Cooking sweet potatoes in an air fryer is simple and satisfying. Not only do air-fried sweet potatoes retain more nutrients, but they also cook faster, leaving you more time to concentrate on the fun bit, i.e. eating!
Let's dive into the step-by-step process to get those perfect sweet potato fries, wedges and chips every time.
Benefits of air-frying sweet potatoes
Air frying sweet potatoes is a fantastic choice for health-conscious and time-pressed cooks. For starters, air frying uses less oil than deep frying, making air frying a healthier option. It also cooks food quickly, saving you time. Plus, the air fryer's hot air circulation helps to create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender, serving up sweet potatoes with a delicious and satisfying texture.
Preparing sweet potatoes for air frying
Before you start cooking, it's important to prepare your sweet potatoes properly. Here’s how you can do it:
Selecting sweet potatoes: Choose sweet potatoes that are firm and free of blemishes. They should feel heavy for their size. If your sweet potatoes are feeling a little light, it could be that they’re old and a little dried up.
Washing: Rinse the sweet potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
Peeling: You can leave the skin on for added fibre and nutrients or peel it off if you prefer a smoother texture. Classic wedges should be skin-on, but if you’re after fries you can peel them entirely.
Cutting: Depending on the recipe, you can cut the sweet potatoes into fries, wedges or chips. For fries and chips, slice them on the thinner. For wedges, cut them into thick triangular slices.
Chef’s tip: Use a mandoline to get thin, even slices.
Air fryer sweet potato fries
Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
Half teaspoon paprika
Quarter teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
In a bowl, toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren’t overcrowded.
Air fry for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the fries are golden and crispy.
Serve hot with your favourite dips.
Air fryer sweet potato wedges
Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon thyme
Quarter teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (360°F).
In a bowl, toss the sweet potato wedges with olive oil, spices and seasoning.
Arrange the wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren’t touching.
Air fry for 8 minutes. Then flip the wedges over and air fry for another 4 minutes.
Poke one with a sharp knife or skewer to check the inside is soft.
Leave to cool for a few minutes.
Serve as a snack or as a side.
Air fryer sweet potato chips
NB: We’re keeping our chips simple by only adding salt – but feel free to season or spice them as you like.
Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, cut into a slim or chunky chip
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
In a bowl, toss the sweet potato slices with olive oil and sea salt.
Place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If the chips are touching, making sure to give the basket a regular shake.
Air fry for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until the chips are crispy and golden.
Serve hot.
Chef’s tip: Dust the chips with cornflour before adding the oil for a crispier exterior.
Tips for achieving perfect air-fried sweet potatoes
To get the best results when air frying sweet potatoes, keep these tips in mind:
Temperature settings: Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature for each recipe. To get that crispy exterior, it’s important that your air fryer is hot before adding the sweet potatoes.
Cooking durations: Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your sweet potato slices and your air fryer model. The above is only a guide and the great thing about air fryers is that it’s easy to add extra time if needed.
Avoid overcrowding: Air fryers work best when the heat has space to circulate. Make sure the sweet potatoes are in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
Shake the basket: Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure all sides get crispy.
Pat dry: For extra crispy fries, pat the sweet potato slices dry with a paper towel before adding oil and seasoning.
Serving suggestions and creative uses
Air-fried sweet potatoes are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some creative ideas:
Side dish: Serve them alongside your favourite main course for a flavourful side. They go great with Piri piri chicken or pork chops. Pop them into a falafel wrap as an amazing filling!
Salads: Once your wedges or chips are done, leave them to cool, cut them finer and throw them into a salad.
Bowls: Use air-fried sweet potato fries as a topping for bowls, adding a sweet and savoury element.
Switch up the spices: Bored of paprika? Use harissa. Want an Indian kick? Add cumin and coriander.
FAQs
How long to cook sweet potato fries in an air fryer?
Sweet potato fries typically take about 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 200°C. The exact time and temperature can vary depending on the thickness of the slices and your type of air fryer.
Do I need to soak sweet potatoes before air frying?
Soaking sweet potatoes before air frying is not necessary, but it can help reduce the starch content and make them crispier. If you choose to soak them, do so for about 30 minutes and make sure they’re fully dry before air frying.
How to store and reheat air-fried sweet potatoes?
Store air-fried sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wedges should survive best, though thin cut fries might dry out. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 175°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through.
What’s next?
If you’re looking for air fryer recipes, you’re in the right place. From air fryer chicken drumsticks to air fryer gammon and even air fryer carrots. We’ve got enough for a banquet!
