Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/17/22
air fryer sweet potato with butter and cilantro garnish
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 55 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 sweet potatoes

You don't have to have free space in the oven to make perfect baked sweet potatoes. Is that a familiar situation? Consider these air fryer sweet potatoes. Because it cooks with super-heated air flowing around food items, the air fryer does the job quickly and efficiently. Sweet potatoes are perfectly cooked in about 40 to 45 minutes with just a quick turn at the halfway point. The air fryer is also an excellent way to bake in hot summer weather when you want to avoid using the large oven. Throw some steaks on the grill and sweet potatoes in the air fryer for a fabulous summer meal with very little effort.

The air fryer is also a good method if you need sweet potatoes for a pie, pudding, or casserole. In that case, you can skip the salt. Just scoop the cooked flesh into a bowl, discard the skins, and mash or purée the sweet potato for your recipe.

The number of sweet potatoes cooked at one time depends on the size of the air fryer and potatoes. Most air fryers can accommodate four small to medium sweet potatoes or two to three large ones. Just make sure there's a little space between them for air and heat circulation.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 4 teaspoons butter, optional

  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley (or cilantro or chives), optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients for air fryer baked sweet potatoes
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  2. Scrub the sweet potatoes and dry them thoroughly. Rub the olive oil over the potatoes and sprinkle them with kosher salt. Use a metal skewer or fork to poke several holes in each sweet potato.

    seasoned and oiled sweet potatoes on cutting board
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  3. Arrange the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 390 F and timer for 45 minutes.

    sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  4. Cook the sweet potatoes, turning them about halfway through the cooking time. They should have very little resistance when pricked with a fork. If the potatoes are still a bit firm, add another 3 to 5 minutes to the timer and check again.

    air fryer baked sweet potatoes
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  5. With tongs, remove the baked sweet potatoes to a platter or individual plates. Split the sweet potatoes and add a pat of butter. Garnish with fresh chopped herbs, if desired.

    baked air fryer sweet potato on a plate with a fork
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Should I Grease the Air Fryer Basket?

Air fryers have a nonstick surface and since the sweet potatoes are coated with oil, that should be sufficient. If you do decide to grease the basket, brush it with a little oil—never use an aerosol nonstick cooking spray.

What Are the Best Toppings and Stuffings for Sweet Potatoes?


Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?

A serving of sweet potato offers a whopping 400 percent of the daily vitamin A requirement and they are rich in potassium, fiber, and beta carotene.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Refrigerate leftover baked sweet potatoes in airtight containers or food storage bags for up to 4 days.
  • To freeze, cool the whole baked sweet potatoes and wrap them in foil. Transfer the wrapped sweet potatoes to zip-close food storage bags and freeze for up to 12 months.

Tips

  • Make sure the sweet potatoes are scrubbed and thoroughly dried before you prepare them with oil and salt.
  • For easier cleanup and softer skin, wrap the individual prepared sweet potatoes in foil.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
122 Calories
2g Fat
24g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 122
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 513mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 22mg 112%
Calcium 44mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 542mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)