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Craving a fluffy, crispy-skin baked sweet potato that cooks fast, tastes indulgent, and works for busy weeknights? This air fryer method nails texture, shares precise Air Fryer Cooking Times by size, and shows you how to turn leftovers into Sweet Potato Hash Air Fryer and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries without fuss—save this for your next quick win. We’ll also cover How Long To cook Sweet Potatoes In an Air Fryer for small, medium, and large potatoes, so you’re never guessing again.
Why you’ll love this recipe
A baked sweet potato should be simple and reliably delicious, and the air fryer is the most consistent way to get there on a weeknight timeline.
- Fast and fluffy: Hot circulating air crisps the skin while keeping the center moist, so you get steakhouse texture in less time than the oven, with predictable Air Fryer Cooking Times.
- Versatile building block: Make a classic loaded potato, or spin leftovers into Sweet Potato Hash Air Fryer or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with minimal prep and maximum payoff.
- Beginner-friendly: Clear doneness cues, step-by-step timing, and options whether you use a drawer model, an Air Fryer Oven Recipes setup, or a Cooks Air Fryer brand model at home.
Ingredient information
Keep it simple—quality and technique do the heavy lifting here.
- Sweet potatoes: Choose medium, evenly sized tubers for uniform cooking. The skins should be firm, with no soft spots.
- Olive oil: A thin coat promotes even browning and shatter-crisp skin.
- Kosher salt + black pepper: Seasoning the skin adds texture and flavor; add more after fluffing.
- Optional spices: Cinnamon for cozy sweetness, smoked paprika for savory depth, or garlic powder for an umami lift.
- Toppings: Butter, Greek yogurt or sour cream, chives, flaky salt; for dairy-free, try olive oil and scallions.
- For spin-offs: Bell peppers and onions for hash; paprika and cornstarch for fries; maple syrup or tahini for a drizzle finish.
Step-by-step instructions
These directions work across most basket and oven-style air fryers, including Cooks Air Fryer and similar New Air Fryer Recipes models; the timing guide below covers a range so you can match potato size precisely.
- Prep the potatoes
- Scrub and dry thoroughly; dry skins are essential for crisping.
- Pierce each potato 6–8 times to vent steam and prevent splitting.
- Rub lightly with olive oil; season with kosher salt and black pepper all over.
- Preheat and arrange
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for best skin blistering and even heat transfer.
- Place potatoes in a single layer with space between for airflow; avoid stacking.
- Cook to tender
- Air fry, turning once halfway, until the skin is crisp and a skewer slides through with little resistance.
- Internal temp near 205°F yields the fluffiest centers; if the skin browns too fast, finish at 370°F.
- Rest and finish
- Rest 5 minutes to allow steam to settle; split lengthwise, fluff with a fork, season, and add toppings.
Air Fryer Cooking Times by size
Use these ranges to eliminate guesswork; differences come from potato width and moisture content, as well as basket vs. oven-style units.
- Small (6–8 oz / 170–225 g): 28–35 minutes at 390°F, turn once.
- Medium (9–12 oz / 255–340 g): 35–45 minutes at 390°F, turn once.
- Large (13–16 oz / 370–455 g): 45–55 minutes at 390°F; if browning too quickly, reduce to 370°F to finish.
Pro tips: Start checking 5 minutes before the low end of each range; skin should feel taut and crackly, and a probe should glide in easily.
Storage information
Batching a few on Sunday pays off all week—texture holds well and reheats beautifully in an air fryer.
- Refrigerate: Cool completely; store whole or split, in an airtight container, up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 6–10 minutes until warmed through and skin re-crisps; avoid microwaving to protect texture.
- Freeze: Scoop flesh into portions, freeze up to 3 months; defrost overnight and reheat gently, or re-crisp skins separately if you saved them.
- Make-ahead tip: Bake a double batch and dedicate leftovers to Sweet Potato Hash Air Fryer or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries later in the week.
Helpful tips
These small decisions deliver big texture improvements and consistent results across models, including Air Fryer Oven Recipes styles.
- Dry thoroughly: Any surface moisture inhibits browning and delays crisping.
- Size-match potatoes: Mixing sizes in one basket leads to uneven doneness; cook in batches by size.
- Oil lightly, not heavily: Too much oil softens skins; a thin sheen is enough for blistering.
- Use a skewer test: Don’t rely only on time; width and water content vary, especially on large potatoes.
- Finish at lower temp if needed: If skin is done before center, drop to 370°F to finish gently without over-browning.
Variations
Leverage the base baked-sweet-potato into multiple meals with minimal extra effort; times below work in most basket and oven-style units.
- Savory herb butter: Mash butter with chives, parsley, lemon zest, and a pinch of garlic powder; dollop on the hot potato.
- Maple-chili finish: Drizzle maple syrup, dust with chili powder or smoked paprika, and add flaky salt for sweet-heat contrast.
