Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to make sweet potato wedges. They are healthier than deep-fried wedges, as they use less oil, and they are also quicker to cook. To make sweet potato wedges in an air fryer, you will need sweet potatoes, oil, and seasoning. First, cut the sweet potatoes into wedges, then toss them in oil and seasoning. Next, preheat your air fryer to around 350-390°F. Place the wedges in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and cook for around 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Finally, remove the wedges from the air fryer, season to taste, and enjoy!

Choosing the right sweet potatoes

Select medium to small sweet potatoes: Look for sweet potatoes that are not too long. This way, you can use the full length of the potato as the width of your wedges. Remember that the potatoes will shrink slightly during cooking, so choose ones that are slightly longer than your desired wedge length.

Smooth skin and firm texture: Opt for sweet potatoes with smooth, unbruised skin. They should feel firm to the touch, indicating freshness. Avoid potatoes with wrinkles, soft spots, or sprouting ends.

Even size and thickness: For even cooking, choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size and thickness. This will ensure that all your wedges cook at the same rate, preventing overcooked or undercooked pieces.

Heavy for their size: When selecting sweet potatoes, go for those that feel heavy for their size. This is a good indicator of their moisture content; heavier potatoes tend to have a higher moisture content, resulting in juicier and more flavourful wedges.

Bright orange colour: The brighter the colour of the sweet potato's flesh, the higher the concentration of beta-carotene, which is a beneficial antioxidant. Not only will this make your wedges more nutritious, but it will also enhance their vibrant colour.

Personal preference for skin: You can choose to peel your sweet potatoes or leave the skin on. Leaving the skin on adds texture and boosts the fibre content of your wedges. However, peeled sweet potatoes can also work well and provide a smoother finish.

Once you've selected the perfect sweet potatoes, follow the steps outlined in the previous response to cut, season, and cook your wedges to perfection in your air fryer!

Preparing the sweet potatoes

Selecting and Cleaning the Sweet Potatoes:

Start by choosing two medium-sized sweet potatoes that are not too long. Look for potatoes with smooth skin that feel heavy for their size. Give them a good wash and scrub to remove any dirt. You can decide whether to peel the sweet potatoes or leave the skin on—peeling will give you a crispier texture, while leaving the skin on adds a bit more fibre.

Cutting the Sweet Potatoes:

To cut your sweet potatoes into wedges, first, slice off the skinny ends. Then, cut the potato in half lengthwise. Place the cut side down on your cutting board and carefully slice at an angle to create wedges. You can make these wedges as thin or thick as you like, but keep in mind that thinner wedges will result in crispier fries. Aim for a thickness between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch.

Soaking the Sweet Potatoes (Optional):

If you want to remove excess starch from your sweet potatoes to make them extra crispy, you can soak them in a bowl of cold water for 30-60 minutes. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes thoroughly dry with paper towels before moving on to the next step.

Seasoning the Sweet Potatoes:

Place your sweet potato wedges in a medium or large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil, avocado oil, or another neutral cooking oil of your choice. Add your desired spices and seasonings, and toss the wedges to coat them evenly. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try a combination of garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, onion powder, and garlic powder. For a cheesy twist, add some parmesan cheese to the mix.

Arranging the Wedges in the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Spread the seasoned sweet potato wedges in a single layer along the bottom of the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wedges in multiple batches.

Seasoning the wedges

Choosing the Right Oil:

Start by selecting a suitable oil for coating your sweet potato wedges. You can use a variety of oils, including olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or grape seed oil. Choose an oil that complements the other ingredients and enhances the overall flavour.

Preparing the Spices:

The spice blend you create will add a punch of flavour to your wedges. A simple blend of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, onion powder, and garlic powder will result in a well-seasoned dish. You can adjust the quantities of each spice to suit your taste preferences. For a spicier kick, add more cayenne pepper. If you prefer a sweeter profile, increase the cinnamon. Play around with the ratios to create your signature blend.

Coating the Wedges:

Once you have prepared your sweet potato wedges and spice blend, it's time to coat the wedges evenly. Pour a generous amount of oil over the wedges and toss them to ensure each piece is well coated. Then, sprinkle your custom spice blend over the oiled wedges and toss again until each piece is evenly coated with the spice mixture. Make sure you perform this step gently to avoid breaking the wedges.

Air Frying Tips:

When arranging the wedges in the air fryer basket, ensure they are not overlapping. It's crucial that the wedges have enough space to cook evenly and achieve that desirable crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the wedges in multiple batches. Don't overcrowd the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and a steamed rather than crispy texture.

Final Touches:

Once your wedges are cooked to a golden crisp, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Taste one of the wedges and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. You can also sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro over the wedges for added flavour and a pop of colour.

Cooking the wedges

Now that you have prepared your sweet potatoes and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the wedges! Place the wedges into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. It's important not to overcrowd the basket as this can create a steaming effect instead of the desired crispiness. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook the wedges in multiple batches.

For even cooking, give the basket a shake or use tongs to turn the wedges halfway through the cooking process. This is because the heat is stronger at the bottom of the air fryer than at the top.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your wedges and your desired crispiness. For example, thinner wedges will be crispier and may take less time to cook. As a guide, wedges that are around 1/4-inch thick will take around 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer set to 375°F. However, it's a good idea to keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Once the wedges are fork-tender and crispy on the edges, they are ready to be taken out of the air fryer. If they need a little longer, cook them in 2-5 minute increments until they reach the desired level of doneness.

Seasoning and Serving the Wedges

Once cooked, season the wedges with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro for added flavour. You can also serve them with a dipping sauce such as roasted garlic aioli, buffalo ranch, or homemade ranch dressing.

Serving suggestions

These sweet potato wedges are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of mains. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Turkey meatballs
• Burger bowls
• Kale salads
• Low-carb air fryer chicken nuggets
• Healthy grilled chicken nuggets
• Oven-baked chicken tenders
• Turkey burgers
• Barbecue tofu chilli
• Tempeh tacos
• Any sandwich, light salad or protein
• As a snack with your favourite dipping sauce

For an extra special treat, serve with a sriracha 'mayo' dipping sauce, made with two parts plain Greek yoghurt, one part mayonnaise and half a teaspoon of sriracha.

If you're looking for a sweet treat, try sprinkling the wedges with cinnamon or pumpkin spice.

Frequently asked questions