Have you tried making sweet potatoes in an air fryer? You should—it’s delicious!
The air fryer is excellent for preparing all kinds of potatoes, and it works particularly well with sweet potatoes. Baked sweet potatoes in an air fryer are ready in about 30 minutes—much faster than an oven—making them a perfect, simple side dish for any meal. Ready to learn how? Let’s get started in the bistro kitchen.
Table of Contents
What You Need For This Recipe
Making baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer requires just a few simple ingredients. Gather these before you begin:
- Sweet potatoes — keep the skin on for the best texture and nutrients
- Olive oil — for brushing the skins
- Salt — to taste
Quantities and step-by-step instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
How To Make Baked Sweet Potato In Air Fryer
- Wash each sweet potato thoroughly to remove dirt, then pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Prick the potatoes several times with a fork, knife, or skewer to allow steam to escape while cooking.
- Lightly brush the skins with olive oil so they crisp and brown evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. For medium, fist-sized potatoes, cook 25–30 minutes. Larger potatoes may need an additional 5 minutes. Turn once halfway through if your air fryer model benefits from it.
- When tender (a knife or skewer should slide in easily), remove the potatoes and cut them open.
- Season with a pinch of salt, and add optional toppings such as butter, bacon bits, shredded cheese, or your favorite seasoning.
- Serve immediately while hot and fluffy.
Can You Cook Sweet Potato In An Air Fryer?
Yes. You can bake whole sweet potatoes in an air fryer, roast sliced sweet potatoes, or prepare sweet potato fries. The air fryer speeds up cooking while producing crisp skins and tender interiors, comparable to oven results but in a fraction of the time.
Do I Need Foil To Bake Sweet Potatoes?
No. You don’t need aluminum foil when baking sweet potatoes in the air fryer. They cook beautifully directly in the basket, and leaving them unwrapped helps the skin crisp up.
Do You Make Baked Sweet Potatoes Faster In An Air Fryer?
Yes. Air fryers typically reduce cooking time significantly. Medium sweet potatoes are usually done in about 25–30 minutes, while an oven can take an hour or more. This makes the air fryer a great option when you want baked sweet potatoes quickly.
What Toppings Can You Serve Baked Sweet Potatoes With?
Sweet potatoes pair well with a wide variety of toppings. Some favorites include:
- Butter or olive oil
- Cream cheese or sour cream
- Salt and black pepper
- Bacon bits or crumbled cooked bacon
- Maple syrup or a drizzle of honey
- Brown sugar and cinnamon
- Shredded cheese or chili flakes for heat
Do I Have To Soak Sweet Potatoes Before Air Frying?
No soaking is necessary for whole baked sweet potatoes. Unlike fries, where soaking can remove excess starch, whole sweet potatoes only need rinsing to remove dirt and then drying before cooking.
Should I Prick Sweet Potatoes Before Air Frying?
Yes. Pricking the potatoes allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing pressure from building up inside and ensuring an even texture.
Should I Cut A Sweet Potato In Half Before Air Frying?
For the best result, leave sweet potatoes whole while baking. Cooking them intact produces a soft, fluffy interior. You can slice them open after cooking and add toppings as desired.
More Air Fryer Potato Recipes You’ll Like
If you enjoy potatoes, try experimenting with other air fryer recipes such as air fryer boiled potatoes, sweet potato fries, potato gratin, sliced potatoes, or roasted potatoes. These methods showcase the air fryer’s versatility and speed for different potato dishes.
Baked Sweet Potato In Air Fryer
This baked sweet potato recipe is quick and easy. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a fast alternative to oven baking and works well as a comforting side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
Instructions
- Clean the sweet potatoes with water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Prick the sweet potatoes several times with a fork, knife, or skewer.
- Brush the skins with a thin layer of olive oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place the potatoes in the basket and air fry for 25–30 minutes for medium potatoes; add 5 minutes for larger potatoes.
- Remove, cut open, and season with salt; top as desired.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Pricking the potatoes prevents internal steam from building up.
- If you prefer to use an oven, bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 60–90 minutes depending on size.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 162
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 332mg
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 2g
Please note: Nutrition information is provided for guidance and may not be exact.