5 Star Reader Comment
Thank you! They came out perfect.
— Kim
The Air Fryer Won Me Over On This One
Sweet potatoes are one of those things I almost always have tucked away in the pantry. I grew up eating them, I still cook them all the time, and around here they can show up beside just about anything.
Some nights I keep them simple with butter and a little salt, and other nights I go straight for cinnamon sugar. That’s one of the things I love about them — they can lean sweet or savory depending on what’s for supper.
Once I started making whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer, it became one of those methods I kept coming back to. I’ve made them in both my Ninja 4-quart and a larger 7-quart air fryer, and I love how the skin gets a little crisp while the inside stays soft and fluffy.
It’s simple, dependable, and exactly the kind of side dish I like to have in my back pocket when I want supper to feel good without making it complicated.
What Makes This A Keeper
- Simple prep: wash, dry, pierce, oil, and season.
- Crisp skin and fluffy centers: the hot circulating air cooks the potatoes beautifully all the way through.
- Easy to make sweet or savory: use the cinnamon sugar topping in the recipe, or switch things up to match dinner.
- Great when you don’t need the oven: especially handy when you’re cooking just a few potatoes or the oven is busy.
Donya’s Tips & Things To Know
- Choose sweet potatoes that are close to the same size so they finish cooking at about the same time.
- Dry the potatoes well before rubbing them with oil. That helps the skin cook up nicely instead of steaming.
- Don’t skip poking a few holes with a fork before cooking.
- Air fryers can cook a little differently, so start checking your potatoes as they get close to the 45-minute mark.
- There’s no need to wrap the potatoes in foil. Leaving them uncovered lets the hot air circulate around the skin.
What You’ll Need
- Whole sweet potatoes – medium-size potatoes cook most evenly; wash and dry them well.
- Extra virgin olive oil – helps season the skin and gives it a lightly crisp finish. Avocado oil works, too.
- Kosher salt – for seasoning the outside.
- Granulated sugar and cinnamon – my classic sweet topping. Brown sugar can be substituted.
- Butter – add it while the potato is hot so it melts right in.
Sweet Or Savory — You Pick
I usually serve these with butter and cinnamon sugar, but that’s only one way to finish them. Try a drizzle of maple syrup with a little black pepper, or go savory with butter, sour cream, chives, or fresh herbs. A simple sweet potato can work with just about whatever else is on the table.
How To Cook Whole Sweet Potatoes In The Air Fryer
- Prep the potatoes. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes, then poke several holes in each with a fork.
- Season. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Air fry at 400°F. Place the whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer and cook for about 45 minutes.
- Check for doneness. They’re ready when a fork slides easily into the center. Let them cool for about 5 minutes before splitting open and adding your toppings.
How Long To Cook Sweet Potatoes In The Air Fryer
Sweet potatoes can vary quite a bit in size, so use the cooking time as a guide and check for tenderness with a fork.
| Sweet Potato Size | Air Fryer Temperature | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 400°F | Start checking before 45 minutes |
| Medium | 400°F | About 45 minutes |
| Large | 400°F | Plan on longer than 45 minutes |
Donya’s Tip: Your sweet potato is done when a fork slides easily into the thickest part. If you’re cooking several potatoes that are different sizes, pull the smaller ones out as they become tender and let the larger ones keep cooking.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
If you’re putting your air fryer to work, take a look at my Air Frying At Home guide for more tips and recipes.
If you tried this Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium size sweet potatoes, washed and dried
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- salt
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon butter – divided
Instructions
- Using a fork, poke several holes in sweet potatoes. Sprinkle over olive oil and salt then rub to coat potatoes. Place in air fryer.
- Set air fryer temperature to 400 and cook 45 minutes or until fork tender. Remove potatoes from air fryer and let cool for 5 minutes.
- While potatoes are cooling, mix together sugar and cinnamon. Split potatoes down the middle and sprinkle with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. (Store remaining sugar mixture for future use.) Top with butter and serve.
*Oven Baking Instructions*
- Using a fork, poke several holes in sweet potatoes. Sprinkle over olive oil and salt then rub to coat potatoes. Place on a baking sheet. Set oven to 400 degrees and bake for 45 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
Video
Notes
- This sweet potato recipe is great with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dash of pepper. You can also make a savory version with sour cream and chives or other herbs.
Nutrition
What To Serve With Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
These are an easy side for Crock Pot Chicken Thighs or Sheet Pan Hamburger Steaks. If you’re already using the air fryer, my Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are another simple side-dish method to keep handy.
Sweet Potato Questions, Answered
For medium whole sweet potatoes, cook at 400°F for about 45 minutes, or until a fork slides easily into the center. Larger potatoes may need a little more time and smaller ones may cook faster.
I cook whole sweet potatoes at 400°F. That gives the skin a lightly crisp finish while the center becomes soft and fluffy.
I don’t use a separate preheating step for this recipe. I place the prepared sweet potatoes in the air fryer, set it to 400°F, and cook until fork-tender.
No. For whole air fryer sweet potatoes, leave the skin on. Wash and dry the potatoes well, pierce them with a fork, then rub with oil and salt before cooking.
No. I cook them uncovered so the hot air can circulate around the potatoes and the skin can crisp.
Insert a fork into the thickest part of the potato. When it slides in easily and the center feels soft, the sweet potato is ready.
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Made these tonight while supper was cooking. So easy! I added a tbs of butter and lots of cinnamon sugar to mine. I also added a couple big pinches of Kosher salt to the sugar mix. Fantastic!
Hey there Carolyn!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, making these Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes while the rest of supper is cooking is a great idea! If you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes, they’re creamy, flavorful and super simple to prepare, I’d love to hear what you think. Thank you so much for your kind words and your amazing rating, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
LOve this, thank you for an amazing taste. My taste buds leap.
