Oh my goodness, have you ever bitten into a sweet potato fry so crispy it practically sings? That’s exactly what happened the first time I tried this air fryer sweet potatoes recipe—crispy perfection, no fuss, and ready in under 30 minutes. I was skeptical at first (I mean, sweet potatoes can be tricky!), but the air fryer works magic, turning them golden and crunchy on the outside while keeping that creamy, sweet center. Now, it’s my go-to side dish for weeknight dinners or even a sneaky snack. Trust me, once you discover how easy and delicious these are, you’ll never go back to soggy oven fries again!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Let me tell you why this recipe has become my absolute favorite way to make sweet potatoes:
- Crazy crispy texture – that perfect crunch you get from deep frying, but with way less oil
- Ready in a flash – from prep to plate in under 30 minutes (perfect for those “what’s for dinner?!” nights)
- Simple ingredients – just sweet potatoes, oil, and basic spices you probably already have
- Healthy but indulgent – all the satisfaction of fries without the guilt
- Foolproof method – even my 12-year-old can make these without burning the house down
Seriously, these are so good I sometimes eat them straight from the air fryer basket. No shame!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Here’s all you’ll need to make these crispy little bites of heaven. I promise, it’s nothing fancy – just good, simple ingredients that let the sweet potatoes shine:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes – trust me, uniform size matters!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil if you’re feeling fancy)
- ½ teaspoon salt (I use kosher, but any will do)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground if you’ve got it)
- ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional, but adds a lovely warmth)
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s turn these basics into something magical.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Okay, let’s get cooking! I’ll walk you through each step so your sweet potatoes come out perfectly crispy every single time. It’s so easy you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the oven.
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first – preheat that air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up (takes about 3 minutes in mine), peel your sweet potatoes and cut them into ½-inch cubes. Here’s my secret: use a ruler the first few times until you get the hang of eyeballing it. Uniform pieces = no burnt bits while others are still raw. Learned that the hard way!
Step 2: Season and Toss
Now, toss those beautiful orange cubes in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika if using. My trick? Use your hands! Get in there and massage every single piece – you want each one coated evenly but not drowning. The oil helps the spices stick and creates that gorgeous crispy exterior we’re after.
Step 3: Cook to Crispy Perfection
Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket – no stacking! Cook for 15 minutes, but here’s the crucial part: at the 7-8 minute mark, shake that basket like you’re a bartender making a cocktail. This ensures even browning. After 15 minutes, do a taste test – if they need more crunch, give them another 3-5 minutes. They should be golden brown with slightly caramelized edges. Oh, that smell!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), here are my foolproof tips for absolute perfection:
- Don’t crowd the basket! Give each piece space to crisp up – I do batches if needed
- Shake, don’t stir – A good mid-cook shake prevents sticking better than poking with tongs
- Taste before serving – Sometimes I add an extra pinch of salt right at the end
- Size matters – Keep cubes uniform so nothing burns before everything’s cooked
- Hot start – Always preheat for that instant crispiness when the potatoes hit the basket
Follow these, and you’ll get golden, crispy sweet potatoes every single time. Pinky promise!
Variations for Your Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists to keep things exciting:
- Spicy kick – Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne or chili powder with the paprika
- Garlic lovers – Toss in ½ teaspoon garlic powder before cooking
- Sweet & smoky – Swap paprika for chipotle powder and a drizzle of honey after cooking
- Herb garden – Fresh rosemary or thyme leaves add amazing fragrance
Mix and match – that’s the beauty of this recipe!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
These crispy sweet potatoes are ridiculously versatile! Here’s how I love serving them:
- As a snack – Dunk ‘em in cool ranch dressing or spicy aioli (my guilty pleasure)
- Breakfast upgrade – Toss with fried eggs and avocado for a hearty start
- Burger buddy – Swap fries for these in your next burger night lineup
- Salad topper – Add crunch to kale or spinach salads with goat cheese
Honestly? They rarely make it past the “straight from the basket” phase in my house!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Okay, let’s be real – you probably won’t have leftovers because these are so darn addictive! But if you do, here’s how to keep them crispy: store cooled sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, just pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes. They’ll come out nearly as crisp as the first time – no soggy microwave disasters here!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, these numbers are estimates – your exact counts might vary depending on your sweet potato size and how much oil they actually absorb. But here’s the scoop on what you’re getting per serving (about ½ the recipe):
- 120 calories – pretty light for such a satisfying snack!
- 20g carbs (with 3g fiber – sweet potatoes are fiber champs)
- Only 4g fat (compare that to deep-fried alternatives!)
- 2g protein – not bad for a veggie side
See? Delicious doesn’t have to mean unhealthy. Enjoy that crispy goodness guilt-free!
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve gotten so many questions about these air fryer sweet potatoes since I started sharing the recipe! Here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I leave the skin on the sweet potatoes?
Absolutely! The skins add extra fiber and nutrients. Just scrub them really well first. I sometimes leave skins on when I’m feeling lazy (shh, don’t tell anyone). They’ll get extra crispy and delicious!
Why are my sweet potatoes sticking to the basket?
Two likely culprits: not enough oil or overcrowding. Make sure each piece gets a light coating of oil, and don’t pile them up! A quick shake halfway through cooking helps too.
Can I make these without oil?
You can try, but they won’t get as crispy. The oil helps with browning and texture. If you must skip it, use a light spray of cooking oil instead.
How do I know when they’re done cooking?
Look for golden brown edges and a crispy exterior. Pierce one with a fork – it should slide in easily but still have a bit of resistance.
Can I use frozen sweet potato fries instead?
Sure! Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time. But honestly? Fresh tastes so much better – the texture is unbeatable! If you are looking for other crispy vegetable options, check out this air fryer beet chips recipe.
2-ingredient Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe for Crispy Perfection
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious recipe for crispy air-fried sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Toss the cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check for crispiness and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes if needed.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Cut the sweet potatoes evenly for uniform cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American