Air fryer-baked sweet potatoes are an easy, healthful, and tasty side dish.  Air-fried baked sweet potatoes are ideal for any night of the week since they have a crispy exterior, and are delicate and fluffy inside!

Adding Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato to your diet is a great way to include nourishing and healthy foods. Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, potassium, vitamins, and minerals.

A great way to prepare sweet potatoes is to boil, bake or roast them, today I’m going to show you how I air fry them.

Baking whole sweet potatoes in your air fryer is one of the easiest ways you can prepare them. They will be ready in less time than it would take by baking them in the oven. Air frying your sweet potatoes means you don’t have to peel, chop, boil, or drain them.  You get to decide whether to serve them sweet or savory!

Other Air Fryer recipes to prepare our Air Fryer Plantain, Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes, and  Air Fryer Kale Chips.

Sweet potatoes for baking in the air fryer

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

Whole sweet potatoes are baked to make the best base for toppings, today. I’m going simple, salt, maple syrup, vegan butter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. They are fluffy, creamy, and sweet. They are vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Don’t worry if you don’t have an Air Fryer, you can bake your sweet potatoes in the oven. Check out this, How To Bake Sweet Potato?

I’m crazy about sweet potatoes and this time of the year I’m eating them all the time, check out my Vegan Sweet Potato Pie, Sweet Potato Casserole, and Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts And Sweet Potatoes.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE DETAILED RECIPE, BUT I SUGGEST READING THE COMPLETE ARTICLE FOR USEFUL TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A PERFECT RECIPE EVERY TIME.

Why I Love These Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato?

Here are several reasons why you should like this air fryer baked sweet potato:

  • When sweet potatoes are baked in an air fryer, they turn out perfectly.
  • Sweet potatoes baked in an air fryer are the ideal side dish since they have a lovely crisp potato surface and a light and fluffy interior.
  • It only takes 5 minutes of hands-on time (and that’s generous)!
  • Everything is done via the air fryer. Set the time, then let the magic happen! There is no need for babysitting.
  • Cooking a full sweet potato in an air fryer is far simpler and quicker than baking them in the oven.
  • Compared to baking or roasting in the oven, air frying a complete sweet potato takes less time.
  • If you want to switch up your usual side dish or vegetable routine, sweet potatoes are a good substitute for white potatoes and are packed with flavor.
  • You can top them or dress them up however you like. There are several choices, including traditional baked sweet potatoes with butter on top and a version that is sweeter by adding cinnamon and maple syrup.
  • All air fryer models, including the Ninja Foodi, Ninja Foodi Grill, Ninja Air Fryer, Instant Vortex, Emeril, Cuisinart, and Chefman air fryers, are compatible with this cooking technique.
  • All varieties of sweet potatoes, including yams and Japanese sweet potatoes, can be cooked using this air fryer method.

Are sweet potato fries your favorite? Instead, try these sweet potato fries cooked in the air fryer.

Health Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, Vitamin A, and beta carotene, Vitamin C. It is good to pair sweet potatoes with healthy fats like olive oil, since Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, for better absorption of the beta carotene in the sweet potato.

Beta carotene is converted in the body into Vitamin A, which is good for vision, skin, hair, nails, immune health, reproduction, and heart health. To read more about the benefits of Vitamin A Here.

Sweet potatoes contain fiber that tends to absorb water, causing you to feel full for longer. Is excellent for digestive health and weight management. One medium sweet potato cooked with the skin on has only 90 calories.

Sweet potatoes are known as low-glycemic foods that don’t cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.  

baked sweet potato with maple drizzling
  • Ingredients For Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

    • Sweet Potatoes – Choose sweet potatoes that are slender and narrow (bake evenly), choose ones without bruises, blemishes, or any soft spots.
    • Olive oil. – Or you can use your favorite oil.
    • Salt – I used Himalayan Pink Salt, you can use any sea salt.
    • Vegan Butter I love the flavor of vegan butter with the creamy sweet flesh of the sweet potato, you can omit the butter if you are oil-free and substitute it with nut butter or tahini sauce.
    • Cinnamon – substitute with your favorite spice, like coriander and cardamom.
    • Maple Syrup – you can substitute it with organic cane sugar or your favorite sweetener.

