Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Jackets: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking jacket sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty, healthy meal. This guide will take you through the simple steps to achieve the perfect fluffy centre and crispy skin.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for air frying

Preparing sweet potatoes for air frying is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Selecting the Right Sweet Potatoes:

Choose sweet potatoes that are fresh and have firm skin with minimal wrinkles. Avoid those with soft spots, cracks, or wrinkles. Moist sweet potatoes, such as red or orange varieties, are ideal for baking as they have a sweeter flavour.

Washing and Drying:

Give the sweet potatoes a good wash under tap water, scrubbing them gently to remove any dirt. Dry them thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel.

Pricking:

Use a fork or the tip of a sharp knife to prick holes all over the sweet potatoes. This step is crucial as it allows steam to escape during the cooking process, preventing the potatoes from bursting.

Seasoning (Optional):

You can brush the sweet potatoes with a thin coat of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. This step will give the potatoes a crispy skin and enhance their flavour.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F. Place the seasoned sweet potatoes inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they have some space around them for even cooking. Avoid stacking them on top of each other. Set the timer for 35-45 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. For smaller, diced sweet potatoes, 7-12 minutes may be sufficient.

Checking for Doneness:

Insert a knife into the centre of the largest potato. If it goes in without resistance, your sweet potatoes are ready. If not, continue air frying in 2-minute intervals until they are done.

Cooling and Serving:

Allow the sweet potatoes to cool for a few minutes until they can be handled comfortably. Cut them open, fluff the insides with a fork, and add a pat of butter or your favourite toppings, such as cinnamon, chilli powder, or cumin, or vegan sour cream.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature to cook jacket sweet potatoes in an air fryer is 200C/400F. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes and whether they are diced, cubed, or whole.

For diced sweet potatoes, the cooking time is 7 to 12 minutes. For cubed sweet potatoes, the cooking time is 12 to 15 minutes. For whole sweet potatoes, the cooking time is 20 to 50 minutes.

If you are cooking multiple potatoes, choose potatoes of a similar size to ensure even cooking. Avoid potatoes with extremely skinny ends, as they will cook faster than the middle section.

It is important to prick the potatoes with a fork or a sharp knife before cooking to allow steam to escape. This will help create a light and fluffy texture inside the potatoes.

If you are short on time, you can speed up the cooking process by microwaving the sweet potatoes for 5 minutes before placing them in the air fryer. This will reduce the total cooking time to 15 to 20 minutes. However, microwaving the potatoes will prevent the skin from becoming crispy.

To check if the potatoes are done, insert a knife into the centre of the potato. If the knife goes in without resistance, the potatoes are ready to be served. If there is still resistance, continue cooking in 2-minute intervals until they are done.

How to check if the sweet potatoes are cooked

To check if your sweet potatoes are cooked, you can use a fork or skewer to pierce the potato. If the fork or skewer slides in easily, then your sweet potatoes are cooked and ready to be served!

It's important to note that the cooking time for sweet potatoes in an air fryer will vary depending on factors such as the size and variety of the sweet potatoes, as well as the specific model of your air fryer. Whole sweet potatoes will take longer to cook compared to diced or wedged potatoes. Additionally, the temperature setting and desired level of crispiness will also impact the cooking time.

As a general guideline, whole sweet potatoes at a temperature of 380°F will take approximately 25-50 minutes to cook. Diced or wedged sweet potatoes at 400°F will take around 15-25 minutes. Remember to give the basket a shake or stir halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.

Once the designated cooking time has passed, use a fork or skewer to check if the sweet potatoes are cooked to your desired level of doneness. If the fork or skewer slides in without resistance, your sweet potatoes are ready to be enjoyed!

How to store and reheat sweet potatoes

Storing and reheating sweet potatoes is simple and can be done in a few different ways, depending on your preference. Here's a guide to help you get the best results:

Storing Sweet Potatoes:

• Room Temperature Storage: Sweet potatoes can be stored in a cool, dry place for three to five weeks. Choose sweet potatoes with firm skin and minimal wrinkles for longer storage.
• Refrigerator Storage: If you want to store cooked sweet potatoes, place them in an airtight container or a zip-top plastic bag and keep them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to three days when stored this way.
• Freezer Storage: For longer storage, you can freeze cooked and cooled sweet potatoes. Place them in a ziplock bag or an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to two months.

Reheating Sweet Potatoes:

• Air Fryer: Reheating sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a great way to restore their flavour and texture. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook the potatoes for 10-12 minutes. You can also reheat sweet potato fries in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the fries for 4-6 minutes.
• Microwave: If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat sweet potatoes in the microwave. This is a quick and convenient option.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly oil a baking sheet. Place the sweet potatoes on the sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. For crispier skin, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
• Toaster Oven: If you're reheating a single sweet potato, set the toaster oven to 350°F and cook for 10 minutes. For multiple potatoes, increase the temperature to 375°F and cook for 15 minutes.

Remember, when reheating sweet potatoes, it's important not to overcrowd the cooking appliance and to flip or rotate them halfway through the cooking process for even heating.

Sweet potato filling ideas

Savoury

• Butter or coconut oil
• Chilli powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice
• Chicken enchilada
• Vegetarian baked beans
• Italian-inspired fillings
• Broccoli and peanut sauce
• Sautéed apples and granola
• Cashew cream and fresh herbs
• Vegan chilli and cheese
• Chickpea tikka masala or curry
• Vegan cheddar and coconut bacon
• Black beans and chipotle ranch dressing
• Buffalo chicken and ranch
• BBQ pulled pork, chicken, or beef
• Breakfast fillings: bacon, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and herbs
• Mediterranean fillings: roasted chickpeas, garlic-herb sauce, and a parsley-tomato salad
• Spinach and artichoke
• Feta, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes
• Broccoli and cheese
• Quinoa, bacon, chicken, and maple syrup
• Roast turkey and cranberry
• Roasted grapes, goat cheese, and honey

Sweet

• Cinnamon, maple syrup, and butter
• Whipped cinnamon honey butter
• Sauteed cinnamon apples and toasted pecans

You can also try sweet potato with just salt and pepper, or chilli powder.

Frequently asked questions