You only need 30 minutes and 3 ingredients to make the best Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato that’s crispy on the outside with a perfectly soft center. This recipe is a cinch to make and it’s super versatile!
If you can’t get enough air fryer veggies, you have to try my air fryer broccoli and air fryer sweet potato fries. They’re two of my most loved air fryer recipes!
I’m always looking for ways to make weeknight dinners even easier without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. That’s when I reach for an air fryer recipe like these Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes.
They have the same slow-cooked flavor as sweet potatoes baked in the oven but only take half the time to cook.
This recipe is hands-off, so it’s perfect for a quick lunch, an easy weeknight dinner, or even a sweet treat if you top it with cinnamon and honey butter (highly recommend!).
Don’t have an air fryer? No Problem!
Make roasted sweet potato! Oven-baked sweet potatoes are just as easy and delicious. Simply prep your sweet potatoes according to this recipe. Then, place them in a baking dish and bake in a 400°F oven for 50-60 minutes, or until fork-tender.
You’ll Need Three Simple Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes — Feel free to use any variety of whole sweet potatoes that you prefer. I’m using orange sweet potatoes here, but white or purple sweet potato varieties are just as delicious.
- Olive oil — A little olive oil or avocado oil makes the skin perfectly crispy.
- Salt —I like to use coarse sea salt for extra flavor and texture.
How To Make Baked Sweet Potatoes In The Air Fryer
Prep & season the sweet potatoes:
- First, you’ll want to wash the sweet potatoes well to remove any dirt.
- Pat the sweet potatoes dry before poking several holes in each one.
- Then, coat the sweet potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle on the sea salt.
Air fry until tender:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, if necessary.
- Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket, careful not to overcrowd them.
- Air fry for 25-30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are fork tender, flipping halfway through.
Add toppings & enjoy:
- Once they’re tender, remove the sweet potatoes from the air fryer.
- Let them set for a couple of minutes, then cut the top open and fluff the inside.
- Enjoy with your favorite toppings, or see my topping ideas below!
The Best Sweet Potato Toppings
Flavored butter: A pat of butter and sea salt is *chef’s kiss.* My savory garlic butter or sweet honey butter is such an easy way to add tons of flavor. You can also use vegan butter, seasoned with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Veggies: I love the contrast of cooked veggies like garlic butter mushrooms or wilted greens and fresh veggies like green onions and radishes.
Protein: A stuffed sweet potato loaded with chili or bacon is the ultimate comfort food. If you don’t eat meat, try it with tofu, chickpeas, black beans or cauliflower curry.
Extras: These are the finishing touches and the options are endless! Think sour cream, creamy avocado sauce, salsa, toasted nuts such as pecans, feta cheese, or fresh herbs like chives, rosemary and thyme.
Spices: You can also season your air fryer baked sweet potato with black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder and paprika.
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- Choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the potatoes in a single layer without overcrowding the basket.
- Start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark. If your sweet potato still feels firm in the middle, let it cook for another 5-10 minutes.
How To Store & Reheat Sweet Potatoes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, put the sweet potatoes back in the air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also use the microwave until they are warm.
You can freeze them too. Let them cool completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just reheat them in the oven or air fryer when you’re ready to eat!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer sweet potatoes
Air fryer baked sweet potatoes are such an easy side dish to pair with your favorite protein. I love to serve it with air fryer salmon or air fryer chicken breasts for a healthy, hands-off meal.
Sweet potatoes make the perfect boat to stuff with chili, warm collard greens, or my favorite – tacos stuffed sweet potatoes with homemade guacamole.
You can also scoop out the sweet potato flesh and add it to meal prep bowls, turn it into sweet potato casserole, or make these tuna patties with sweet potato.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweet potatoes have more fiber than regular potatoes. They are rich in vitamins A and C. Sweet potatoes have fewer calories and carbs. They also have a lower glycemic index (GI) than regular potatoes.
I prefer to keep the skin on because it keeps the sweet potatoes moist while they cook and provides extra nutrients. If you don’t like the skin, I’d suggest removing it after the sweet potato cooks for the best texture.
Yes, this is a very important step! Poking multiple holes in the sweet potatoes allows the steam to escape and prevents the potatoes from potentially bursting in the air fryer.
Store your uncooked sweet potatoes in a cool dry place like your pantry for up to 5 weeks or even more if they stay in the right conditions.
Be sure to check out my full collection of easy and quick sweet potato recipes here at Primavera Kitchen! Try my Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Mashed Sweet Potato and Sweet Potato Chicken Soup.
If you enjoy these air fryer baked sweet potatoes, let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave a star rating.
More Air Fryer Sides To Try!
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
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Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Equipment
Instructions
- Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt.
- Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Using a fork, poke several holes all over each sweet potato. This helps them cook evenly and prevents them from bursting.
- Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the coarse sea salt over the sweet potatoes.
- Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat for about 3-5 minutes.
- Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded; they should be in a single layer for even cooking.
- Air fry at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. Flip the sweet potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness.
- After 20 minutes, check the sweet potatoes for tenderness by inserting a fork or knife into the center. If it slides in easily, they are done. If not, continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes and check again.
Tips
- Choose firm sweet potatoes with smooth skin and no soft spots or bruising.
- You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your sweet potatoes.
- Don’t forget to poke holes in the sweet potatoes so the steam can escape as they cook.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Olivia says