Looking for the best way to make baked sweet potatoes? Using an air fryer produces the perfect sweet and fluffy inside every time.
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With just a few simple ingredients and a straightforward method, you can have perfectly cooked sweet potatoes in no time. Whether you love them as sweet potato fries, wedges, or cubes, the air fryer ensures they come out golden brown and delicious every time.
I like to cook my sweet potatoes in the air fryer whole because there's little prep work. The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation creates a crisp exterior while maintaining the sweet potato's natural sweetness and fluffy texture inside. Plus, they take less time in an air fryer compared to baking in the oven.
Table of Contents
- Reasons to Love
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Variations
- Tips
- Serving suggestions
- Storage
- FAQs
- Related Recipes
Reasons to Love
- Quick and easy preparation. Simply wash and dry the sweet potatoes, then coat them lightly with oil and seasonings. In just a matter of minutes in an air fryer, you'll have the perfect side dish. The potatoes come out crispy on the outside and a tender interior. You don't even need to cut the sweet potatoes before cooking.
- Consistent results every time. Unlike traditional ovens where cooking times may vary, an air fryer ensures even cooking throughout. This means you can expect perfectly baked style sweet potatoes every single time. The hot air circulation in the air fryer helps to cook the sweet potatoes evenly, resulting in a uniform texture and doneness.
- Easy cleanup. Most air fryer baskets and trays are non-stick, making them easy to clean with just a gentle scrub or rinse.
Ingredients
The great thing about this air fryer roasted sweet potato recipe is that you'll only need five simple ingredients. You should have no trouble finding everything you need.
Here's what you'll need to make the air fryer recipe:
- sweet potatoes
- fresh thyme
- unsalted butter
- olive oil, or avocado oil
- salt
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
To start, preheat the air fryer to 370°F. Then gather all of your necessary ingredients and tools.
In a bowl, soak fresh sprigs of thyme in olive oil for at least 15 minutes. Set aside.
Using a sturdy fork, prick the skin of the sweet potatoes all over. Place sweet potatoes in a bowl. Lightly brush with thyme-infused olive oil.
Spread soaked sprigs of thyme on the Air Fryer tray. Place the sweet potatoes on thyme. Lightly season with salt.
Air Fry sweet potatoes for 35 to 40 minutes or until fork tender on the thickest part. Turn 90 degrees after every 10 minutes for even cooking.
Cut sweet potatoes in half. Spread one teaspoon of butter on each half. Serve with butter on top.
Hint: Lightly coating the sweet potatoes with a thin layer of oil before air frying promotes golden, crispy skin. It also helps the seasonings stick, ensuring a flavorful bite in every forkful.
Variations
You may want to get creative now that you have the basic recipe. Here are some easy ways to change up your air fried sweet potato:
- Seasoning - sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar for a touch of sweetness. Or try a savory twist with garlic powder and paprika?
- Tangy - squeeze some fresh lime juice over your cooked sweet potatoes or top them with a dollop of Greek yogurt mixed with lime zest.
- Nutty - sprinkle crushed nuts like pecans or almonds over them for an extra layer of texture
- Sweet - drizzle melted dark chocolate over them for a delightful dessert treat.
You can also try making cheesy loaded twice-baked potatoes in an air fryer. Air fryer canned potatoes are delicious, too.
Tips
Top tip: To prevent undercooking or overcooking your air-fried sweet potatoes, it's important to keep an eye on them during the cooking process. After about 10 minutes of cooking, check their doneness by piercing them with a fork. They should be tender but not mushy.
- Choose sweet potatoes that are uniform in size to ensure they cook evenly. This will help prevent some potatoes from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
- It's crucial to prick the sweet potatoes with a fork before air frying them. This allows steam to escape during cooking and prevents potential explosions
Serving suggestions
Sweet potatoes make a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal. Whether you're looking for a tasty side dish or a satisfying main course, there are plenty of ways to enjoy these flavorful spuds.
You can serve air fryer sweet potatoes alongside your favorite protein, such as air fryer chicken legs or baked fish. Add roasted Brussels sprouts or a fresh berry salad to create a well-rounded and wholesome meal.
For those who prefer vegetarian or vegan options, air-fried sweet potatoes can take center stage as the main course. Top them with some sautéed veggies, avocado slices, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream for added creaminess. You can also incorporate seasonal fruits like pomegranate seeds or diced apples for a pop of freshness and color.
Storage
After air frying sweet potatoes, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and flavor. Once they have cooled down, transfer the baked sweet potatoes to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the container or bag before sealing it. This will help prevent the sweet potatoes from becoming soggy or stale.
You can also store air fryer baked sweet potatoes in the refrigerator if you plan on consuming them within a few days. Simply place them in a food storage container and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy them. When reheating, you can either pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up again or simply microwave them for a quick and easy meal or snack. Proper storage will help keep your air fryer baked sweet potatoes fresh and delicious for longer periods of time.
FAQs
Yes, you can definitely use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes in an air fryer. However, keep in mind that the cooking time and temperature may vary slightly.
Allow your leftover air fried sweet potatoes to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or resealable bag. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place them back into the air fryer for a few minutes until they are heated through and crispy again.
Absolutely! Besides baked or fried sweet potatoes, you can also try making mashed sweet potato balls, stuffed sweet potato skins, or even roasted cinnamon-sugar coated sweet potato cubes using your air fryer. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy exploring!
Related Recipes
Want to make more easy side dishes for one or two people in your air fryer? Here are a few recipes you can try:
- Potato wedges in an air fryer come out perfect every time.
- Air fryer home fries are a classic addition to breakfast.
- Maple glazed carrots is a delicious addition to any main dish.
- Air fryer smashed potatoes are fun to make and eat.
- Bacon wrapped cabbage wedges is a tasty flavor combination.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 10 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 medium sweet potatoes 2 to 3 inches in diameter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat Air Fryer "Bake" function at 370°F (188°C). Set at 40 minutes.
- In a bowl, soak fresh sprigs of thyme in olive oil for at least 15 minutes. Set aside.
- Using a sturdy fork, prick the skin of the sweet potatoes all over.
- Place sweet potatoes in a bowl. Lightly brush with thyme-infused olive oil.
- Spread soaked sprigs of thyme on the Air Fryer tray. Place sweet potatoes on thyme. Lightly season with salt.
- Slowly insert Air Fryer tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch. Using the "bake" function, Air Fry sweet potatoes for 35 to 40 minutes or until fork tender on the thickest part.
- Turn 90 degrees after every 10 minutes for even cooking.
- Cut in half. Spread one teaspoon of butter on each half. Serve with butter on top.
Emily Lahm says
What is the temperature and the time needed to make these.
Lisa MarcAurele says
Everything is in the recipe card. The information you are looking for is in the 1st step: Pre-heat Air Fryer “Bake” function at 370°F (188°C). Set at 40 minutes.
Ella says
I mostly eat this as a snack. First time trying it in the air fryer. The aroma in the kitchen is amazing, and they taste fantastic. Loved it!
Alicia says
So good! Super easy to make and they came out perfect. Added some chives and a bit of greek yogurt and it taste amazing! Will be making this more often!
Dee says
I made this with both sweet potatoes and baby potatoes and I loved it! It's such a simple and quick recipe but the flavors really pack a punch! Definitely making this again!
Marie says
I drizzled melted dark chocolate over sweet potatoes and it was so delicious. The perfect combination of sweet and fluffy with a crispy exterior. The air fryer truly brings out the best in these sweet treats!
Jennifer says
I loved how quick and easy these were to make! I'd always been turning the food when it told me to but I took your advice and didn't and they turned out great!