potatoes, you may prefer them to have a crispy exterior and tender interior. In this case, you would need to adjust the cooking time accordingly until the desired texture is achieved.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the size of the sweet potatoes. Small potatoes take 12-15 minutes, medium potatoes take 17-25 minutes, and large potatoes take 25-50 minutes.
First, wash the sweet potatoes and pat them dry. Then, prick them with a fork and rub them with oil. Place them in the air fryer basket and preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Air fry for 35-40 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Leftover sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can use the oven, microwave, or even the Instant Pot itself.
