Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes: A Quick And Easy Side Dish

Feb 26, 2025 by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

Elevate your side dish game with these delicious Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights.

Sweet potatoes are a beloved staple, cherished for their natural sweetness, rich nutritional value, and versatility in both sweet and savory dishes. Cooking them in an air fryer takes them to another level, delivering slightly charred exteriors with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Whether you’re looking for an easy side dish, a quick snack, or a delicious addition to your meals, this Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes recipe is bound to become a favorite.

Video Tutorial

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about air-frying sweet potatoes. The quick-cooking method locks in their natural sweetness while caramelizing the edges beautifully. Unlike baking or roasting in the oven, the air fryer achieves the same results in a fraction of the time. Plus, this method uses minimal oil, making it a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor.

This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, requires just a handful of ingredients, and is endlessly customizable. Whether you enjoy a sweet, cinnamon-spiced version or prefer a more savory twist, air-fried sweet potatoes can cater to any palate.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. sweet potatoes (approximately 2 medium-sized ones)
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)
• ½ tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

How to make Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

1. Begin by peeling the sweet potatoes and cutting them into evenly sized medium cubes.

2. Transfer the diced sweet potatoes to a large bowl and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and toss everything together until well-coated.

3. Arrange the seasoned potato cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. (You might need to work in batches, depending on the size of your basket.) Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even crisping. The potatoes are done when they are fork-tender with a golden, slightly charred exterior.

4. Once cooked, place the sweet potatoes back into a bowl, and add the brown sugar and maple syrup. Mix well until evenly coated. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

One of the best aspects of this dish is its adaptability. While this recipe highlights a sweet flavor profile, there are numerous ways to tweak it based on your preferences.

• Add butter. To add even more flavor and creamier texture, add some melted butter in the last step. 
• Savory Twist. For those who prefer a more savory approach, swap out the cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple syrup for salt, black pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. A touch of garlic powder or chili powder can add an extra kick.
• Change the cut. You don’t have to cube these. You can also cut them into wedges, slices, or sticks (like making sweet potato fries). Keep in mind, that if you cut them to bigger pieces you will need to increase the cooking time.
• Spiced and Sweet. To enhance the warm flavors, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of pumpkin spice. You can also experiment with honey instead of maple syrup for a slight variation in sweetness.

Helpful Tips for Best Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

• Cut Evenly: Ensure the sweet potato cubes are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Spread them in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation and crispiness.
• Shake the Basket: Midway through cooking, shake the basket to help the potatoes cook evenly on all sides.
• Check for Doneness: Depending on the size of the cubes and your air fryer model, cooking times may vary slightly. Test with a fork to see if they are tender before removing.
• Customize the Sweetness: Adjust the maple syrup and brown sugar to your desired level of sweetness.

What type of sweet potato to use

For the best results, use Garnet, Beauregard, or Jewel varieties. These types have orange flesh and have a naturally sweet taste and a creamy, moist texture that caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer, creating crispy edges while staying soft inside. Avoid white-fleshed sweet potatoes, as they tend to be drier and starchier, which may result in a less crispy texture.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

These air-fried sweet potatoes are delicious on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Here are some creative ways to enjoy them:

• As a Side Dish. They make a fantastic side to roasted meats like chicken, turkey, or pork. The caramelized sweetness complements the savory flavors of grilled or baked proteins. You can place a scoop of sour cream on top, it pairs really well with these sweet potatoes. 
• Breakfast Addition. Serve these alongside scrambled eggs, avocado toast, or Greek yogurt for a nutritious start to your day. 
• Salad Topping. Toss them over a fresh salad with arugula, herbs, feta cheese, nuts (such as pecans or walnuts), and a balsamic vinaigrette for an extra layer of texture and flavor.

Storage

• Allow the sweet potatoes to cool completely before placing them in the refrigerator.
• Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheating

• Air Fryer: To restore their crispiness, reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for about 4-5 minutes.
• Oven: Place on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
• Microwave: If you’re in a hurry, microwave them for about a minute, though they will lose some of their crispiness.

Freezing

For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked sweet potatoes in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight before warming them in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes are the perfect combination of crispy, caramelized, and tender. These make a perfect side dish or a nutritious snack. Plus, they’re a great way to enjoy the natural sweetness and nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes without the hassle of traditional roasting.

With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can enjoy this crowd-pleasing dish in no time. Give it a try and discover how delicious and versatile air-fried sweet potatoes can be!

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