Air-Fried Sweet Potato Mash: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Sweet potatoes are a versatile root vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, steaming, air frying, pressure cooking, or boiling. One popular way to prepare sweet potatoes is to make them into a delicious and creamy mash. This can be done by first cooking the sweet potatoes until they are soft, then removing the skin and mashing the potato with a potato masher or fork. To make them extra creamy, some milk can be added. For a sweet twist, cinnamon, maple syrup or brown sugar can be added, or for a savoury option, salt, pepper, smoked paprika or Parmesan cheese can be included. This dish is perfect as a side for a range of meals and is a tasty, healthier alternative to sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.

How to bake sweet potatoes in an air fryer

Baking sweet potatoes in an air fryer is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this nutritious dish. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect results:

Preparation:

Start by selecting the right size of sweet potatoes. Choose larger ones if you plan to cut them into thick slices or rounds. Clean the potatoes and dry them thoroughly. This step is important, especially if you want crispy skins. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork. This step will allow steam to escape during cooking, preventing them from bursting.

Seasoning:

Generously rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil. You can also sprinkle salt on the outsides at this stage, or leave them plain if you prefer. If desired, you can add other seasonings like kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, or a pinch of cinnamon for a sweet twist.

Air Frying:

Place the seasoned sweet potatoes directly on the air fryer rack or in the basket. Make sure to leave space between them and avoid stacking. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F. The cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes, but it typically ranges from 35 to 50 minutes. For even cooking, use tongs to flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process.

Checking for Doneness:

To check if your sweet potatoes are done, insert a knife into the center of the largest potato. If it slides in easily and the potato feels tender, they are ready. If not, return them to the air fryer for a few more minutes.

Serving Suggestions:

You can serve baked sweet potatoes as-is or use them as a base for other dishes. For a simple side dish, slice open the baked potatoes, add a pat of butter, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also scoop out the soft insides and make mashed sweet potatoes by adding butter, milk, cinnamon, or maple syrup.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Preheating the air fryer is generally not necessary for this recipe.
• For crispier skins, cook at 400°F for 20 to 24 minutes until the outsides are brown and crispy.
• If you prefer softer, fork-tender sweet potatoes, you can precook them in the microwave for about 10 minutes before transferring them to the air fryer.
• For a unique twist, try "smashing" your sweet potatoes instead of mashing them. Cut them into thick slices, boil until fork-tender, smash them gently, and then air fry for a crispy texture.

How to make sweet potato mash

Ingredients:

• 2-4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed, rinsed and dried
• 2-4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup butter (one stick)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup milk, depending on desired consistency
• Salt to taste
• Cinnamon to taste
• Maple syrup to taste

Method:

First, rub the clean potatoes with olive oil. Place the potatoes on the air fryer rack or in the basket, leaving space between them. Don't stack them.

Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes, using tongs to flip halfway. The potatoes will be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside when done. Remove from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.

Next, remove the skins from the sweet potatoes and place the potatoes in a large bowl. Add butter to the potatoes and beat with an electric mixer to combine. Slowly add milk and continue mixing until the desired consistency is reached.

Finally, serve with additional butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, or other desired toppings.

Tips:

• Many people enjoy adding brown sugar, maple syrup, or other sweeteners to their potatoes.
• When you bake sweet potatoes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it brings out their natural sugars, so additional sweeteners are not necessary.
• You can also add butter or cinnamon for an extra burst of flavor!
• If you want to make potato skins, cook the potatoes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 24 minutes until the skins are brown and crispy.

How to make sweet potato mash sweet

How to Make Sweet Potato Mash in an Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• 2-4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed, rinsed and dried
• 2-4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup butter (one stick)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup milk, depending on the desired consistency
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Maple syrup (optional)

Method:

First, rub the clean potatoes with olive oil, then place them on the air fryer rack or in the basket, leaving space between them. Don't stack them. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes, using tongs to flip halfway. The potatoes will be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside when done. Remove from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.

Next, remove the skins from the sweet potatoes and place the potatoes in a large bowl. Add butter to the potatoes and beat with an electric mixer to combine. Slowly add milk and continue mixing until the desired consistency is reached.

Finally, serve with additional butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, or other desired toppings.

Tips:

• You can also add brown sugar, maple syrup, or other sweeteners to your potatoes, but when you bake sweet potatoes at 400 degrees, it brings out their natural sugars.
• You can reheat leftover mashed potatoes in the air fryer by scooping them into the air fryer baking pan and adding a little butter. Reheat at around 300 degrees for 5 minutes.
• If you want to make sweet potato mash with a crispy texture, try this alternative method: peel and slice your sweet potatoes into 1-inch thick slices. Toss them with olive oil and spices such as cumin, cinnamon, garlic powder, or paprika, as well as salt and pepper. Lay the potatoes on the air fryer rack or basket in a single layer and cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Take them out and gently "smash" them with a spatula. Drizzle with melted butter and maple syrup, then cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

How to make sweet potato mash savoury

Ingredients:

• 2 to 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed, rinsed and dried
• 2 to 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup butter (one stick)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup milk, depending on the desired consistency
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Rub clean potatoes with olive oil.
• Place potatoes on an air fryer rack or in a basket, leaving space between them. Do not stack them.
• Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes, using tongs to flip halfway. The potatoes will be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside when done. Remove from the air fryer and cool slightly.
• Remove skins from sweet potatoes and place potatoes in a large bowl.
• Add butter to potatoes and beat with an electric mixer to combine. Slowly add milk and continue mixing until the desired consistency is reached.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

You can also add some savoury ingredients to your sweet potato mash to balance out the sweetness. Try adding some finely chopped fresh parsley and green onion, combined with some sour cream and butter. You could also include some Greek yoghurt, garlic, rosemary and onion powder.

How to make sweet potato mash in an air fryer without milk

Ingredients:

• 2-4 medium sweet potatoes
• 2-4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup butter
• Optional: cinnamon, maple syrup, or other desired toppings

Method:

• Clean the potatoes and dry them thoroughly.
• Prick the potatoes with a fork all over.
• Rub the outside skins with olive oil. You can also sprinkle salt on the outsides if desired.
• Place the potatoes on the air fryer rack or in the basket, leaving space between them. Do not stack them.
• Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 40-50 minutes. Use tongs to flip the potatoes halfway through. The potatoes are done when they are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
• Remove the skins from the potatoes and place the insides in a large bowl.
• Add butter to taste and use an electric mixer to combine. If you prefer a creamier consistency, you can add a dairy-free alternative such as sour cream.
• Serve with additional toppings such as cinnamon or maple syrup, if desired.

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