Tillie Doyle
Air fryers are a great kitchen tool to have, even for vegetarians. They can be used to cook a variety of vegetables, including sweet potatoes. Air-fried sweet potatoes are a healthy snack or side dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways and served with your favourite toppings. They are also a great addition to salads, rice bowls, wraps and more. In this article, we will explore different ways to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer, the appropriate cooking times and temperatures, and how to get the best results.
How to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 10-60 minutes |
| Temperature | 370-400°F |
| Preheat | 3-5 minutes |
| Oil | Olive, avocado, or vegetable oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, harissa |
| Toppings | Butter, coconut oil, chilli, guacamole, taco, vegetarian chilli |
| Potato type | Red Garnet, Beauregard, Japanese |
| Potato shape | Cubes, wedges, whole |
| Potato size | Uniform size for even cooking |
| Potato quantity | Depends on air fryer size |
| Layer | Single layer for even cooking |
| Crispy skin | Flip halfway through |
| Reheating | 350°F for 5-10 minutes |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 5 days, freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
How to cut sweet potatoes for an air fryer
When preparing sweet potatoes for an air fryer, it is important to cut them into evenly sized pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly and at the same rate. For sweet potato wedges, first, slice the sweet potato in half lengthwise. Then, place the cut side down on your cutting board and carefully slice at an angle to create wedges. These can be as thin or thick as you like, but remember that the air fry time will vary depending on the thickness. For sweet potato cubes, cut the sweet potatoes into rounds, and then cut these into equal-sized cubes.
Before cooking, poke several holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape and prevent the potatoes from bursting. You should also pat the sweet potatoes dry before seasoning or adding oil.
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How long to cook sweet potatoes in an air fryer
The cooking time for sweet potatoes in an air fryer varies depending on the size of the potatoes and the style in which they are cut. A medium-sized whole sweet potato will take 40-45 minutes to cook at 375°F (190°C). Smaller potatoes may take less time, and larger potatoes may take longer, so it is recommended to keep an eye on them as they cook.
To cook sweet potato wedges, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges, then season them with oil, salt, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and pepper. Spread the wedges in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap, and air fry for 10 minutes. Check if they are fork-tender, and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes if necessary.
To cook sweet potato cubes, cut the sweet potatoes into evenly sized cubes, then toss them in a bowl with olive oil, harissa, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, then arrange the cubes in a single layer in the air fryer. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking.
For a whole baked sweet potato, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork, then rub them with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and air fry for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check if they are tender after 20 minutes, and cook for an additional 5 minutes if necessary.
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How to season sweet potatoes for an air fryer
Cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy snack or side dish. The cooking time will depend on the size of your sweet potatoes and the model of your air fryer, but generally, sweet potatoes take 35-55 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 370-400°F.
Now, for the seasoning. The great thing about sweet potatoes is that they are versatile and can be seasoned in many different ways. Here are some ideas:
Harissa Spice Blend
This blend is a mix of sweet paprika, garlic, caraway, and hot chili powder. To use this seasoning, first, cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Transfer them to a bowl and add a tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of harissa, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and some crushed black pepper. Toss to combine, then arrange the sweet potato cubes in a single layer in your air fryer and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper
A simple yet classic combination. After cooking the sweet potatoes, slice them open and season them generously with salt and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil for some extra flavor and moisture.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great option if you're looking for a sweet and spicy flavor. It pairs especially well with sweet potatoes that will be used in oatmeal or other breakfast dishes.
Berbere Spice, Cumin, Coriander, and Curry Powder
These spices will give your sweet potatoes a warm and earthy flavor. You can find these spices in most grocery stores or online.
Butter and Coconut Oil
For a creamy and rich flavor, top your cooked sweet potatoes with a pat of butter or a drizzle of coconut oil. This is a great option for those who are dairy-free.
When seasoning your sweet potatoes, feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs. You can also stuff your sweet potatoes with different fillings, such as chicken, vegetables, or Greek yogurt and maple syrup. Enjoy!
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How to reheat sweet potatoes in an air fryer
Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a simple and efficient way to bring out their sweet flavour. It is also much faster than using an oven or microwave.
First, if you are reheating cooked sweet potatoes, store them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you are cooking the sweet potatoes for the first time, wash and dry them before cooking to ensure the oil and seasoning stick to the skin.
When you are ready to reheat the sweet potatoes, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Cut the sweet potatoes into halves, wedges, chunks, or 1-inch cubes. If you are cooking wedges or fries, toss them in a little oil to coat. Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 4-12 minutes, tossing halfway, until heated through.
If you are cooking whole sweet potatoes, you can rub oil over the outside of the skin and add seasoning before wrapping the potato tightly in aluminium foil. Place the wrapped sweet potato in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes at 350°F. Flip the potato halfway through the cooking process and continue cooking until heated all the way through.
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What to serve with sweet potatoes cooked in an air fryer
Sweet potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of mains. Here are some ideas for what to serve with sweet potatoes cooked in an air fryer:
Proteins
Sweet potatoes can be served with a variety of proteins, including beef, poultry, tofu, or eggs. For a vegan option, you could try air fryer tempeh with a peanut sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, try air fryer bison burgers or turkey burgers.
Spices and Seasonings
A simple way to serve sweet potatoes is to top them with butter or coconut oil, and spices like chilli powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice. For a more savoury option, try a harissa spice blend, which includes sweet paprika, garlic, caraway, and chilli powder. You can also use smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Salads and Bowls
Air-fried sweet potatoes can be added to salads, rice bowls, or wraps. Try a Mediterranean-style salad with cucumber, tomato, parsley, and chickpeas, or a bowl with couscous, feta cheese, and walnuts.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
You can also stuff sweet potatoes with different fillings. Some ideas include chicken enchilada, vegetarian chilli, or Italian-inspired fillings.
Other Sides
Sweet potatoes can be served with other sides such as onion and tomato relish or naan bread and cucumber slices.
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Frequently asked questions
Depending on the size of the sweet potato, it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 60 minutes to cook in an air fryer. A medium-sized sweet potato will take around 40-55 minutes at 400°F. Smaller sweet potatoes will take less time, while larger ones may take longer.
Wash the sweet potatoes and poke holes in them with a fork to allow steam to escape and prevent bursting. You can also coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle on sea salt.
Set your air fryer to 375°F-400°F. Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer for about 3-5 minutes before adding the sweet potatoes.
