Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

published: Feb 24, 2023

Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes, Made in the Air Fryer!

If you’re a fan of sweet potatoes like I am, then you probably make dishes like Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Sweet Potato Pie, and Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows – the classics! These dishes are scrumptious and fun to make, especially for special occasions. But what about making something a little simpler, like a baked sweet potato?

Serving a basic baked sweet potato is a great way to add this wholesome carb to your meals throughout the year, rather than waiting for the holidays. I like making baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer, because air fryer sweet potatoes cook up even faster than oven-baked ones, with all of the flavor and texture you expect from a good baked sweet potato. Plus, it’s easy to do, with no hassle.

Looking to cook a regular baked potato instead? Here’s my favorite Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe!

Air fryer sweet potatoes on a plate with butter and herbs.

Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?

Definitely! Sweet potatoes are loaded with nutritional benefits. They’re famously high in vitamin A, as well as fiber. You’ll also get vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and lots of other nutrients in a serving of sweet potatoes.

A sweet potato, olive oil, and salt and pepper.

What You’ll Need

This little recipe is a four-ingredient showstopper. This is all you’ll need to make the perfect air fryer sweet potato:

Sweet Potato: You can use any type, whether orange (such as Garnet or Jewel), purple, or Japanese.
Olive Oil: Or another fairly neutral-tasting cooking oil of your choice.
Salt
Pepper: Freshly ground or cracked black pepper. You can leave this out if you don’t like pepper with your sweet potatoes.

Yams baked and cut open. Two have butter on top, and one has a fork next to it.

How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Cooking a tender, moist, and flavorful sweet potato doesn’t get any easier than this – it’s so simple, you’ll want to air-fry sweet potatoes every week!

Prep the Sweet Potatoes. To prepare the sweet potatoes for air frying, poke 8 – 10 holes in the sweet potato with a fork, making sure to poke it fairly evenly on all sides. Then drizzle the olive oil all over the potato, and sprinkle on the salt and pepper. Use your hands to rub the olive oil in and over the sweet potato evenly.

Air Fry! Now place the sweet potato in the air fryer, and cook it at about 390°F for 25 minutes, or until it’s tender inside. You can test for tenderness by piercing through the skin with a fork or knife, all the way to the middle. If it’s hard to push the knife or fork in, then the sweet potato isn’t quite done. Air fry for a few more minutes at a time, as needed.

A baked sweet potato in an air fryer basket.

Fluff and Serve. Once the sweet potato is tender, slice down the center of the sweet potato (without cutting all the way through) and fluff the inside with a fork. Serve the sweet potato hot, with butter and parsley for garnish, if desired.

One baked sweet potato next to one split sweet potato with butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

Every air fryer is different, so I recommend doing whatever the manufacture recommends for your particular air fryer. Some air fryers need preheating and some do not.

Can I start my potato in the microwave to save time?

Absolutely! I do this often! Follow my directions for a Microwave Baked Potato and cook it 1 minute less than called for in the recipe. After cooking the potato in the microwave, transfer it to the air fryer to finish cooking, about 10 minutes of cooking time (until the center is cooked through). This will produce a baked potato with a crispy outside and soft inside in a fraction of the time!

Do I have to poke holes in the potato?

I have done it both ways without an issue. However, I advise you to go ahead and poke a few holes just in case. No one wants to clean up exploded sweet potato!

How Long Does It Take to Cook Sweet Potatoes in an Air Fryer?

So just how long should you bake a sweet potato? Baking times will vary slightly depending on the size of your potato. For a smaller sweet potato, start checking it at around 20 minutes. Medium potatoes should cook in around 25 minutes. Large sweet potatoes take 30 minutes or so. An extra large sweet potato will take closer to 40 minutes.

Close-up shot of yams split open with pats of butter.

Tips for Success

Need tips? You’re in the right place. These helpful tips and tricks will ensure that your air fryer sweet potatoes turn out just right, every time.

Poking Holes in the Sweet Potato: I honestly often don’t poke holes in the sweet potato, and I have never had an issue with them exploding in the air fryer. However, just to be safe, you may want to go ahead and poke a few holes.
Shorter Cooking Time: If you want to bake your sweet potato faster, you can start it in the microwave. Microwave it for 3 to 4 minutes to get the sweet potato started, and then move it to the air fryer to finish.
Use Foil: You can wrap the sweet potato in foil before baking it if you like. This can help keep any sweet, sticky juices off of the air fryer basket.

Lifting a baked sweet potato out of an air fryer.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

An air fryer sweet potato makes a great vegetarian lunch option, served with your favorite toppings and maybe a side salad. You can also serve them as part of a larger meal, with a main course like…

Pork Chops: A buttery, baked sweet potato is the perfect complement to hearty Chuleta Frita, or Puerto Rican pork chops. This bold, flavorful dinner combination will make your mouth happy! Or this Stuffed Pork Loin is wonderful if you are looking for a fancier dinner!
Chicken: This recipe for the Best Baked Chicken is a great healthy dinner when you add a sweet potato! Or this Rosemary Honey Mustard Chicken would also be great!
Squash: Tender summer squash gets an ultra-flavorful upgrade in this zesty Calabacitas recipe. Tomatoes, corn, crema, and queso fresco make this dish so yummy, while a sweet potato on the side makes it a light vegetarian meal.

Storing and Reheating

Air fryer sweet potatoes can be stored for up to four days in the refrigerator, in a zip-top bag or another airtight container. You can reheat it in the microwave, air fryer, or even just the oven.

Do Sweet Potatoes Freeze Well?

In general, sweet potatoes freeze just fine for reheating and adding to recipes. You can freeze these by cooling them down and then wrapping them in a layer of foil or plastic, followed by a second layer or a freezer bag. Mark with the date, and use within six months. Thaw them out in the fridge before reheating.

Yield: 1