Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Air fryer sweet potatoes bake whole in about 38 minutes with a crisp skin and a soft, caramelized center, or cook as cubes in just 14 minutes. Both methods use the same temperature and only a little oil. This recipe gives times for whole, halved, large and cubed sweet potatoes.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 48min
- Prep time
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 230kcal
Why the air fryer works for sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are denser and sweeter than white potatoes, and the sugars in them caramelize when the skin and cut faces reach about 350 °F. The air fryer gets there quickly with circulating air, so the skin turns crisp and chewy while the flesh softens into a creamy, sweet purée. The oven needs about 20 minutes longer for the same result.
A pierced skin lets steam escape, and a thin coat of oil helps the skin brown instead of drying out. Cut surfaces brown most deeply, which is why halves and cubes taste sweeter than whole potatoes.
How to make sweet potatoes in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Wash and dry Scrub the sweet potatoes well under running water and dry them completely. Cut off any thin tapered tips, since they burn before the rest is done.
- Pierce and oil Poke each potato 5–6 times with a fork so steam can escape. Rub with the oil, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for .
- Cook Place the potatoes in the basket with space between them. Cook for , turning them over after .
- Check and rest Squeeze one gently with a towel. It should feel soft all the way through, and a fork should slide into the center. If not, cook for more. Rest for before cutting open.
Times and temperatures
| Sweet Potatoes | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole, medium (8 oz)Turn after 20 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 35–40 min |
| Whole, large (12 oz) | 400 °F (200 °C) | 45–50 min |
| Halved, cut side up | 400 °F (200 °C) | 20–25 min |
| Cubed, 1 inchShake halfway | 400 °F (200 °C) | 12–15 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Thanksgiving in the air fryer – a game plan
Cubed sweet potatoes
For cubes, peel 1½ lb sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, ¾ tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp smoked paprika. Cook at 400 °F for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket after 6 minutes, until the edges are browned and a fork pierces the cubes easily. They are ready for grain bowls, salads and a quick side for weeknight dinner.
Tips
- Choose similar sizes. Potatoes of the same thickness finish together. A thin potato can be done 10 minutes before a thick one.
- Cut the tips. The thin ends burn before the center is cooked. Trim them or tuck them under.
- Let them rest. The sugars set and the flesh thickens during the 5-minute rest, which also makes the potatoes easier to handle.
What to serve with sweet potatoes
Split sweet potatoes make a good side for chicken breast or pork chops. Top them with butter, cinnamon and a little brown sugar for Thanksgiving, or with black beans and cilantro for a vegetarian dinner. For thinner cuts, see sweet potato fries.
Storing and reheating
Store cooled sweet potatoes in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat whole potatoes in the air fryer at 350 °F for 8–10 minutes, or cubes for 3–4 minutes, until hot throughout. Cooked flesh can also be mashed and frozen for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Brown sugar and cinnamon: Mix 1 tbsp brown sugar and ½ tsp cinnamon into the cubes for the last 3 minutes.
- Savory: Season cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne.
- Maple butter: Mash 2 tbsp softened butter with 1 tsp maple syrup and melt it over the split potatoes (not dairy-free).
- Plantains: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer plantains.
If it does not turn out right
- The skin is wrinkled but the inside is firm
- The potatoes were thicker than medium. Add 5–10 minutes at 400 °F and test again. Sweet potatoes vary a lot in thickness, so size matters more than weight.
- Sticky syrup burns on the basket
- The natural sugars leak out as the potatoes cook. Rub the skins with oil before cooking and wipe the basket clean once it has cooled.
- The cubes are mushy
- The pieces were too small or the basket overfilled. Cut 1-inch cubes, use one layer and shake halfway through.
Questions and answers
How long do sweet potatoes take in the air fryer?
Whole medium sweet potatoes take 35–40 minutes at 400 °F, large ones 45–50 minutes, halves 20–25 minutes and 1-inch cubes 12–15 minutes.
Do I need to cut sweet potatoes before air frying?
No. Whole potatoes bake well, but cutting them in half cuts the time by about half and gives a deeper caramelized face.
What temperature should I use for sweet potatoes?
400 °F suits whole potatoes and cubes. For sweet potato fries or thin slices, 380 °F stops the sugars from burning.
Are air fryer sweet potatoes better than oven-baked?
They cook faster, 38 minutes against 50–60, and the skin crisps up more. The oven is a better choice for a large batch.
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