How to cook a sweet potato in an air fryer

Learn how to bake sweet potatoes in your air fryer. Ready in less than 20 minutes, they cook perfectly every single time!

How to cook a sweet potato in an air fryer

Air fryers are great for making everything from juicy chicken breasts, to lamb chops, to pork tenderloin. But sweet potatoes? A big YES! 

You may already be familiar with my air fryer sweet potato fries, but have you tried using it to bake whole sweet potatoes? It has the wonderful taste of oven-baked sweet potatoes, but easier and faster, too! It’s our favorite way to cook them!

Table of Contents: hide

Why you’ll love this recipe

Ingredients needed

How to bake sweet potatoes in the air fryer

Tips to make the best recipe

Sweet potato baking times

Storage instructions

More air fryer vegetables to try

Frequently Asked Questions

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Quick and easy. Flip, wait, flip, and that’s it! In less than twenty minutes, the potatoes are cooked to golden perfection.
  • Healthier. Compared to oil and butter roasted potatoes, these have a fraction of the calories!
  • Versatile. Serve with your favorite side meals, or use these as a vehicle for tacos or burritos; they taste great either way. 

What we love about air fryer sweet potatoes is how easy these are to customize. Just like regular baked potatoes, you can use regular spices in your kitchen or keep it simple with a schmear of butter. 

Ingredients needed 

No need to go to the grocery store with a lengthy ingredient list, with just some basics, probably already available in your pantry. Here is what you’ll need: 

  • Sweet potatoes. Any size sweet potatoes will be good for the recipe, but if possible, choose ones of equal size. 
  • Olive oil.
  • Salt and pepper. To taste. 

How to bake sweet potatoes in the air fryer 

No need to turn the oven on, no mess to clean up, and no hassle. Just grab your air fryer and follow the easy steps to cook perfect air fried sweet potatoes. 

Step 1- Prepare sweet potatoes for air frying 

Start with making holes in sweet potatoes and then toss them in the olive oil, salt and pepper before air frying. 

How to cook a sweet potato in an air fryer

Step 2- Cook in the air fryer 

Next, put them in the air fryer basket and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until they are soft. 

How to cook a sweet potato in an air fryer

Step 3- Slice and serve

Finally, cut in the middle to release some steam. Add some butter and/or your favorite toppings. 

How to cook a sweet potato in an air fryer

Tips to make the best recipe 

  • Shake the air fryer basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. 
  • Cook sweet potatoes in batches if you’re making them for a huge gathering or party. Overcrowding can affect cooking time. 
  • If you’d like to enjoy sweet potatoes another way, try air fryer sweet potato fries.

Sweet potato baking times

The ideal temperature to bake the sweet potatoes is 20C/400F. Cooking time may vary, though, based on how big or small the sweet potatoes are. Also, take into consideration if you choose to dice or cube them, too. 

Here are the ideal baking times:

  • Diced sweet potatoes – 7 to 12 minutes 
  • Cubed sweet potatoes – 12 to 15 minutes 
  • Whole sweet potatoes – 20 to 50 minutes 

Storage instructions 

Want to store leftovers for later? Here are the best practices for storing sweet potatoes: 

To store: Put the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. 

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled potatoes in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Reheating: Ideally, reheat the sweet potatoes in the air fryer, but they are fine microwaved too. 

How to cook a sweet potato in an air fryer

More air fryer vegetables to try

  • Brussels sprouts
  • Broccoli
  • Green beans
  • Asparagus
  • Buffalo cauliflower
  • Zucchini

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you soak sweet potatoes before air frying?

It’s not necessary to soak sweet potatoes before air frying because they don’t have the same amount of starch as you get in regular white potatoes.

How to cook a sweet potato in an air fryer

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes

Learn how to bake sweet potatoes in your air fryer. Ready in less than 20 minutes, they cook perfectly every single time!

5 from 35 votes

Print Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 19 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 baked sweet potatoes

Calories: 143kcal

Author: Arman

Ingredients

  • 4 small sweet potatoes washed and scrubbed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Poke holes in the sweet potatoes, then rub them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

  • Place them in the air fryer basket and air fry for 18-20 minutes, or until soft. 

  • Let the sweet potatoes sit for 5 minutes, before slicing and serving.

Notes

Cooking time varies on how big the sweet potatoes are. For medium to large sized potatoes, you will need to increase the air frying time. TO STORE: Put the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. TO FREEZE: Place the cooked and cooled potatoes in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

How long does it take for a sweet potato in an air fryer?

How long does it take to air fry sweet potatoes? Sweet potatoes take about 35-45 minutes to cook at 370F degrees in the air fryer, which is less time than they take in the oven.

Should sweet potatoes be soaked before air frying?

No, you don't have to soak sweet potatoes in water before air frying. Sweet potatoes don't contain as much starch as regular white potatoes so you can skip this step for your sweet potato air fryer fries.

What is the best temperature to cook sweet potatoes at?

Bake sweet potatoes in a 400°F oven for 45-60 minutes. The best temperature to cook sweet potatoes in the oven is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is hot enough to cook the potatoes in under an hour while also not being so hot that they burn.

How long do I cook sweet potato fries in the air fryer for?

Directions.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)..
Cut sweet potato into 1/2-inch wide fries. Place in a bowl with canola oil; toss to coat. ... .
Working in batches if necessary, place an even layer of fries in the air fryer basket..
Cook in the preheated air fryer until golden, about 10 minutes..