Hey there Sylvia!
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this easy air fryer recipe, it’s become my new favorite way to make Baked Sweet Potatoes! Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your fantastic rating, let me know if you ever have any questions, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
Oh wow! What is it about the olive oil and salt that made these potatoes so fluffy! I absolutely love this recipe and will be making it often. The cinnamon sugar is a clever way to add some pizzazz to it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hey there Wendy!
I don’t know what it is about the olive oil and salt combination in this recipe, but I swear something magical happens! I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, I totally agree that the cinnamon sugar is what gives the sweet potatoes that extra pizzazz. Since you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, they are just as easy to make and so tasty. Thank you so much for your kind words and your phenomenal rating, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
Found you while looking up sweet potato recipes for air fryer. Have not done a lot of cooking in air fryer
Fryer but thought I try your recipe and see how well my family likes it.
Love the cinnamon sugar twist.
Hey there Linda!
I am so happy to hear you found me, welcome to the Southern Soul family! If you’re getting into Air Frying, I have a post that may be useful, I’ll link it below. This post gives you all the details about air frying, from how the machine works to quick and easy recipes you can try. These Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes are super easy to make, and that cinnamon sugar topping is just irresistible I agree! Please let me know how everything turns out, I’d love to hear what you think about the recipe, I hope you enjoy! If you ever have any questions feel free to reach out!
https://www.asouthernsoul.com/amazing-air-fryer-recipes/
~Donya
If you don’t have olive oil can you use canola or butter instead?
Hey Donna!
You sure can. Let me know how the potatoes turn out. Happy 2022!
~Donya
Great easy recipe! I love sweet potatoes & nice that they are also good for you! Thanks for something so simple yet so good!
Thank you, Donya! I received an airfryer for Christmas and love baked sweet potatoes. Followed your instructions and they came out perfectly. The cinnamon sugar is the perfect touch. I usually put a sprinkle of brown sugar on mine so it was nice to switch up the flavors.
Awesome, Taran!
So happy for you.
Have a wonderful day,
~Donya
Thank you for this recipe I really like you gave a temperature and of how long to cook them.
Wow! That’s a lot of cinnamon and sugar for just two sweet potatoes.
Pat,
If you are referencing the video, as you can see, I only sprinkled a small spoonful and did not give an exact measurement for the potatoes. I keep the mixture of cinnamon and sugar on hand to use on toast, oatmeal and other dishes that I make. I hope this clears things up.
Thanks so much,
Donya
Oh,😋so very good! Turned out really well! I did cook them a little longer since I had 3 that were fairly large. When I checked them, they needed more time. But, otherwise really good recipe! Thanks 😊!
Wow! I can’t remember the last time I had a sweet potato so perfectly cooked. Creamy, tender, and sweet. A little butter and brown sugar completed the perfection. I will never cook sweet potatoes any other way again.
Hey there Randy!
Wow! I completely agree, there is no better way to cook a sweet potato than in the Air Fryer! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thank you so much for your kind words and terrific rating, I appreciate your support! Have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
Air fryer is the way to go! Come out perfect every time. I prefer mine savory with butter, salt and pepper. Seems like the air fryer brings out the natural sweetness of the potato
Hey Deb!
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I completely agree, the Airfryer has your back every time, it’s honestly a life saver! Thank you for your rating, I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
~Donya
I I did a modified versionof this meal for Breakfast in my maxie Aides Airfrier. I even cooked turkey bacon in an Airfrier. I just ran water over the two pieces of meat to remove most of the salt. I flavored my Candy Wams with Coconut Sugar, Cinnomin, and butter. I rubbed the ingredience on the outside. You have to cut it open or slice it for the ingredience to absorb. I hope this makes sense. Looking forward to emails stay safe.
I actually put three pretty large sweet potatoes in for about an hour… And the crazy thing is I left off the cinnamon and sugar… They were some of the best sweet potatoes I’ve ever had!
Hey there!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, it’s great to hear that they turned out well! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the BEST baked potatoes are make in the Air Fryer! I really appreciate your support, if you have any questions about a recipe please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
What watt is your air fryer?
It’s 1500 watts. I used 2 large potatoes which feeds 4 people. Hope this helps.
Thanks!
~Donya
Why do you salt the outside of the potatoes? Also, the recipe says to use medium potatoes, but I see you mentioned using some large potatoes in the comments section, so I assume that’s okay, if there’s room in the air fryer. I have an air fryer/toaster oven and there’s plenty of room for three pretty large potatoes. I baked medium potatoes previously…delicious!….so I guess you’d just bake larger potatoes longer. (It’s over 100 degrees here today and I don’t want turn on the oven.) Love the addition of sugar and cinnamon! And butter, of course.
Hey there Vicki!
I am so happy to hear that you gave this recipe a try, it makes a wonderful side dish for hot days just like you said! I recommend medium potatoes normally because they’re easier to fit into an Air Fryer, but if you have one of the air fryer/toasters and you can fit large potatoes then you can absolutely use them. Like you said, the main concern is the cook time, if you use a larger potato they will have to cook for longer, I would just keep an eye on them and test with a fork to see when they’re done. Thank you so much for your kind words and your support, I am so glad that you enjoyed this tasty recipe!
~Donya
why does it take 45 minutes to cook?
Hey there Michele!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re going to love it! The Air Fryer doesn’t cook food faster than an oven, it just acts as a convection oven circulating the heat throughout the entire machine, so it takes about the same amount of time to Air Fry Sweet Potatoes as it does to bake them. That being said, this recipe is an ideal side dish when you’re using your oven to cook your main dish or other sides. It’s also great for nights when you don’t want a huge cleanup after dinner. I hope this is helpful, let me know how everything turns out if you give the recipe a try!
~Donya