Cubed Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer could not be any simpler to throw together and makes the perfect side dish to any meal! They’re crispy on the outer edges, have soft and tender insides and are best served up with all of your favourite dipping sauces!
I love a good sweet potato recipe! You feel me?! They can be as simple as it gets – like these oven baked sweet potatoes. Or a little more complex – like these vegan scalloped sweet potatoes or this year round sweet potato curry recipe. Either way, I just love how you can use them in any which way and automatically know you’re in for something delicious. You don’t have to get elaborate or fancy with it. Buuuuut you can if you want to. From baked, to fried, to grilled, mashed, steamed and now, in the world of air fryers, AIR FRIED to crispy and tender perfection, sweet potatoes are so dang easy to work with and so dang delicious to eat.
I know I’m not the only one who can shamelessly admit that since investing in an air fryer a few years back, I’ve hardly ever turned on the oven. That’s right. I went full on betrayal mode to most of my other kitchen appliances, at least for the first little bit. Trying anything and everything in the air fryer from cookies to beef jerky (yes, it’s also a dehydrator, amongst other things!) to the best dang french fries I ever did have! I really and truly still strongly believe that there ain’t nothing an air fryer can’t do!
So, let’s be real, if my air fryer could talk, it would probably boast about being the serious MVP of my kitchen (and who am I to disagree?!). So, whether you’re a seasoned air fryer pro like I claim to be, just getting started or using this as the sign you desperately needed to go out (RIGHT NOW!) and buy one, air fried sweet potato chunks are a good reason as any to elevate your snack game, impress your friends at your next potluck or simply treat yourself to a delicious and guilt-free indulgence. Trust me, once you taste those perfectly crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside sweet potato chunks, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. So, what are you waiting for?
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE SWEET POTATOES IN AIR FRYER
The beauty about air fryer sweet potato chunks is that you can truly season them however you like! If you just prefer salt and pepper, that’s totally cool and I guarantee you’ll still get delicious tasting sweet potatoes. If you want to get creative, use your favourite spice blends or just throw together some of the ones you already have on hand, then you do you, boo. However, if you’re feeling extra lazy, want to do absolutely 0 thinking when it comes to how you’re going to season these babies (long work day, I feel you) then just know I have you covered for the most perfect (but basic!) seasoning blend that comes together in no time at all. Let’s get into the details of what I used in this recipe for sweet potatoes in air fryer down below:
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of this dish! They provide a sweet and earthy flavour, along with a creamy texture when cooked. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, making them a healthy and nutritious choice. You can either peel them or not, depending on your personal preference.
- Coconut Oil: Used to coat the sweet potatoes before air frying. This helps to ensure that the sweet potatoes get crispy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. Also adds richness and flavour to the dish. However, depending on the flavour profile you’re going for, you can use avocado oil (for a more neutral taste) or olive oil (more balanced flavour) instead, if you prefer.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky and earthy flavour to the sweet potatoes. Paprika also contributes a vibrant red colour, enhancing the visual appeal of the dish. You can use sweet or hot paprika instead, if you prefer.
- Garlic Powder: Provides a savoury and aromatic flavour to the sweet potatoes. It adds depth to the seasoning blend without the need for fresh garlic, which could burn during air frying.
- Onion Powder: Similar to garlic powder, onion powder adds a savoury and slightly sweet flavour to the sweet potatoes. It complements the other seasonings and enhances the overall taste of the dish.
- Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note to the sweet potatoes, balancing out the sweetness and adding complexity to the seasoning blend. Adds a slightly floral and earthy flavour to these cubed sweet potatoes.
- Salt: A crucial seasoning that enhances the natural flavours of the sweet potatoes and other seasonings. It also helps to draw out moisture from the sweet potatoes, contributing to their crispiness when air fried.
- Pepper: Adds a mild heat and pungent flavour to the dish. It complements the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and other seasonings, providing a balanced and well-rounded taste.
HOW TO MAKE SWEET POTATO IN AIR FRYER (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this easy recipe for air fryer sweet potato cubes in the recipe card down below. But here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Try to cut the sweet potatoes into uniform-sized cubes. This ensures that they cook evenly and you don’t end up with some pieces undercooked while others are overcooked.
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl before adding them to the sweet potatoes to coat. This allows for even distribution of all of the ingredients and ensures a burst of flavour in every chunk!
