Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (2024)

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Fluffy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, this Air Fryer whole sweet potato recipe is the perfect side to serve with any dish.

Why heat your entire oven just for one or two sweet potatoes when you can make delicious air fryer whole sweet potato so easily! The potato's natural sweetness is balanced beautifully by adding a little melted butter and a sprinkling of chives.

Cooking sweet potatoes in the air fryer will take less time and energy than using a traditional oven. So not only will your potatoes be cooked to perfection, you’ll be saving money, too!

Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (1)

This simple method for cooking sweet potatoes in air fryer uses only two ingredients, sweet potatoes and a small amount of olive oil. As a result, you’ll use much less oil than cooking potatoes in the oven.

The air fryer cooks potatoes to perfection with little supervision, making this the perfect low-effort, high reward recipe for a busy weeknight.

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Ingredients

Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (2)

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

How to cook sweet potatoes in air fryer

Cooking sweet potatoes in the air fryer is very easy to make and the result is creamy and perfectly cooked baked sweet potato in the air fryer.

First: wash and pat dry the potatoes; using a fork poke some holes in the sweet potatoes and rub with olive oil.

Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (3)

Next: place the whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400ºF for 40 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Remove from the basket and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

  • Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (4)
  • Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (5)

Finally: split the potatoes down in the middle and add the butter and sprinkle chives or serve to your liking.

Recipe tips

  • The key to cooking whole sweet potatoes in air fryer is choosing the right potatoes. Long, slim potatoes will cook more evenly, and be sure to select potatoes that are the same size, so they cook in the same amount of time.
  • Poking your potatoes to pierce the skin a few times before putting them in the air fryer will prevent them from bursting.
  • Always scrub your potatoes using a stiff brush before cooking them to remove any dirt. They do grow in the ground, so it’s important not to miss this step!

How long to cook sweet potato in air fryer

It takes around 40 minutes at 400°F to air fry sweet potato whole. The exact timing will depend on the size of the potato.

You can check to see whether your potato is done by poking it with a fork - if the fork easily passes through the flesh and it feels tender, then it’s done. If not, give it a little longer.

What to serve with sweet potatoes

Roasted whole sweet potatoes air fryer recipe is a tasty and straightforward way to create a healthy and delicious dinner!
While you’ve got the air fryer running, you might want to try making these BBQ chicken legs in air fryer recipe and these simple air fryer green beans to go with your potatoes.

How to store roasted whole sweet potatoes

Put your leftovers in an airtight container and transfer them to the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or you can freeze for up to three months.

How to reheat sweet potatoes

If you know you’ve got a busy day coming, try cooking them in an air fryer ahead of time and then reheating on the day.

  • In the microwave: Cook for 2-3 minutes on high until piping hot.
  • In the air fryer: Reheating your potatoes in the air fryer is a sure way to get them nice and crispy! Turn your air fryer to 400°F and heat for 3-4 minutes.
  • On the stovetop: Heat some water in a saute pan over medium-high heat, add the potato, and heat until warmed through.
  • In the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (6)

FAQ’s

Can you freeze a whole sweet potato?

You can! Keeping a cooked sweet potato in the freezer is a great way to have a quick and healthy meal ready to go whenever you need it.
They will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

Do you need to soak sweet potatoes before air frying?

No, you don’t. Sweet potatoes have a much lower starch content than regular potatoes, so there’s no need to soak them.

How to know when the sweet potato is done?

You can tell when it is done by poking it with a fork. If the fork easily passes through the flesh and it feels tender, then it’s done.

What are good toppings for a whole sweet potato?

This air fry sweet potato recipe doesn’t need much added to it; a small helping of melted butter and chopped chive, and it’s ready to eat!
However, like any potato, it’s delicious with savory toppings like:

  • Chili (meat or vegetable)
  • BBQ pulled pork
  • Instant pot turkey thighs stew
  • Butter and crumbled bacon
Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (7)

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Simple Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes Recipe
  • Best Air Fryer Baby Potatoes Recipe
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Air Fryer Recipe (Without Flour)
  • Air Fryer Plantain Chips Recipe (Banana Chips)
  • Healthy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Recipe (No Breading)
  • How To Cook Cornish Hen In Air Fryer

Please, do not forget tosubscribeand follow us onInstagramandPinterest. for more healthy air fryer recipes and ideas. Thank you for reading Enjoy Clean Eating!

Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (8)

Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Fluffy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, this Air Fryer whole sweet potato recipe is the perfect side to serve with any dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

    1. Wash and pat dry the potatoes; using a fork, poke some holes in the sweet potatoes and rub with olive oil.
    2. Place the whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400ºF for 40 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Remove from the basket and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    3. Split the potatoes down in the middle, add the butter, and sprinkle chives or serve to your liking.

