Crispy on the outside & fluffy tender on the inside Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes is a quick recipe that takes less time than baking them in the oven. Load them up with toppings for the ultimate easy side dish.
This recipe for baking sweet potatoes in the air fryer is my go-to way to cook them. Serve one butter & brown sugar along with Air Fryer Fish Fillets for a quick weeknight meal. But my favorite is mashing them up and baking a homemade Graham Cracker Crust Sweet Potato Pie.
The crispy skin on air-fried potatoes is amazing. Plus the inside is soft & delicate in less time than a conventional oven takes. Like my recipe for Air Fryer Baked Russet Potatoes, there is no better way to cook them.
Jump to:
- Ingredients for Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
- How to Bake Whole Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer
- Topping & Serving Ideas
- Equipment Needed
- Storing & Reheating
- Top Tips
- How Long to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer?
- FAQ
- More Sweet Potato Recipes
- What to Serve with Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients for Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
When baking sweet potatoes in the air fryer, oven, or toaster oven, the ingredients needed are close to the same. The key to baking sweet potatoes (or any potatoes for that matter) is to pick out ones similar in size. This way they cook at the same rate & will be done at the same time.
- Sweet Potatoes - the best varieties for baking are Garnet, Beauregard, & Jewel.
- Avocado Oil Spray - this type of oil is ideal for high-heat cooking and air frying.
- Salt & Pepper - optional for seasoning when serving.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Bake Whole Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer
The sweet & savory side dish is ready in about half the time it takes in the oven. The easy timesaving side dish deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation.
Here are the easy steps for baking sweet potatoes in the air fryer.
- Prep the Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fry @ 390°
- Serve & Add Toppings
1 - Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Begin by preheating the air fryer to 390°. Set the timer for 30 m all sweet potatoes.
* See the chart below for the longer times needed for bigger-sized potatoes
While the air fryer is preheating, prep the sweet potatoes. Wash and dry each sweet potato.
Poke each one with a fork 3-4x in different locations and sides. Spray avocado oil spray around all surface areas.
2 - Air Fry @ 390°
Preheat the air fryer to 390° should take a few minutes. The cooking time starts once it is preheated. I own a Breville Smart Oven which is a toaster oven/air fryer combination. This recipe works for all models including Ninja, Consori, etc.
Once the air fryer reaches 390°, carefully place the potatoes in the air fryer.
How to tell if the sweet potatoes are done air frying? 2 minutes before the timer is done, check the potatoes for doneness. Slide a sharp knife into each one. If it slides in easily, they are ready.
If there is still resistance, they are not ready and may need more time - adjust 5 minutes more if needed.
Hint: cooking times will vary based on the size of the sweet potato. See the section below for a cheat sheet grid for cooking times & temperatures.
3 - Serve & Add Toppings
Once the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork or knife, they are ready. Using tongs, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Place on a platter or individual plates.
Let the potatoes rest for 5-10 minutes. Then slit open with a knife and use a fork to fluff up the flesh inside. Season them with salt & pepper. Add your favorite toppings & enjoy while hot.
Topping & Serving Ideas
Here are some of the best ways to top an air-fried sweet potato. All of these sweet, savory, & fun ideas pair well with a freshly baked sweet potato. Try 2-3 together for one of the yummiest combinations.
Toppings
- Maple Syrup
- Brown Sugar
- Butter, Margarine, or Vegan Butter
- Cinnamon
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Fresh Herbs
- Chili - vegetable, bean, or meat version.
- Leftover Meats - shredded smoked pork butt, BBQ pulled chicken, or sloppy Joe meat.
Serving & Recipes Ideas
Baked sweet potatoes are the base for many amazing recipes. Use leftovers to whip up one of these other delicious recipes.
- Whipped Sweet Potatoes - the base to this fluffy & creamy side dish.
- Sweet Potato Pie with Graham Crack Crust - mash them up and make the filling for this amazing Southern dessert.
Equipment Needed
The right ingredients, supplies, & equipment help recipes taste amazing & turn out well. Here are recommendations for products that are needed for making this recipe. Shop this recipe & buy these top-rated items today.
The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking on links and making purchases may earn me a commission, supporting the blog's operational expenses. Thank you for your support!
Storing & Reheating
Leftover cooked sweet potatoes last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Place them in a sealable Ziploc bag or an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. To reheat place in the air fryer at 370° for 5-10 minutes, depending on the size or if the potato is already cut open.
Prebaking and then freezing sweet potatoes is a great way to plan ahead. They store well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly and when ready to use them, defrost them in the refrigerator for 48 hours. They are great for making casseroles or pies for the holidays.
Top Tips
All of these great tips are shared in the post. But these are so good and important they are worth mentioning again so you don't miss them.
- Choose potatoes of similar size so they cook at the same rate and are done at the same time.
- Make sure to poke each potato a few times with a fork.
- Let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting them open.
- Try a combination of 2-3 tasty toppings.
How Long to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer?
Here is a quick reference guide to help you figure out how long it will take to bake sweet potatoes in the air fryer. Based on size & weight, these are the rough cooking times based on air frying at 390°.
| SIZE | MINUTES |
| Small (5 ounces) | 30-35 |
| Medium (6 ounces) | 35-40 |
| Large (7-8 ounces) | 45-50 |
| Extra Large (9+ ounces) | 1 hour |
FAQ
The best way to store any kind of potato is in a cool dry place. Pantries, cupboards, & cabinets away from heat or sun work best. Place them in a basket, bowl, or bag that is left open to circulate air. The ideal temperature for storage is between 50-65°. Storing them in the refrigerator is not recommended.
You cut through that cooked sweet potato and find it is stringy instead of creamy & tender. If a potato is stored at warmed temperatures (above 65°) it may shrivel in their skins and result in a stringy interior. They are still safe to eat. You can try whipping them or pressing them through a potato ricer to reduce the stringy texture.
Many people wrap russets and sweet potatoes before baking them in the oven. I suggest not doing this. The foil tends to "steam" the potatoes more than roasting them which results in a soggy skin. If you like crispy skin, do not wrap them in foil before baking.
More Sweet Potato Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these other ideas for cooking with sweet potatoes:
What to Serve with Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes
These are my favorite dishes to serve with sweet potatoes cooked in the air fryer:
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 small sweet potatoes
- avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390° and set the timer to 30 minutes.* see the chart below for longer time needed for bigger sized potatoes
- While the air fryer is preheating, prep the sweet potatoes. Wash and dry each sweet potato. Poke each one with a fork 3-4x in different locations and sides. Spray avocado oil spray around all surface areas.
- Once the air fryer reaches 390°, carefully place the potatoes in the air fryer.
- 2 minutes before the timer is done, check the potatoes for doneness. Slide a sharp knife into each one. If it slides in easily, they are ready. If there is still resistance, they are not ready and may need more time - adjust 5 minutes more if needed.
- Once sweet potatoes are soft and ready, turn the air fryer off. Use tongs to remove them from the air fryer. Place them on a platter, cutting board, or individual plates. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before enjoying.
- Cut each potato open and fluff up the flesh with a fork. Add your favorite toppings.
Notes
| SIZE | MINUTES |
| Small (5 ounces) | 30-35 |
| Medium (6 ounces) | 35-40 |
| Large (7-8 ounces) | 45-50 |
Leave a Reply