Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
These air fryer sweet potatoes are coated in warming seasonings, tossed in olive oil, and fried to crispy-yet-tender perfection. Serve them with your favorite dip for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish!
With just 6 ingredients and minimal cooking time required, these air fryer sweet potatoes are the perfect example of healthy eating made easy and inexpensive. For another quick and nutritious idea, check out my air fryer sweet potato fries!
Why I love this recipe
These air fryer sweet potatoes are restaurant-quality but take half the time to prepare. Seriously, the cubes are ready in less than 20 minutes!
All you need to do is cut the potatoes, coat them in seasonings, and pop them in the air fryer. They turn out crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with warming flavors from cumin, paprika, and garlic.
This health-conscious recipe suits a variety of dietary needs, from vegan to gluten-free, and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences. I promise the whole family will be enjoying their new favorite side dish in no time!
Ingredient notes
The ingredients for these air fryer sweet potatoes are all easily accessible and budget-friendly. Find a breakdown and suitable substitutes below!
Sweet potatoes
For these air fryer sweet potato cubes, I prefer to use orange-skinned varieties like Garnet, Heirloom, and Jewel sweet potatoes. Theyโre sweet, moist, and flavorful.
Substitute: You can use white or purple sweet potatoes, but you may need to reduce the cooking time since these varieties are more dry.
Cumin
Cumin provides a warm, earthy note that complements the sweetness of the potatoes.
Substitute: An equivalent amount of ground coriander offers a similar warmth with a slightly citrusy undertone.
Smoked paprika
Not only does this seasoning add a hint of smoky, spicy sweetness to the fries, but it also provides a pop of color for a beautiful presentation.
Substitute: Try sweet paprika, regular paprika, or hot paprika for some heat. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.
Garlic powder
Everything tastes better with garlic powder! It adds the perfect balance of savory, toasty flavors.
Substitute: An equal amount of onion powder will also work.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
How to make
Learn the best way to make air fryer sweet potatoes with my straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions. Look for the tips in green throughout this section for consistent and successful results!
Preparation
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes. While it preheats, wash your sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt.
Dry the potatoes completely before cutting them to avoid steam formation during cooking, which can reduce their crispiness.
Cooking
Step 1
In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss them until each cube is evenly coated.
Step 2
Transfer the seasoned sweet potatoes to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure hot air can circulate around each piece, which is crucial for achieving a crispy texture.
If your air fryer basket is small, cook the sweet potatoes in batches. Overcrowding leads to steaming rather than frying.
Step 3
Air fry the sweet potatoes for 14-16 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
Shaking the basket halfway helps all sides become crispy, but be gentle to keep the potatoes intact.
Step 4
Once done, carefully remove the sweet potatoes from the air fryer and serve them immediately while warm. Happy eating!
Expert tip
To create the crispiest air fryer sweet potatoes while keeping this recipe healthy, use just enough oil to coat each cube lightly. If you douse them in oil, you may as well deep-fry them.
Equally important here is the choice of oil. Use a high-smoke-point oil so that the potatoes can be cooked at a high temperature without the oil smoking and imparting a burnt taste.
Don’t be tempted to throw all the potatoes into your air fryer basket at once. Space the potatoes in a single layer so that hot air can circulate freely around each piece, resulting in optimal crispiness.
Serving suggestions
If you love dips and sauces as much as I do, pair your air fryer sweet potatoes with some garlic aioli, vegan chipotle sauce, lemon tahini dressing, creamy balsamic dressing, or adobo sauce and vegan mayo.
For added sweetness and texture, serve them as a side dish or incorporate them into harvest bowls, salads, or vegan breakfast burritos with vegan bacon. You can also pair them with air fryer canned potatoes or grilled potato wedges for a mix of flavors.
Cooking tips
Prepare the potatoes: You can use peeled or unpeeled potatoes, but don’t forget to thoroughly wash and dry them prior to frying.
Cube the potatoes evenly: For evenly cooked air fryer sweet potato chunks, chop them into equal-sized pieces.
Keep an eye on them: Depending on the size of your potato cubes and your air fryer, the cooking time may vary. Keep an eye on them as they cook, and don’t forget to shake and flip them halfway through!
Frequently asked questions
Depending on the size of your sweet potatoes and specific air fryer, the cooking time may vary between 14 and 16 minutes.
Cubes or fries both work, but I recommend cutting sweet potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
They may not be crispy due to overcrowding the air fryer basket or not using enough oil. To prevent this, make sure there’s space between the cubes and that they are lightly coated with oil.
Storing & reheating
Air fryer sweet potatoes can be stored for later or prepared in advance. Let them cool to room temperature before transferring them to a container.
Fridge
If you have leftovers, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Freezer
Once cooked and fully cooled, air fryer sweet potato cubes can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable bag for up to 12 months. You can even reheat them immediately from frozen!
Reheating
The best way to reheat sweet potato cubes and keep them crisp is to warm them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes. Add a few minutes if you’re reheating them from frozen.
More potato recipes
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Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 ยผ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ยฐF for 4-5 minutes.
- In the meantime, add the sweet potato cubes to a mixing bowl with oil, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Add the potatoes to the preheated air fryer in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them.
- Air fry the sweet potatoes for 14-16 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark to cook evenly.
- Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and serve them immediately while warm with or without dips. Happy eating!
Notes
Nutrition
Note: Iโve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.
Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.