Notes

  • The key to cooking whole sweet potatoes in air fryer is choosing the right potatoes. Long, slim potatoes will cook more evenly, and be sure to select potatoes that are the same size, so they cook in the same amount of time.
  • Poking your potatoes to pierce the skin a few times before putting them in the air fryer will prevent them from bursting.
  • Always scrub your potatoes using a stiff brush before cooking them to remove any dirt. They do grow in the ground, so it’s important not to miss this step!
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield: 2Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving:Calories: 122Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 41mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g

    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated​, only the sodium in the other ingredients​ is calculated.

    Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potato Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    How long does a sweet potato take to cook in the air fryer? ›

    Soft and fluffy sweet potatoes baked in the air fryer in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. No need to put your oven on to make soft and creamy baked sweet potatoes. Just pop them in your air fryer and they are ready to serve in half an hour.

    Why do you soak sweet potatoes in water before air frying? ›

    Some recipes call for soaking the sweet potatoes in water before cooking them to help remove some of the starch and make them more crispy but have found that this step isn't necessary for sweet potatoes as they don't have as much starch as regular potatoes.

    How long does it take for a potato to get soft in the air fryer? ›

    Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Rub potatoes with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. Place potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook in the preheated air fryer until potatoes are soft, 40 to 50 minutes, depending on potato size.

    Why do sweet potatoes turn black in air fryer? ›

    Why do my air fryer sweet potato fries turn black? Sweet potatoes contain a higher concentration of sugar than standard potatoes, and caramelize as they cook in the air fryer. If you find the fries are darkening too quickly or deeply, cook at a lower temperature, or for a shorter period of time.

    How much heat and time should you put a sweet potato in an air fryer? ›

    Sweet potatoes take 40 to 50 minutes to bake in the air fryer at 370 degrees F, compared to 50 to 65 minutes (or longer) in the oven (check out How to Bake a Sweet Potato). Use that time to whip up a fast, easy main like Pan Fried Chicken Breast.

    Is it faster to bake a potato in the oven or air fryer? ›

    Less time: The baked potato made in the air fryer took less time than when baked in the oven. A 10-ounce potato took 40 to 45 minutes to get tender and crisp, whereas a potato baked in the oven took about 1 hour. Crisper skin: The skin of the air fryer baked potato became considerably crispier.

    What happens if you don't soak potatoes before air frying? ›

    I wouldn't bother doing potatoes from the raw state, without soaking. It will take about a half an hour and the texture won't be nearly as rewarding. They just don't get very crispy without that cold soak.

    What happens if you don't soak potatoes before frying? ›

    Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

    Should I rinse my potatoes before air frying? ›

    Soaking potatoes in water before air frying helps remove excess starch from the surface. This can result in crispier and more evenly cooked potatoes, as excess starch can cause them to stick together or become gummy during the cooking process.

    Why are my potatoes not crispy in the air fryer? ›

    Ensure you coat them with an oil

    Whilst one of the many benefits of air fryers is that they use less oil than traditional cooking methods, ensuring your potatoes are evenly covered in an oil of your choice, for example olive oil, is crucial to achieving that perfect crisp.

    Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

    Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

    Can you put a raw potato in the air fryer? ›

    Fluffy, tender interior: The inside of the potatoes cooks up perfectly tender and fluffy without drying out. Uses less oil than deep-frying: Cooking raw potatoes in an air fryer uses a fraction of the oil as deep frying, but they come out tasting amazing!

    Why do my sweet potatoes burn in the air fryer? ›

    If you cut your sweet potato fries in uneven sizes (i.e., some much thinner than others), the smaller fries may start to burn while the thicker fries are still cooking. If all of the fries are burning, the temperature of your air fryer is too high or the fries have been cooking for too long.

    What is the black stuff that comes out of sweet potatoes? ›

    Those are just burnt or almost-burnt spots where the sugars in the sweet potatoes caramelized a bit too much.

    What are the dark side of sweet potatoes? ›

    Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of oxalates that may increase the risk of calcium-oxalate kidney stones. Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and their excessive consumption can lead to hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), in which excess vitamin A accumulates in the liver.

    How long does it take for a sweet potato to cook? ›

    A good rule of thumb for whole baked sweet potatoes: 45 minutes to 1 hour at 400 degrees F; 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes at 350 degrees F; 1 and 1/2 hours at 325 degrees F. You'll know the sweet potatoes are done by piercing the center of the sweet potato with the tip of a sharp knife; the flesh should yield easily.

    How to bake in an air fryer? ›

    Tips for air fryer success:

    Lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20 to 25 percent less time than the temperature and time called for in a regular baking recipe. Preheat the air fryer for any baked goods that rely heavily on a chemical or yeast leavener (baking soda, baking powder, yeast, etc.)

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