Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Welcome to the world of truly exceptional **Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes**! Imagine golden-brown cubes, beautifully crisp on the outside, incredibly tender on the inside, and infused with a savory seasoning blend that elevates every bite. This recipe isn’t just a side dish; it’s a game-changer, offering all the deliciousness of oven-roasted sweet potatoes in a fraction of the time. Quick, easy, and undeniably delicious, these air-fried sweet potatoes are guaranteed to become a staple in your kitchen.

From the Author’s Kitchen

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The Veggie Side My Kids Always Eat (and yours will too!)

My roasted sweet potatoes are already a huge hit on my site, and for good reason—they are bursting with flavor and bring pure joy to the table. They were even the dish that helped my own kids discover their love for sweet potatoes. Building on that success, I knew I had to create an air fryer version. Sometimes, the convenience of the air fryer simply can’t be beaten, especially when you want a delicious side without heating up the entire oven. These air fryer sweet potato cubes deliver that same crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside perfection, all with incredible ease and speed!

Why You’ll Love Air Frying Sweet Potatoes

Air frying has revolutionized how we cook, offering a healthier and often faster alternative to traditional frying or roasting. For sweet potatoes, the air fryer is particularly fantastic. It circulates hot air around the potato cubes, creating an irresistible crispy exterior while locking in their natural sweetness and soft, fluffy interior. You get that coveted “roasted” texture much quicker, using less oil, which means a healthier and more efficient cooking experience.

• Speed: Significantly faster than oven roasting, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Crispy Perfection: Achieves an incredibly crisp exterior that’s hard to match.
• Less Oil: Uses minimal oil for a healthier alternative to deep frying.
• Convenience: Easy cleanup and hands-off cooking after initial prep.
• Delicious Flavor: Enhances the natural sweetness of the potatoes with a savory spice blend.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Crafting the perfect batch of air fryer sweet potatoes requires just a few simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that delightful flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each:

Optional Seasoning Variations

While the classic seasoning blend is fantastic, feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas to customize your air fryer sweet potatoes:

• Sweet & Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder along with a dash of cinnamon.
• Herby Delight: Toss with dried rosemary or thyme for an earthy, aromatic touch.
• Maple Glaze: Drizzle with a teaspoon of maple syrup after cooking for extra sweetness.
• Parmesan Garlic: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and extra garlic powder during the last few minutes of cooking.

Mastering Sweet Potato Selection

The quality of your sweet potatoes significantly impacts the final dish. Choosing the right ones ensures maximum flavor and optimal texture. Here’s what to look for:

• Color is Key: Always choose orange or red-skinned sweet potatoes for a naturally sweeter taste and a creamier, moister texture. These varieties caramelize beautifully when cooked.
• Top Varieties: For air frying and roasting, Red Garnet and Jewel sweet potatoes are consistently the best choices. They hold their shape well and develop fantastic flavor.
• Firmness and Appearance: Pick sweet potatoes that are firm to the touch and have unblemished skin. Avoid any that feel soft, squishy, or show signs of mold or sprouts.
• Size Matters: While not strictly necessary, selecting medium-sized sweet potatoes (around 1 pound each) can make peeling and cutting easier and more consistent.

Perfecting Your Sweet Potato Cut

Consistent cutting is vital for even cooking and achieving that desired crisp-tender balance. Aim for uniform ½-inch cubes. Here’s a simple method:

1. Peel for Purity (Optional, but Recommended): While some prefer leaving the skin on for extra fiber and rustic appeal, peeling the sweet potatoes results in a smoother, more uniform texture and allows the seasonings to adhere better.
2. Stabilize and Trim: Start by cutting off both ends of the sweet potato. Then, thinly slice a strip along one side to create a flat base. This provides stability on your cutting board, making the next steps much safer and easier.
3. Slice into Rounds: With the potato stable, slice it into ½-inch thick rounds.
4. Chop into Cubes: Stack a few rounds (if they are roughly the same size) and then chop them into equal ½-inch pieces. The goal is to have all cubes roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.

Pro Tip: Smaller cubes tend to cook faster and achieve a crispier exterior due to more surface area. However, ensure they aren’t too small, or they might dry out. Half-inch cubes are the sweet spot!

