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With moist and divinely tender insides, Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes taste like they are baked but cook so much faster! Enjoy them as a snack or side dish with your favorite toppings, or mash their filling to use in recipes.

An overhead shot of an air fryer sweet potato, cut open and topped with butter, salt, and pepper.

If you like baked sweet potatoes, you will love sweet potatoes in the air fryer! They have a slightly crisp exterior and a silky and moist interior, and they cook in just a portion of the time.

In three simple steps and less than 45 minutes, you will have perfectly cooked air fryer whole sweet potatoes, perfect for enjoying hot topped with butter and your favorite topping. Or, scoop the pulp and use it in your favorite recipes! The options are endless. For more air fryer vegetable recipes, check out my Air Fryer Broccolini, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges, and Air Fryer Green Beans.

Two washed sweet potatoes on the counter.

Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes: Choose potatoes with smooth, deep orange-tan skin that are heavy for their size. Store them in a dry and cool place for 2-3 weeks and wash or scrub them to remove debris or dirt before piercing. You can use any type of sweet potato, such as purple or Japanese.

Avocado Oil: This optional oil coats the skin of the potatoes, making it more tender than crisp. If necessary, you can substitute another high-heat oil, such as grapeseed or canola.

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Wondering how to air fry sweet potatoes? I got you! The preparation is simple, just follow these easy steps:

  • Pierce potatoes. Using a fork, pierce each sweet potato about six times. 
  • Coat with oil. If using oil, coat each sweet potato with ½ teaspoon of oil with your hands or a pastry brush.
  • Air fry sweet potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook them at 375°F for 40-45 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and moist on the inside.

Recipe Pro-Tips

  • Pierce the potatoes. As the interior of the potatoes heats, they will let off steam, causing them to expand. Poke the sweet potatoes with around six holes to help the steam vent, preventing bursting.
  • Use oil for tender skin. If you prefer more tender skin, coat the potatoes with 1/2 teaspoon of oil before you cook the sweet potatoes in the air fryer. You can do this with your hands or with a pastry brush.
  • Preheat if directed. Not all air fryer brands require preheating, but you should do so if the manufacturer recommends it when making this sweet potato air fryer recipe. Doing this ensures an even and thorough cooking process.
  • Cook until fork-tender. You will know the air fried sweet potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork. If they are not fork-tender at the end of the directed cooking time, cook the sweet potato in the air fryer for additional 3-5 minute increments until done.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these air fryer sweet potatoes as you would their baked counterparts, topped with vegan butter or coconut oil and salt, as a snack or side dish with nearly any main dish, such as:

You can also scoop the sweet potato pulp, mash it, and use it in any of these recipes:

A close-up shot of an air fryer sweet potato cut open and topped with butter, salt and pepper, and chopped herbs.

Storage Directions

  • Refrigeration: Leftover air fryer baked sweet potatoes keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Cool the potatoes to room temperature before transferring them to a freezer-safe container and freezing them for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or reheat on low heat in the microwave until warmed through.
  • Reheating: Warm the potatoes in an air fryer heated to 350°F for 5-10 minutes or in the microwave for 1-minute bursts or until hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it faster to bake a sweet potato in the air fryer or oven?

It is faster to air fry sweet potatoes than to bake, thanks to the air fryer’s rapidly circulating convection heat. Medium sweet potatoes usually take 60 minutes or more to roast in an oven at 425°F, whereas they take only 40-45 minutes in an air fryer at 375°F.

Do you need to wrap sweet potatoes in foil before air frying?

Sweet potatoes do not need to be wrapped in foil before air frying. The skin seals in the moisture, resulting in moist and tender flesh, eliminating the need for foil. If the potatoes are also wrapped in oil, they will get soggy.

Do I need to soak whole sweet potatoes before air frying?

No, you do not need to soak whole sweet potatoes before air frying. Just scrub them well and pierce them with a fork before adding them to the basket.

How long to cook sweet potatoes in air fryer?

Cook medium-sized whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer at 375°F for 40-45 minutes. Larger potatoes may need more time, and smaller potatoes may need less, so keep an eye on them as they cook.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

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Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

By: Jenné Claiborne
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes taste like their baked equivalent but cook in just a portion of the time! Be sure to pierce the potatoes and brush them with oil if you prefer a tender, rather than crispy, skin. Enjoy them as a snack or side dish with your favorite toppings, or mash their filling to use in recipes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 2 sweet potatoes

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
  • 1 tsp avocado oil, optional (see notes below)

Instructions 

  • Using a fork, pierce each sweet potato about six times.
  • For a tender rather than crisp skin, coat the potatoes with ½ teaspoon of oil each with your hands or a pastry brush.
  • Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook them at 375°F for 40-45 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and moist on the inside.

Notes

Storage Directions
  • Refrigeration: Leftover air fryer baked sweet potatoes keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Cool the potatoes to room temperature before transferring them to a freezer-safe container and freezing them for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Reheating: Warm the potatoes in an air fryer heated to 350°F for 5-10 minutes or in the microwave for 1-minute bursts or until hot.
Recipe Pro-Tips 
  • Pierce the potatoes. As the interior of the potatoes heat, they will let off steam, causing the potatoes to expand. Poke them with around six holes to help the steam vent, preventing them from bursting.
  • Use oil for tender skin. If you prefer tender rather than crispy skin, coat the potatoes with 1/2 teaspoon of oil before cooking. You can do this with your hands or with a pastry brush.
  • Preheat if directed. Not all air fryer brands require preheating, but you should do so if the manufacturer recommends it. Doing this ensures an even and thorough cooking process.
  • Cook until fork-tender. You will know the air fried sweet potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork. If they are not fork-tender at the end of the directed cooking time, add additional cooking time in 3-5 minute increments until done.
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Jenne

I’m a Georgia Peach living in Atlanta, with an insatiable love of sweet potatoes, my family, animals, and cooking. On Sweet Potato Soul you’ll discover hundreds of delicious and easy vegan recipes.

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