Air fryer baked sweet potatoes are an easy and delicious way to enjoy a healthy snack or side dish. They come out soft and sweet on the inside with a crispy skin on the outside—like a perfect mix of baked and roasted potatoes! Plus, they cook way faster than in the air fryer, especially if you microwave them first. Just poke some holes in the potatoes, rub them with a little oil, and let the air fryer do its magic. Top them with butter, cinnamon, or even marshmallows for extra yum!
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Why Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes?
Air fryer sweet potatoes are a total game-changer! They’re healthy, incredibly easy to make, and perfect for loading up with all your favorite toppings. Whether you go sweet with butter, cinnamon, and sugar or savory with cumin and chili powder, the options are endless. Plus, keeping the skin on gives you extra fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium—making them as nutritious as they are delicious. And if you love sweet potatoes as much as I do, you’ve got to try Sweet Potato Fritters and Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, scrubbed, rinsed, and patted dry.
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, green onions, bacon bits or marshmallows.
Instructions:
- Prep the Sweet Potatoes: Start by washing the sweet potatoes thoroughly. You can use a brush to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a towel to make sure they cook evenly.
- Pierce the Potatoes: Use a fork to pierce the sweet potatoes several times on each side. This allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing them from bursting.
- Coat with Olive Oil: Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil, ensuring they’re evenly coated. This will help them crisp up in the air fryer. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper for extra flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the sweet potatoes cook evenly from the start.
- Air Fry the Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re not overlapping to ensure even cooking. Air fry at 380°F for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The sweet potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
- Serve: Once they’re cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Let them cool for a few minutes before cutting them open. Fluff the inside with a fork, and add any of your favorite toppings, such as a pat of butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar, or even some marshmallows for a festive treat.
Tips and Substitutions
Although air fryer sweet potatoes are almost effortless, there are always tips and tricks you can use to level up your game:
- Get sweet potatoes that are similar in size so that they can bake evenly. Don’t be tricked into thinking that round and bulbous potatoes will make a more tender and creamy dish. Additionally, avoid potatoes with too many wrinkles and cracks. Instead, aim for soft skin, and you’ll be surprised by the results.
- Pierce potatoes at least 5-6 times before placing them in the air fryer to prevent them from exploding.
- Oil Substitute – Instead of olive oil, use melted butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil for different flavors and textures.
- Dairy-Free Option – Replace butter with vegan butter, ghee, or a drizzle of tahini for a creamy, dairy-free topping.
Variations
The only necessary equipment for this delicious side dish is an air fryer. I use a Cuisinart Air fryer oven. You can easily find tons of models in the market; I’m sure they’ll do the job just fine. However, if you currently don’t own an air fryer, you can still enjoy your delicious sweet potatoes with variations:
- Oven – If you opt for baking your sweet potatoes in the oven, 425 F for 45-50 minutes on a baking sheet will do. It won’t diminish the taste, and it’ll certainly leave you begging for more.
- Baked in foil – Another alternative is baking your sweet potatoes wrapped individually in foil. This will add a softer, creamy flavor and keep the baked potatoes hot for longer once they come out.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer sweet baked potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be served in many delicious ways! For a simple side, top them with butter, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. For a savory dish, add sour cream, shredded cheese, or a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits. You can also turn them into a hearty meal by stuffing them with black beans, salsa, and avocado; or shredded chicken and BBQ sauce for a smoky, satisfying dish.
Serve them with a side of Homemade Chipotle dipping sauce.
For a calorie-free option, you can add cinnamon, pumpkin spice, cumin, and chili powder.
More Air fryer potato recipes you’ll love
- Blooming Sweet Potato
- Homemade Crispy Sweet Potato Chips
- Air Fryer Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
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Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes scrubbed, rinsed, and patted dry.
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings
- Optional toppings: butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, bacon bits or marshmallows
Instructions
- Prep the Sweet Potatoes: Start by washing the sweet potatoes thoroughly. You can use a brush to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a towel to make sure they cook evenly.
- Pierce the Potatoes: Use a fork to pierce the sweet potatoes several times on each side. This allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing them from bursting.
- Microwave Option (for quicker cooking): For an even faster cooking time, you can microwave the sweet potatoes first! Place the pierced sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and microwave them on high for 5-7 minutes, depending on their size. This step softens the potatoes, reducing the air frying time. After microwaving, proceed to the next steps.
- Coat with Olive Oil: Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil, ensuring they’re evenly coated. This will help them crisp up in the air fryer. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper for extra flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (195°C) for 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the sweet potatoes cook evenly from the start.
- Air Fry the Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re not overlapping to ensure even cooking. Air fry at 390°F for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The sweet potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.With microwave option: Air fry at 390°F for 15-20 minutes (if you’ve microwaved them), flipping halfway through the cooking time. The sweet potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
- Serve: Once they’re cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Let them cool for a few minutes before cutting them open. Fluff the inside with a fork, and add any of your favorite toppings, such as a pat of butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar, or even some marshmallows for a festive treat.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Microwaving first cuts down on air fryer time and helps achieve a quicker meal when you’re in a rush.
- For an even crispier skin, you can skip the olive oil rub and cook the sweet potatoes directly in the air fryer for a more roasted texture.
- If you’re making multiple potatoes, you might need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your sweet potatoes. Smaller ones may cook faster, so keep an eye on them!
- Experiment with toppings like sour cream and chives for a savory twist or maple syrup and nuts for a more indulgent treat.
Thank you for sharing. Much healthier way to cook rather that the Microwave. Air fryer sweet potatoes are our family faves.