Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes are baked whole in 30-45 minutes with just a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. They come out with crispy skins and a smooth and creamy inside! This recipe is entirely hands off and has minimal preparation.
Baked sweet potatoes are a favorite food of ours. They're filled with fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, and protein.
We also can't get enough of mashed sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot, oven baked oregano sweet potatoes, and sauteed chickpea sweet potato stir fry on the stovetop.
Since they are a naturally sweet food, roasting them brings out this sweetness. Baked sweet potatoes in air fryers are especially delicious and sweet.
The air fryer is amazing at evenly toasting, roasting, and frying foods using less (or even no) oil. They are convenient for small batch foods, hotel living, vacations, and for cutting down on cooking times. Cooking time is generally less than in the oven, making them great for when you want a meal done quick!
But I think the biggest question that so many of us have is, is an air fryer healthy?
Compared to traditional deep frying, air frying uses much less oil. This makes them a healthier option. Depending on your recipe, air fryers might use less oil than oven baked recipes. So the verdict is that yes, when compared to deep frying methods, the air fryer is healthier.
When compared to the oven, it's not about making a recipe healthier- it's about making it faster.
Ingredients
Whole sweet potatoes only need salt, pepper, and a little bit of oil. I prefer extra virgin olive oil in all of my cooking, but any oil will do fine.
As mentioned before, the oil is optional. I like it because it gives the skin a bit of crispiness.
Cook Time
At 400 degrees Fahrenheit, whole sweet potatoes should air fry for:
small potatoes: 30 minutes
medium potatoes: 40 minutes
large potatoes: 50 minutes
These times are approximate, as different air fryer brands may vary. Make sure to check the potatoes by piercing them with a fork 5-10 minutes before the full cook times above.
Step-By-Step Directions
Air frying whole sweet potatoes is simple, hands off, and is done in 3 steps.
Step 1: Wash and scrub any dirt off the potatoes and dry them. You should begin preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204C) if yours requires this step.
Step 2: Rub them with a bit of olive oil (if using). You can also use a spray oil. Then rub with salt and pepper if desired.
Step 3: Place in the air fryer and set the time to 40 minutes. If not using medium-sized potatoes, check the section above for the adjusted cook times. When the "turn food" indicator chimes, turn the potatoes. If you're machine doesn't have this indicator, turn them halfway through. Check them with 5 minutes left on the time. If a fork easily pierces the thickest potato, remove to serving dish using tongs. If not done, close the lid and let continue air frying in 2 minute increments until cooked through.
When ready to serve, be careful cutting the sweet potato. The insides will be very hot!
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
There isn't exactly a "best" sweet potato for use in the air fryer. The most common type of sweet potato found in American grocery stores is the Beauregard. This potato has purplish-red skin and a bright orange flesh. They are especially sweet. The second most common sweet potato is the jewel, which has a little more moisture in it's flesh. Both are a great all purpose sweet potato and perfect for air frying.
Air frying sweet potatoes is simple. You can leave them whole, cut them into wedges or cubes, or make sweet potato fries. Regardless of the cut, the air frying process is the same.
Cut or slice the potatoes as you desire. Rub with a little bit or oil (or spray), salt, pepper, and any herbs. Set the air fryer for the appropriate time and temperature, turning them halfway through.
For cubes, fries, or wedges, you can simply shake the basket instead of turning them.
Sweet potatoes are best in the air fryer at 400 degrees.
Yes, sweet potatoes can be air fried without oil. Because we are so accustomed to roasting and frying vegetables and other foods in oil, this may take getting used to. Oil-free potatoes will not have as crispy skin as an oil-rubbed sweet potato. If not using oil, make sure to spray the air fryer basket with oil prior to cooking so the potatoes don't stick.
Sweet potatoes are fantastic served with just a little butter or seasoning, like salt and pepper.
Seasoning Options:
pepper
cinnamon
oregano
paprika
red pepper
Sweetening Options:
butter
maple syrup
brown sugar
honey
We've also made loaded sweet potatoes topped with black beans, corn, avocado, cilantro and sour cream. They are delicious topped with fried eggs and avocado, too.
Sweet potatoes keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Air fried sweet potatoes are also great for meal prepping lunches throughout the week.
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Recipe
Sweet Potatoes Recipe (Air Fryer)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 sweet potatoes (see notes on sizing and cook times)
- olive oil (spray or liquid)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Scrub sweet potatoes clean and dry them. Begin preheating the air fryer to 400° F (204°C).
- Rub or spray lightly with olive oil, then salt and pepper, if using.
- Place in the air fryer in a single layer and set the time to 40 minutes. Press start.
- Turn potatoes half way or when the "turn food" indicator chimes. Check for doneness at the 35 minute mark by poking the thickest potato with a fork. If the fork easily pierces the potato, stop the air fryer and remove the potatoes with tongs. If not done, close the lid and let continue to fry until time is complete.
- Remove potatoes carefully with tongs. Slice the potatoes open and top with butter or your favorite toppings.
J Jaramillo
Thank you for the great recipe and also the cooking tips. I washed my potatoes, and made sure they were dry. Then I oiled them up and seasoned them up. Put them in the air fryer and 40 minutes later they hot, the skin was crunchy, and the inside was so sweet it was unbelievable.! I made them for my sister and she loved them and aside they were perfect! Thanks again for a simple and delicious recipe.
Kristina
I am so glad you enjoyed them!
Doug Addington
This was fantastic! So easy and quick! They turned out amazing, so soft, sweet, and delicious! Thank you.
Kristina
You are so welcome, I am glad you liked them!
Kat
Question- do you need to pierce the sweet potato before cooking ?
Kristina
Nope, it's not necessary to poke them.
Jess
Is there anything the air fryer can't do?! These sweet potatoes are perfect!
Claudia Lamascolo
What a fund idea, I am going to make these for Easter what a time saver these are~!
Gail Montero
Love the idea of making these in the air fryer! Leaves my oven for other dishes - this is awesome!
Lindsay
These are so great! I love using the air fryer forore than just wings and fries. 🙂
Jessica Formicola
I've been using my air fryer a lot more often, so I can't wait to try these sweet potatoes! Leaves room in the oven for other things!
Alexandra
How delicious! And great use for the air fryer 🙂