    How To Bake Sweet Potato In The Air Fryer?

    My favorite way to prepare sweet potatoes is to prepare them sweet instead of savory, it is just a personal preference. Please leave your feedback in the comment section and let me know how you prefer your baked sweet potatoes, whether sweet or savory.

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
    2. Scrubs sweet potatoes, wash and pat them dry. The drying of the potato skin ensures the skin will crisp up nicely when baked.
    3. Poke holes all over your sweet potatoes, you can use the tines of a fork. If you decide to use a knife instead to poke the holes then you need to be extra careful. Don’t skimp on poking those holes, literally more holes mean the sweet potatoes will cook more evenly and better in the oven air fryer.
    4. Rub the olive oil all over the sweet potatoes and sprinkle them with salt.
    5. Place the sweet potatoes in the basket of the air fryer.
    6. Cook them for 40 minutes, turning halfway or until they are tender.

    Chef’s Notes

    • Use Sweet Potatoes of Similar Size – Use sweet potatoes of similar size to ensure that they cook at the same rate.
    • Cooking Times Vary – Cooking times vary depending on the size or air fryer; you may use a fork to check the tenderness.

    Tips For Making Whole-Baked Sweet Potatoes

    • The sweet potatoes’ exteriors should be carefully cleaned. They may be extremely filthy, but their skin will be tasty and crispy.
    • Allow the sweet potatoes to dry completely before air frying. Wet foods do not become crispy! On a baking rack, I prefer to let them dry. This makes sure that the potatoes dry thoroughly and that air circulates around them on all sides.
    • Use a fork to poke them all over. The sweet potatoes’ steam can escape by making little holes all over them.
    • Choose the appropriate-sized sweet potatoes; this recipe works best with medium-sized, longer, and skinnier sweet potatoes. However, larger, rounder sweet potatoes can still be used, but they will take longer to cook and may not cook uniformly.
    • This method of cooking in an air fryer might also be used to cook yams.
    • If you have an air fryer with a basket design, you can still bake sweet potatoes using this technique.

    Serving Ideas

    There are many other possibilities, whether you want your roasted sweet potatoes plain or with interesting additions! My favorites are listed below:

    • These sweet potatoes can be eaten as a healthy snack on their own.
    • Turning them into a potato bun, make Sloppy Joes out of them and serve them as a complete supper option.
    • If you’re vegan, serve them with a veggie burger or cooked tofu.

    Variations Of Baked Sweet Potatoes

    Only an air fryer is required to prepare this delectable side dish.  There are a number of models available on the market, and I’m confident that they will perform perfectly. If you don’t have an air fryer, you may still enjoy your wonderful sweet potatoes with these variations:

    Oven – Sweet potatoes can be baked in the oven at 425 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes when placed on a baking sheet. It won’t make the flavor any less delicious, and you’ll definitely want more.

    Baked in foil – Another option is to bake your sweet potatoes individually wrapped in foil. The baked potatoes will taste creamier, and softer, and stay hotter for a longer period of time as a result.

    Reheating and Storing

    Storage – Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

    Reheating – To warm up leftovers, air-fried them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 10 minutes. If the skin becomes too crispy, you may wrap them in foil.

    Other Topping Ideas For Your Baked Sweet Potatoes

    1. Vegan Sour Cream
    2. Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
    3. Guacamole

    Other Sweet Potato Recipes To Make

     

close up of baked sweet potato in air fryer on a grey plate

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An Air Fryer?

Air frying is becoming more and more popular as it’s a healthier alternative to deep-frying foods and may be used to cook a variety of things, including broccoli, sweet potatoes, tofu, and eggs. The air fryer makes it possible to cook foods with little or no oil. 

Air fryers cook food quickly which helps retain flavors and nutrients and prevents it from becoming soggy. Hot air circulates around the meal to create a crunchy, flaky surface. This is the best way to enjoy French fries, fried chicken, and even desserts without all of the extra fat from frying!

Why Use An Air Fryer?