- Make sure to coat the sweet potatoes evenly with the oil and seasoning mixture. This ensures that every piece is well-seasoned and develops a crispy exterior when air fried.
- Don’t overcrowd the ary fryer basket or tray. Arrange the seasoned sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure there is some space between each piece. Overcrowding can prevent proper air circulation, resulting in uneven cooking and becoming soggy instead of crispy. EXTRA TIP: Spray the air fryer basket or tray down with some cooking oil first. This prevents the sweet potatoes from sticking to the air fryer basket or tray.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure that the sweet potatoes cook evenly on all sides. This helps to achieve crispy exteriors without burning. This is an especially important step if you don’t have an air fryer with the ability to circulate air in 360°.
- Check for doneness as all air fryers are different. The sweet potatoes are ready when they are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. You can check for doneness by piercing them with a fork. If the fork goes in easily and the sweet potatoes are golden brown, they are ready to be served.
- Adjust seasonings to taste. Feel free to adjust the seasoning quantities according to your taste preferences. You can increase or decrease the amount of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt and pepper to suit your taste buds. Or, you can get creative and use an entirely different seasoning! EXTRA TIP: Don’t forget the dipping sauces! Here are some of my favourite ones to serve up with these air fried sweet potato chunks: creamy homemade horseradish sauce, Greek yogurt ranch dressing, fresh Blue Cheese dressing, 5 minute garlic aioli, restaurant style chipotle mayo or 3 ingredient spicy mayo.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Microwaving sweet potatoes before air frying is an optional step. It can help reduce the overall cooking time, especially if you’re short on time or prefer a quicker cooking process. However, microwaving sweet potatoes before air frying is not strictly necessary. You can still achieve delicious results by air frying sweet potatoes from raw, although it may take slightly longer to cook them through. Ultimately, whether or not you choose to microwave sweet potatoes before air frying depends on your personal preference and time constraints. If you prefer a faster cooking process or want to ensure a softer texture, microwaving can be a useful step.
The cooking time for sweet potatoes in the air fryer can vary depending on factors such as the size of the sweet potato cubes, the temperature of the air fryer and personal preferences for texture. However, as a general guideline, cubed sweet potatoes typically take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook in the air fryer at a temperature of around 400°F (200°C). You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly based on the size of the sweet potato cubes and your desired level of doneness.
To determine if the sweet potatoes are cooked to your liking, you can pierce them with a fork. They should be tender on the inside and crispy on the outside when they are done. If they need more time, simply continue cooking in the air fryer until they reach your desired level of doneness.
Sweet potatoes can become soggy in the air fryer for a few reasons:
Too Much Moisture: If the sweet potatoes are not dried thoroughly after washing or if they are coated with too much oil, they can retain excess moisture. This moisture can prevent them from crisping up properly in the air fryer.
Overcrowding the Air Fryer Basket: When too many sweet potato cubes are placed in the air fryer basket at once, airflow can be restricted. This leads to uneven cooking and soggy results. It’s important to arrange the sweet potatoes in a single layer with some space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation.
Cooking at Too Low a Temperature: Cooking sweet potatoes at too low a temperature can result in them steaming rather than crisping up. Make sure to cook the sweet potatoes at a high temperature, typically around 400°F (200°C) for optimal results.
To avoid soggy sweet potatoes in the air fryer, make sure to properly dry the sweet potatoes, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, cook at a high temperature, shake the basket halfway through cooking (if necessary) and use dry seasonings. Adjusting these factors can help you achieve perfectly crispy sweet potatoes every time you use the air fryer.
CUBED SWEET POTATO IN AIR FRYER
Cubed Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer could not be any simpler to throw together and makes the perfect side dish to any meal! They're crispy on the outer edges, have soft and tender insides and are best served up with all of your favourite dipping sauces!
Ingredients
- 2-3 medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp Coconut, Olive or Avocado Oil
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with the oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the sweet potatoes and toss until evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them.
- Air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender and crispy on the outside. shaking the basket halfway through if you don't have an air fryer that circulates air 360°. Serve immediately with all of your favourite dipping sauces!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 337mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
LOVE THIS RECIPE? THEN YOU HAVE TO TRY MY RECIPE FOR DINER STYLE HOME FRIES NEXT!
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