These perfectly cooked air fryer sweet potatoes have that crispy texture on the outside with fully cooked and soft insides, like being baked in the oven but faster!
We all know how well the air fryer cooks French fries -to perfection, right? What if I told you this mighty small appliance is also perfect for baking sweet potatoes too!
One of my family’s favorite ways to eat sweet potatoes is baked and topped with butter, a light sprinkle of brown sugar, and cinnamon. It’s savory, sweet, and the MVP to complete a meal.
I can cook them faster and still achieve that crispy skin we love, thanks to the air fryer. That’s right, those browned exteriors and tender orange centers without heating the entire house.
Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?
Sweet potatoes are one of the most nutritionally dense foods to include in your diet. They’re packed with vitamins A and C, and each medium potato provides roughly 26 grams of complex carbohydrates and 4 grams of fiber to keep you energized and feeling full.
Aside from their nutritional benefits, these orange gems are similar to regular potatoes in being incredibly versatile to prepare and serve. Whether it’s in a sweet potato salad, in a breakfast hash, or an addition to your favorite soup, they have a sweet and savory flavor that pairs well with most seasonings and flavors.
And don’t be deceived. Loaded potatoes can be a perfectly healthy and balanced meal with the right combination of yummy toppings. But more details on serving baked sweet potatoes later; first, let’s get these ready to cook.
Prepping Sweet Potatoes for the Air Fryer
No matter how you prepare sweet potatoes, the skins should always be rinsed and patted dry before cooking. This will help remove any dirt and debris from the skin.
Make sure to dry them off well. You don’t want them steaming in the air-fryer. Crispy golden skins are the goal.
What are the Best Sweet Potatoes for Air-frying
When shopping for sweet potatoes to air fry or bake, you want to select more elongated, skinnier potatoes. These will bake evenly and cook through quickly. Rounder sweet potatoes tend to take more time and cook unevenly.
How to Air Fry a Sweet Potato
Making sweet potatoes in the air fryer is very similar to making them in the oven. But the air fryer won’t heat up the entire house, and the skins still get that caramelized flavor that’s just right.
Wash
Gently scrub and rinse the sweet potatoes. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Prep
Using a fork, prick the skin of each potato, and rub with olive oil.
Fry
Set the air fryer to 400F. Place the potatoes in the basket and air fry for 35 to 45 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender through the center.
Load up
Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and rest for 5 minutes before serving. Slice the potatoes through the center and load up with all your favorite toppings.
More Ways to Cook a Sweet Potato
Instant Pot | Microwave | Crockpot | Oven-Baked
Serving Sweet Potatoes from the Air Fryer
Speaking of, you can top air fryer sweet potatoes any way you would bake white or sweet potatoes. Below are a few ideas that have passed the test at my house and could be stand-alone meals with a side salad.
- Southwest: black beans, corn, cheese, avocado, and salsa
- Buffalo Chicken: shredded buffalo chicken, cheese, and a drizzle of Ranch dressing
- Sweet & Savory: butter, salt, brown sugar, and cinnamon
- Chili Loaded: Paleo chili with sour cream and diced avocado
- BBQ: shredded slow cooker pork with a drizzle of BBQ sauce, diced red onion, shredded Cheddar cheese.
Storing Baked Sweet Potatoes
Transfer leftovers cooked potatoes to an airtight container or wrap tightly with foil and transfer to the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, but the texture will be slightly mushier once defrosted.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt, optional
Instructions
- Gently scrub and rinse the sweet potatoes with warm water. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Using a fork, prick the skin of each potato, and rub with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, if desired.
- Set the air fryer to 400F. Place the potatoes in the basket and air fry for 35 to 45 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender through the center.
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