Baked sweet potatoes are on the meal planner for tonight! But you got stuck in traffic on the way home and there’s no time to bake. Or is there? Grab your air fryer and with this quick method you’ll have fluffy, pillow-centred sweet potatoes on the table in under 20 minutes.
Save oven space and speed up Sunday lunch with crispy air fryer potatoes—perfect roasties ready in about 20 minutes, and the oven stays free.
Baked sweet potato in the air fryer
The main reason to use an air fryer for sweet potatoes is speed. For an even faster result, microwave them briefly first. Typical timings:
Oven-only baked sweet potato: 40–50 minutes.
Air fryer-only baked sweet potato: 35–40 minutes.
Microwave then air fryer: 15–20 minutes total.
Times vary by potato size, but the microwave-then-air-fryer method is a clear time-saver.
Texture is another advantage. Sweet potatoes contain more water than regular potatoes; prick the skins to let steam escape and you’ll get a light, feathery centre. They’re also less starchy, and during cooking that starch breaks down into sugars, giving a naturally sweet, caramelized finish.
Easy sweet potato recipes
Because they cook quickly and have a rich, nutty sweetness, sweet potatoes are ideal for busy cooks. They work across soups, stews, sides, mains and even desserts—versatile and forgiving.
Here are a few easy ways to use baked sweet potatoes:
- Roasted butternut squash and sweet potato soup
- Sweet potato and swede mash
- Savoury sweet potato casserole
- Chicken and sweet potato curry
Recipe tips and notes
- Pre-cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave before finishing in the air fryer shortens total cooking time and helps ensure a fluffy centre.
- Baking concentrates sweet potatoes’ natural sugars, creating a lovely sweet, cotton-candy-like interior.
- Sweet potato skins often become tough and chewy when baked. If you prefer a tender bite, skip rubbing oil on the skin and discard it after cooking.
- Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet; they usually don’t need added sugar. A pinch of salt and bold toppings are often all that’s required.
Serving suggestions
Whole baked sweet potatoes can be served as a side or a main. Sort potatoes by size: smaller tubers make excellent sides, while larger ones become a satisfying main loaded with toppings and a simple salad.
For a twist on the classic jacket potato with beans, try spicy baked beans with chimichurri or other bold sauces. Smaller sweet potatoes pair beautifully with hearty mains—slow-cooked pot roast with gravy, Spanish chicken in bravas sauce, or chile verde—where the fluffy flesh soaks up sauces and stews.
Storage and leftovers
Cooked air fryer sweet potatoes stored airtight will keep in the fridge for 3–5 days. They’re handy to have ready: add them to casseroles or soups in place of regular potatoes, or mash them into a half-and-half mash for added nutrition and flavour.
Other air fryer recipes to try
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce
- Air Fryer Greek Fries
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2-4 sweet potatoes, medium
- salt to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
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Wash and dry the potatoes and prick them all over with the tip of a sharp knife. Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
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Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Place the microwaved sweet potatoes in the air fryer and cook 10–12 minutes until soft and fluffy inside. Piercing with a knife should meet no resistance; thicker potatoes may need a couple more minutes.
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Slice lengthwise, fluff the flesh with a fork, season with salt and pepper and finish with a knob of butter or your favourite toppings. Note: sweet potato skins can be tough—discard if you prefer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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