Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

If you’re looking for a tasty, healthy, easy-to-make side dish, you’ll love Air Fryer baked sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes in the air fryer are so beautifully fluffy and soft on the inside, with perfectly crispy skin on the outside. They make a mouthwatering and healthy snack, perfect for the holidays or year-round. Plus, you won’t need to preheat the oven; the air fryer is much quicker and simpler to use.

Sweet potatoes are the best source of nutrients such as vitamin C and E, potassium, and fiber when eaten with the skin on. What I love about air fryer sweet potatoes is that they can be turned into sweet or savory main dishes. You can match them with butter, sugar, cinnamon, cumin, or chili powder for the extra spice. The possibilities are endless! Try Sweet Potato Fritters with Scallion and Bacon.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, scrubbed, rinsed, and patted dry.
• 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A teaspoon of bacon bits, optional
• Finely chopped green onions, optional
• Butter

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Instructions:

• Scrub and wash the sweet potatoes and pat dry. 
• Pierce all over with a fork.
• Rub generously with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Place into the basket/ tray of the air fryer.
• Cook at 390 F/ 189 C for 40 minutes or until fork-tender when pierced.
• Flip the potatoes over halfway through the cooking.
• Using a knife, open the sweet potatoes and top with bacon bits, green onions, and small pieces of butter. Sprinkle it with salt. 
• And voila! Your very own air fryer sweet potatoes!

Tips for best Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer.

Although air fryer sweet potatoes are almost effortless, there are always tips and tricks you can use to level up your game:

• Buy sweet potatoes that are long and skinny. Pick ones that are similar in size so that they can bake evenly. Don’t be tricked into thinking that round and bulbous potatoes will make a more tender and creamy dish. Additionally, avoid potatoes with too many wrinkles and cracks. Instead, aim for soft skin, and you’ll be surprised by the results.
• Store sweet potatoes in a dry and cool environment for 3-5 weeks.
• Before jumping into the recipe, make sure you thoroughly wash the potatoes. You need to clear all the dirt before eating them. Also, be sure they’re dry before placing them in the air fryer so that they can bake and roast instead of steam.
• Pierce potatoes at least 5-6 times before placing them in the air fryer to prevent them from exploding.

Variations of Baked Sweet Potatoes

The only necessary equipment for this delicious side dish is an air fryer. I use a Cuisinart Air fryer oven. You can easily find tons of models in the market; I’m sure they’ll do the job just fine. However, if you currently don’t own an air fryer, you can still enjoy your delicious sweet potatoes with variations:

• Oven - If you opt for baking your sweet potatoes in the oven, 425 F for 45-50 minutes on a baking sheet will do. It won’t diminish the taste, and it’ll certainly leave you begging for more.
• Baked in foil - Another alternative is baking your sweet potatoes wrapped individually in foil. This will add a softer, creamy flavor and keep the baked potatoes hot for longer once they come out.

How to Serve Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

There are so many ways to serve air fryer baked sweet potatoes that I start drooling just by thinking about it. But, of course, the most common way is serving them with butter on top (a little goes a long way). You can always replace butter with coconut oil if you’re dairy-free. Serve them with a side of Homemade Chipotle dipping sauce.

If you’re looking for a calorie-free option, you can add cinnamon, pumpkin spice, cumin, and chili powder. However, don’t say we didn’t warn you that you’ll get addicted. Moreover, there are sweet potato stuffings you can easily cook from home. 

I hope you try this delicious recipe with the tips I shared above. Let me know how it turned out, and be sure to create your own variations!