Step-by-Step: How To Make Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Making crispy, delicious sweet potatoes in your air fryer is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:

1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Begin by peeling and cubing your sweet potatoes into uniform ½-inch pieces. Remember, consistency in size is key for even cooking. Aim for about 3 cups of cubed sweet potatoes.
2. Season to Perfection: Transfer the cubed sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle generously with olive oil, then sprinkle with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together thoroughly until every single cube is evenly coated in the oil and seasonings.
3. Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If your air fryer model doesn’t have a specific preheat function, simply run it empty for 3-5 minutes at 400°F to get it up to temperature. This step is crucial for achieving immediate crispiness upon contact.
4. Arrange and Air Fry: Carefully place the seasoned sweet potato cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s essential to avoid overcrowding; air needs to circulate freely for crisping. If necessary, cook in multiple batches. Air fry for 12-16 minutes.
5. Shake and Continue: Midway through cooking (around 6-8 minutes), pause the air fryer and give the basket a good shake. This ensures all sides of the sweet potatoes are exposed to the hot air, promoting even browning and crispiness. Return the cubes to an even layer and continue cooking until they are fork-tender on the inside and beautifully crisp with a slight char on the outside.
6. Serve Immediately: Once cooked to your liking, remove the sweet potatoes from the air fryer. Taste and adjust salt if desired. Serve them hot right out of the fryer to enjoy their peak crispiness and flavor!

Common Questions About Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Do I need to peel sweet potatoes before air frying?

Peeling is optional! The skin of sweet potatoes is edible and contains fiber and nutrients. However, for a smoother texture and to ensure seasonings adhere well, peeling is often preferred, especially for this recipe. If you leave the skin on, make sure to scrub the potatoes thoroughly before cutting.

Can I make air fryer sweet potatoes without oil?

While you can air fry sweet potatoes without oil, they won’t achieve the same level of crispiness or flavor. The oil is crucial for creating that golden, crunchy exterior and helping the seasonings stick. Using just 1 tablespoon provides fantastic results without excessive fat.

How do I get my sweet potatoes extra crispy?

To maximize crispiness:

• Ensure potatoes are cut into uniform ½-inch cubes.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed.
• Preheat your air fryer properly.
• Use the recommended amount of oil.
• Shake the basket vigorously halfway through cooking.
• If they’re not crispy enough, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time and check frequently.

Can I use frozen sweet potatoes in the air fryer?

Yes, you can air fry frozen sweet potato cubes! They may require a slightly longer cooking time (around 18-25 minutes) and might not get quite as crispy as fresh ones, but they still make a convenient and tasty side. Toss them directly from frozen with oil and seasonings before air frying.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 2 votes)

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

By
Chelsea Lords

Try these Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes for a fast, crispy treat tossed in perfect seasoning. Just like roasted but quicker and easier!

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
30 minutes

Servings:
4 servings (as a side)

Video Tutorial

Watch a video tutorial on how to make these delicious Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. (Video content originally provided by AdThrive Video Player, please refer to the original source for playback.)

Equipment

• Air fryer (Recommended: 6-quart or larger)

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet potatoes (about 3 cups cubed, see note 1 below for selection tips)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (see note 2 below for importance of oil)
• 1-1/4 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes (refer to note 3 for cutting tips). Measure to ensure you have approximately 3 cups.
2. Place the sweet potato cubes in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Toss well with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until every cube is thoroughly and evenly coated.
3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If your model does not have a dedicated preheat setting, run it empty for 3-5 minutes at 400°F. Spread the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
4. Air fry for 12–16 minutes. Midway through cooking (around 6-8 minutes), shake the basket vigorously to redistribute the cubes and promote even browning. Continue air frying until the sweet potatoes are tender on the inside, with a beautifully crisp and slightly charred exterior. Add more time in 1-2 minute increments if you desire extra crispiness.
5. Once cooked, taste the sweet potatoes and add more salt if preferred. Serve immediately and enjoy right out of the fryer!

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Sweet Potato Selection): For optimal results, select orange or red-skinned sweet potato varieties like Red Garnet or Jewel. Look for firm, unblemished potatoes and avoid any that are soft or wet.

Note 2 (Importance of Oil): Do not be tempted to significantly reduce the amount of oil! The olive oil is crucial for achieving that wonderfully crispy exterior and for the seasonings to properly adhere to the potatoes. Less oil will result in less crispy sweet potatoes.

Note 3 (Cutting Sweet Potatoes): For best flavor and texture, peel the sweet potatoes. Trim off both ends. To create a stable cutting surface, thinly slice a strip from the bottom of the potato. Then, slice into uniform 1/2-inch rounds. Finally, chop these rounds into equal 1/2-inch cubes.

Storage: Store any leftover cooked sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving |
Calories: 132kcal |
Carbohydrates: 24g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 4g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g |
Sodium: 63mg |
Potassium: 402mg |
Fiber: 4g |
Sugar: 5g |
Vitamin A: 16396IU |
Vitamin C: 3mg |
Calcium: 36mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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