Sweet Potato Toast: Air Fryer Magic!

Sweet potato toast is a tasty, healthy, and gluten-free breakfast option. It is easy to make and can be prepared in an air fryer or oven. The basic recipe is vegan, but you can add your choice of toppings to make it vegetarian or vegan. Sweet potato toast is also a cheaper alternative to gluten-free bread.

To make sweet potato toast in an air fryer, start by slicing the pointy ends off the sweet potato. Then, carefully cut the sweet potato into 1/4-inch thick slices. You can keep the skin on the sweet potato if you prefer. Spray an air fryer tray or basket with cooking spray and place the sweet potato slices in a single layer. Sprinkle the slices with salt and black pepper, then air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Flip the slices over and air fry for another 8-10 minutes.

Choosing the right sweet potatoes

Size and Shape:

Look for sweet potatoes that are long and skinny, as these will give you the ideal toast-size pieces. Cylindrical sweet potatoes are also preferable, as they yield neater slices. If you can find sweet potatoes that are both long and cylindrical, go for those!

Variety:

There are several varieties of sweet potatoes available, including Japanese, Beauregard (common in the US), and Red Garnet. You can also use regular red-orange sweet potatoes or opt for purple or white sweet potatoes. Choose the variety that best suits your taste preferences.

Freshness and Quality:

Select firm sweet potatoes that are free from bruises or discolourations. Avoid those that feel soft, as they may be past their prime. Look for sweet potatoes with smooth, intact skin to ensure they stay fresh longer.

Nutritional Content:

Sweet potatoes are a great source of nutrients, including fibre, vitamin A, and potassium. If you're looking to maximise your vitamin A intake, go for sweet potatoes with orange flesh, as they are the richest in beta-carotene.

Preparation:

Before slicing, give your sweet potatoes a good wash, especially if you plan to keep the skin on. You can peel the sweet potatoes if you prefer a smoother texture, but the skin adds extra nutrients and a nice crunchy texture.

When slicing, aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch. This will give your sweet potato toast a good balance between firmness and crispiness. If the slices are too thick, they may not cook evenly, and if they're too thin, they might burn.

In summary, when choosing sweet potatoes for air fryer toast, look for long, skinny, cylindrical sweet potatoes that are fresh and firm, with intact skin. Select the variety that suits your taste, and don't forget to wash and slice them to the appropriate thickness for even cooking.

Preparing the sweet potatoes

First, select the right sweet potatoes. Look for ones that are long and skinny, as these will give you the best "toast-sized" pieces. You can use any variety of sweet potato, such as regular red-orange ones, Japanese sweet potatoes (white), purple sweet potatoes, or the Red Garnet variety. Just make sure they are firm and don't have any bruises or discolourations.

Next, wash and dry the sweet potatoes, especially if you plan to leave the skin on. You can peel the sweet potatoes if you prefer, but the skin contains lots of extra nutrients and texture.

Now it's time to cut the sweet potatoes. For sweet potato toast, carefully cut off the pointy ends, then slice the sweet potato into 1/4-inch thick pieces. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to get even slices. Try to get them as uniformly thick as possible so they cook evenly.

Once your sweet potatoes are sliced, it's time to cook them. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray or coat the sweet potato slices with a small amount of oil—this will add flavour and help them crisp up. Just be careful not to use too much, as it can make them greasy or burnt. Place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook them in batches.

Air fry the sweet potato slices for about 6 minutes, then flip them and air fry for another 5-6 minutes. The total cooking time will be around 12-18 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your slices. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn, and adjust the timing as needed.

Your sweet potato toasts are now ready to be topped with your favourite sweet or savoury toppings!

Cooking the sweet potatoes

The first step in making sweet potato toast is to select a suitable sweet potato. Look for one that is straight and cylindrical, as this will make it easier to cut neat slices. Try to choose the largest sweet potato you can find, as this will provide more surface area for toppings.

Once you have selected your sweet potato, it's time to start preparing it. You can choose to peel the sweet potato or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. If you do decide to peel it, use a peeler, as this will be easier than using a knife. Either way, give the sweet potato a good wash to remove any dirt or debris.

Next, you'll need to cut the sweet potato into slices. Aim for a thickness of around 1/4 inch, as this will ensure the sweet potato cooks evenly and has a good balance between firmness and crispiness. If the slices are too thick, they may not cook evenly, and if they are too thin, they may burn and become brittle.

After slicing, it's a good idea to coat the sweet potato slices lightly in oil. This will add more flavour and help them to crisp up. You can use a cooking spray or brush the oil directly onto the slices. Just be sure to use a non-aerosol spray, as aerosol sprays may damage your air fryer basket. Avocado oil or olive oil are great options.

Now it's time to season the sweet potato slices. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with your favourite spices and seasonings. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, and curry powder. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the combination that you like best!

Once your sweet potato slices are prepared, it's almost time to start cooking. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, don't worry; you can still cook the sweet potatoes without preheating. Just keep in mind that it may take a couple of extra minutes to get them perfectly roasted.

Place the sweet potato slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the slices in multiple batches. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the slices halfway through. If you like your sweet potatoes more crunchy, add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.

Keep an eye on the sweet potato slices, as every air fryer is different, and the cooking time may vary. You'll know they're done when they are lightly browned and have a crispy exterior with a tender interior. Remove them from the air fryer, and they're ready to be enjoyed!

Topping ideas

There are endless possibilities for toppings for sweet potato toast, whether you're looking for something sweet or savoury. Here are some ideas:

Sweet Topping Ideas:

• Peanut butter and banana, with a drizzle of honey
• Nutella and chopped hazelnuts
• Yogurt with fresh fruit and maple syrup
• Creamy peanut butter with sliced bananas and a sprinkle of cinnamon
• A smear of almond butter with chopped dates
• Honey
• Cinnamon
• Maple syrup

Savoury Topping Ideas:

• Avocado and Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
• Garlic herb cream cheese with olives
• Sautéed mushrooms and thyme
• Fried egg with Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Ricotta and blueberries or raspberries
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Cream cheese and jam
• Tahini, fresh figs, and bacon
• Sunflower seed butter and Marionberry jam
• Pesto sauce with smoked salmon, cucumber slices, and fresh tomato
• Curried sweet potato mash
• Roasted sweet potatoes with sweet miso-scallion butter
• Garlic Parmesan sweet potatoes
• Chaat: drizzle with cilantro chutney and sweet tamarind chutney
• Tacos: combine with chickpeas
• Burrito bowl: add to a bowl with rice, beans, and corn
• Sweet potato tikkis: mash the roasted sweet potatoes and then mix with oats and spices
• Salads: add to a salad with veggies or with quinoa
• Rice bowls: add to a rice bowl with veggies

Reheating and storing

You can make sweet potato toasts ahead of time and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, put them in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for a couple of minutes. You can also use a warm skillet with a little oil.

If you want to freeze your sweet potato toasts, place them in a single layer on a sheet of freezer paper or parchment paper and freeze overnight. The next day, put them in a freezer bag with the air pressed out, or use a vacuum-sealed freezer bag.

When reheating frozen sweet potato toasts, use the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for a couple of minutes, or until warmed through and crispy. You can also use a warm skillet with a little oil.

If you're reheating sweet potato cubes, the Gourmia brand air fryer has a reheat button that cooks at 300°F for 15 minutes. Simply place the cubes in a single layer and press the button.

Frequently asked questions