- Greek yogurt and dill: Tangy, high-protein topping that balances sweetness; add cracked pepper and olive oil.
- Tahini-lime drizzle: Stir tahini with lime juice, warm water, and cumin for a nutty, dairy-free sauce.
- Loaded veggie bowl: Split a potato, add sautéed spinach, roasted chickpeas, and a spoonful of salsa verde for a hearty plant-forward meal.
Spin-offs using your air fryer
- Sweet Potato Hash Air Fryer: Dice leftover flesh and some skin; toss with oil, salt, pepper; air fry 8–12 minutes at 400°F, shaking once; add onions and peppers pre-softened, then finish with herbs; top with fried eggs.
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries: Cut 1/4–3/8-inch sticks; toss with 1 tsp oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; optionally dust with 1 tsp cornstarch for extra crunch; air fry 12–18 minutes at 380–400°F, shaking twice.
- Twice-baked: Scoop centers, mix with Greek yogurt, chives, and paprika; refill skins; air fry 6–8 minutes at 375°F until tops are lightly browned.
- Cinnamon dessert potato: Add butter, cinnamon, and a touch of maple; finish with toasted pecans or granola for crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How Long Do You Cook Sweet Potatoes In an Air Fryer? Match the size: small 28–35 min, medium 35–45 min, large 45–55 min at 390°F, turning once; check early and use a skewer.
- What internal temperature signals fluffy centers? Around 205°F in the center gives the most tender, cottony texture without dryness.
- Do you need to pierce the skin? Yes—venting prevents splitting and keeps skins crisp rather than soggy.
- Can this work in an Air Fryer Oven Recipes model? Yes, use the same temps, but expect the long end of the range because of the larger cavity volume.
- Can you start in the microwave? Microwave 3–5 minutes to jumpstart, then air fry 15–20 minutes for crispy skin; check tenderness with a probe.
- Best oil? Neutral or olive oil in a very thin coat; too much oil softens the exterior.
- How do you re-crisp leftovers? Air fry at 350°F for 6–10 minutes; don’t microwave if you care about crackly skin.
- Are fries better from raw or from leftovers? Both work—leftovers cook faster and get crisp quickly; raw fries need 12–18 minutes with two shakes for even browning.
- What if the skin browns before the center is done? Lower to 370°F to finish to tenderness without overcoloring.
- Which air fryers does this work with? Basket styles, Air Fryer Oven Recipes designs, and common brands like Cooks Air Fryer follow the same method; adjust time by potato size and your unit’s heat profile.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
Browse elitesrecipes.com for more fast weeknight sides and New Air Fryer Recipes ideas, including Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, roasted vegetables, and skillet-friendly dishes that pair beautifully with baked sweet potatoes all season long.
Could you share it on Pinterest?
If this baked-sweet-potato method becomes your weeknight staple, save this guide, try the Sweet Potato Hash Air Fryer and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries variations, and follow for more Air Fryer Cooking Times and approachable dinner ideas
PrintEasy Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
Fluffy, crispy-skin baked sweet potato made fast in the air fryer. Clear cooking times by size, simple ingredients, and reliable doneness cues. Includes ideas for sweet potato hash and air fryer sweet potato fries for easy weeknight variations.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35–45 mins
- Total Time: 45–55 mins
- Yield: 2–4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
– 2–4 medium sweet potatoes (9–12 oz each)
– 1–2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp kosher salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– Optional: 1/2 tsp cinnamon or 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
– For serving: butter or Greek yogurt, chopped chives, flaky salt
Instructions
1. Scrub sweet potatoes and pat completely dry. Pierce each 6–8 times with a fork.
2. Rub lightly with olive oil; season skins with kosher salt and black pepper. Add cinnamon or smoked paprika if using.
3. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Arrange potatoes in a single layer with space between them.
4. Air fry 35–45 minutes for medium potatoes, turning once halfway. Start checking at 35 minutes.
5. Doneness cues: skin feels crisp, a skewer slides in with little resistance, and center temp is near 205°F.
6. Rest 5 minutes. Split, fluff with a fork, and top with butter or Greek yogurt and chives. Season to taste.
7. For fries or hash with leftovers: cut, season, and air fry following the notes timings.
Notes
Air Fryer Cooking Times by size:
– Small (6–8 oz): 28–35 min at 390°F, turn once
– Medium (9–12 oz): 35–45 min at 390°F, turn once
– Large (13–16 oz): 45–55 min at 390°F; reduce to 370°F if browning fast
Leftover spin-offs:
– Sweet Potato Hash (air fryer): 8–12 min at 400°F, shake once, add onions/peppers
– Sweet Potato Fries (air fryer): 12–18 min at 380–400°F, shake twice
Storage & Reheat:
– Refrigerate up to 4 days; reheat 6–10 min at 350°F in air fryer for crisp skin.
Pro tip: Dry skins thoroughly; moisture inhibits crisping.