Air-Fryer Sweet Potatoes: Soft, Sweet, And Quick

Soft and sweet, air-fried sweet potatoes are a delicious and healthy snack or side dish. They are also incredibly versatile and can be added to wraps, salads, tacos, and rice bowls or enjoyed on their own. With an air fryer, you can have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes in less than 20 minutes, making them a convenient option for busy weeknights. In this article, we will explore the benefits of cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer, provide tips for getting the best results, and offer suggestions for serving this tasty and nutritious treat.

Choosing the right sweet potatoes

• Look for firm sweet potatoes with minimal wrinkles, bruises, cracks, or soft spots. Avoid those that are becoming softer or have discolourations.
• The type of sweet potato you choose will depend on your preference for taste and texture. Some common varieties include:
• Orange-skinned sweet potatoes: These are moist, sweet, and creamy. Examples include Garnet and Red Garnet sweet potatoes.
• Japanese sweet potatoes
• Beauregard sweet potatoes (the most common variety in the US)
• Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are the richest in beta-carotene.
• Select sweet potatoes of similar size and shape, especially if you plan to cut them into cubes or wedges. This will help ensure even cooking.
• Plan to use the sweet potatoes within three to five weeks, and store them in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place.

By choosing the right sweet potatoes and following the cooking instructions for your air fryer, you'll be well on your way to enjoying soft and delicious sweet potatoes as a side dish or snack.

Preparing the sweet potatoes

Firstly, select good-quality sweet potatoes that are firm with minimal wrinkles, bruises, cracks, or soft spots. Look for potatoes with orange flesh, as they tend to be sweeter and creamier. You can also leave the skin on or peel it off, depending on your preference.

Next, wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water, drying them with a clean towel or paper towels afterward. This step is important, as any remaining water can affect the crispiness of the potatoes during cooking.

Now, it's time to cut the sweet potatoes. You can cut them into cubes, wedges, or fries, ensuring that the pieces are of similar size for even cooking. For wedges, cut the potatoes lengthwise, and for fries, cut them into thin slices, about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick.

Place the cut sweet potatoes in a large bowl and add your desired seasonings. A simple combination of olive oil or avocado oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper works well. You can also experiment with other spices like paprika, cumin, or cinnamon for a unique flavor profile. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. The ideal temperature for cooking sweet potatoes is around 380-400°F (199-200°C). Arrange the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cooking times will vary depending on the size and type of sweet potato and your air fryer model, but generally, whole sweet potatoes will take around 20-50 minutes, cubes or wedges will take 10-20 minutes, and diced or cubed potatoes will take 7-15 minutes.

During the cooking process, remember to shake the air fryer basket or turn the potatoes a few times to ensure even cooking on all sides. Your sweet potatoes are ready when they are soft, golden, and crispy!

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, soft sweet potatoes from your air fryer!

Seasoning the sweet potatoes

Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper

This is a simple yet effective combination that will bring out the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. Start by tossing the cubed sweet potatoes with a tablespoon of olive oil, a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder, a third of a teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well to ensure all the potatoes are coated. You can also add some paprika for an extra kick.

Harissa Spice Blend

If you're feeling adventurous, try using a harissa spice blend, which includes sweet paprika, garlic, caraway, and hot chilli powder. Simply replace the garlic powder with half a teaspoon of this blend and follow the same steps as above.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a great option if you're planning to use the sweet potatoes in oatmeal or another sweet dish. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the olive oil and seasoning mixture, and toss the potatoes until they are well coated.

Curry Powder

For a more savoury option, try using curry powder, turmeric, cumin, or garam masala. This will give the sweet potatoes a delicious, aromatic flavour. Simply replace the garlic powder with your chosen spice and follow the same steps as above.

Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar

For an extra sweet treat, you can add a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar to the seasoning mixture. This will give the sweet potatoes a delicious, caramelised coating.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure all the potatoes are well coated. You can use your hands to rub the seasoning onto the potatoes, or toss them in a bowl until they are evenly covered. Happy frying!

Cooking the sweet potatoes

Start by selecting the right sweet potatoes. Look for firm potatoes with minimal bruises or discolouration. Avoid those that are becoming softer.

You can leave the peel on or peel it off, depending on your preference. If you are buying organic, you can skip peeling them.

Next, cut the sweet potatoes. You can cut them into cubes, fries, wedges, or slices. Try to keep the pieces a similar size so that they cook at the same rate.

If you want extra crispy sweet potatoes, cut them and submerge them in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Dry them well before cooking, as water left on them will prevent them from crisping up.

Now, it's time to season the sweet potatoes. You can use various seasonings like olive oil or avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the sweet potato pieces in a large bowl with the oil and seasonings until they are well coated.

Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Arrange the sweet potato pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will create a steaming effect instead of crisping up the potatoes.

Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer and cook at a temperature between 370-400°F for 10-20 minutes, depending on the size and type of cut. Shake the basket or turn the sweet potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Once they are golden, crispy, and fork-tender, they are ready to be served! You can sprinkle them with more salt and pepper to taste, and add your favourite toppings or dips.

Enjoy your soft and delicious air-fried sweet potatoes!

Serving the soft sweet potatoes

Once your soft sweet potatoes are ready, there are endless ways to serve them! You can keep it simple with a pat of butter or a drizzle of coconut oil on top. For a calorie-free option, sprinkle on some chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice.

If you're feeling something more savoury, stuff your sweet potatoes with different fillings. Some tasty options include slow cooker chicken enchilada, loaded vegetarian, or Italian stuffed sweet potatoes. You can also add them to burrito bowls, rice bowls, or tacos, or combine them with chickpeas to make sweet potato tacos. For a more indulgent option, drizzle them with cilantro chutney or sweet tamarind chutney to make sweet potato chaat.

If you're making sweet potatoes as a side dish, they go with almost anything! Try them with air fryer proteins like salmon, chicken legs, or steak bites. For a healthier option, cook some skillet chicken thighs, ribeye steak, or pan-fried tilapia on the stovetop, or pop some healthy chicken breast or coconut shrimp in the oven.

Sweet potatoes also pair well with dipping sauces like ranch dressing, sugar-free ketchup, tahini sauce, or aioli. If you're looking for something green on the side, try air fryer broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Or, throw together a quick salad like a kale or fall salad.

For breakfast, serve your soft sweet potatoes as a base for fried or baked eggs, or on the side with an omelette.

Frequently asked questions