Instead of using the oven to bake my sweet potatoes, I cook them in the air fryer, which takes less time and produces a crispy skin with less mess. In case you don’t have an air fryer, I’ve provided baking instructions for the sweet potatoes.

Are Air Fried Sweet Potatoes Healthy?

Absolutely! Compared to the common method of frying in oil, baking them in an air fryer reduces the amount of oil used, resulting in a dish with fewer calories and fat. Among the many vitamins and minerals found in sweet potatoes include vitamin A, beta-carotene (commonly known as vitamin C), potassium, and many others. B Baked sweet potatoes don’t contain gluten and are also vegan.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Sweet Potatoes In An Air Fryer?

The size of the sweet potato will determine the cooking time. Typically, entire sweet potatoes take 35 to 45 minutes to cook. The cooking time for my 8 oz. of potatoes was 40 minutes.

What Temperature Should I Use For My Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes?

I advise 190C, or 380F, as the ideal temperature. Too much heat may cause the sweet potato to burn.

Do I Have To Wrap Them In Foil?

Not at all, never. The skin wouldn’t be crispy but soft, and it might even get a little slimy.

Can I Bake Them In The Oven?

You can, of course, go the conventional route. Clean, poke, and rub the root veggies before placing them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake for 40-50 minutes at 425°F (220°C), or until fork-tender. However, their size and form have a significant role in determining how long they should bake.

What Are The Best Kind Of Sweet Potatoes For Baking?

Choose kinds of sweet potatoes like Jewel and Red Garnet that have orange or red skin, and deep orange flesh for the tastiest cooked sweet potatoes. These are sweet and juicy when cooked, whereas purple and tan sweet potatoes are significantly drier.

Seasonings For Baked Sweet Potatoes?

Since I’m a purist, butter, and salt are the only toppings I’ll ever consider using on a whole roasted sweet potato. For sweetener, I used cinnamon and maple syrup. If you like to enhance the flavor, add garlic powder, paprika, or chipotle powder.

Do You Have To Soak Sweet Potatoes In Water Before Air Frying?

No, you are not required. That only applies to potatoes because they are high in starch.

What Should I Do With The Leftover Sweet Potatoes?

Refrigerate the leftovers for approximately three days in an air-tight container.

 

Can I Make These Ahead of Time?

Baked sweet potatoes can be made ahead of time, but they won’t be as good when reheated. For a few days, you can keep them well covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve them, reheat them in the air fryer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

The skin will lose part of its crispness as a result of doing this. Making these twice-baked sweet potatoes with leftover or additional baked sweet potatoes is a better option. These are fantastic and a perfect way to transform leftover sweet potatoes into something yummy!

Can You Eat Sweet Potato Skin?

Yes, you can enjoy sweet potato skin. The skin is packed with Vitamins and minerals, they are high in fiber which is great for a healthy functioning gut. All you need to do is, wash and dry your sweet potatoes, and pierce them with the tines of a fork before cooking them in the air-fryer.

 

 

Take some time to sit, dine, and enjoy life together. Make these Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes, and let me know how they turn out by leaving a comment on this post! I’d love to hear from you…  Have fun cooking!

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Categories

Nutrition

(Per serving)
  • Energy: 266 kcal / 1112 kJ
  • Fat: 12.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Carbs: 39.7 g

Cook Time

  • Preparation: 5 min
  • Cooking: 40 min
  • Ready in: 45 min
  • For: 2 Servings

Ingredients

Toppings

Instructions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F.
  2. Scrubs sweet potatoes, wash and pat them dry.
  3. Poke holes all over your sweet potatoes, you can use the tines of a  fork or a paring knife.
  4. Rub the olive oil all over the sweet potatoes and sprinkle them with salt.
  5. Place the sweet potatoes in the basket of the air fryer. 
  6. Cook them for 40 minutes, turning halfway or until they are tender 
  7. Cool for 5 minutes before opening and adding the toppings.
Recipe author's Gravatar image

Michelle Blackwood, RN

Hi, I’m Michelle, I’m the voice, content creator and photographer behind Healthier Steps. I share vegan and gluten-free recipes because of past health issues. My goal is to help you make healthier choices and show you how healthy eating is easy and delicious.