Tender on the inside, wonderfully crisp on the outside, and perfectly seasoned, air fryer sweet potato cubes are a culinary revelation! This incredibly quick and easy method has become a go-to for transforming humble sweet potatoes into a delightful side dish or a nutritious snack. Whether you’re planning a festive holiday meal, a casual weeknight dinner, or simply looking for a wholesome, low-effort addition to your plate, these golden nuggets are sure to impress. Forget soggy, oven-roasted versions or greasy deep-fried alternatives; the air fryer delivers unparalleled texture and flavor with minimal fuss and fat. Get ready to elevate your sweet potato game!
🍠 Why Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes Are a Must-Try
- Irresistibly Delicious and Versatile: These air fryer sweet potato cubes are seasoned with a simple yet incredibly flavorful blend of spices that truly highlights their natural sweetness. The magic of the air fryer ensures each cube develops a beautiful, crispy exterior while remaining wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside. This delightful texture contrast makes them an instant favorite. Their versatile flavor profile means they pair beautifully with virtually any main course – from roasted chicken and grilled fish to savory steaks or plant-based proteins. They also make a fantastic standalone snack, an excellent addition to breakfast bowls, or a vibrant side for holiday feasts.
- Effortless and Rapid Preparation: If you’re seeking a quick and easy way to enjoy sweet potatoes, look no further. Once you’ve completed the minimal prep work of peeling, cubing, and seasoning the sweet potatoes, your air fryer takes over almost entirely. The cooking process is incredibly hands-off, requiring just one quick shake of the basket halfway through to ensure even browning and maximum crispiness. This foolproof method guarantees perfect results every time, even for beginner cooks. Plus, thanks to the air fryer, cleanup is a breeze, making this recipe a true weeknight warrior.
- A Nutritional Powerhouse: Sweet potatoes are celebrated for their impressive nutritional benefits, packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. By preparing them in the air fryer, you use significantly less oil compared to traditional deep frying, making this a much healthier option. You get all the incredible flavor and satisfying texture without the excess fat, making these cubes an excellent choice for a balanced and wholesome diet. They’re a smart, delicious way to add more vibrant vegetables to your daily meals, boosting your intake of essential nutrients like Vitamin A and C.
👩🏼🍳 Expert Tips for Achieving Sweet Potato Perfection
- Unleash Your Creativity with Seasonings: The beauty of these air fryer sweet potato cubes lies in their adaptability. While our basic blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper is a crowd-pleaser, don’t hesitate to customize the seasonings to suit your taste or complement your main dish.
- Savory Enhancements: For an herbier profile, consider adding dried rosemary, thyme, or sage. A pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder will introduce a lovely depth and subtle warmth. For a touch of heat, sprinkle in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Sweet Indulgence: If you prefer a sweeter touch, especially for breakfast or dessert-like sides, a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice works wonders. A light sprinkle of brown sugar (added halfway through cooking to prevent burning) or a drizzle of maple syrup (added after cooking) can transform them into a decadent treat.
- Global Flavors: Explore international inspirations with a sprinkle of curry powder, cumin, or even a za’atar blend. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to tailor the flavor to any culinary theme.
- Mastering the Art of Batch Cooking: This recipe is incredibly easy to scale up for larger gatherings or for meal prepping throughout the week. However, the golden rule for crispy air-fried perfection is to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Air circulation is paramount; each sweet potato cube needs ample space for the hot air to reach all its surfaces. If the basket is too full, the potatoes will steam instead of crisp, resulting in a soggy texture. When doubling or tripling the recipe, simply work in batches. Once cooked, you can keep earlier batches warm in a low oven (around 200°F / 95°C) while the subsequent batches cook. This ensures everyone gets to enjoy perfectly crispy, hot sweet potatoes.
- Uniformity for Even Cooking: To guarantee that every sweet potato cube cooks through at the same rate and achieves that ideal balance of tender interior and crispy exterior, consistent cubing is key. Aim for roughly 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. If some pieces are significantly smaller, they might burn before the larger ones are cooked. Conversely, larger pieces will take longer and might remain undercooked in the center. Taking a few extra moments to cut your sweet potatoes evenly will pay dividends in the final texture and taste.
- The Power of Dryness: Before tossing your sweet potato cubes with oil and seasonings, ensure they are thoroughly dry. Excess moisture on the surface can prevent them from crisping up properly in the air fryer. After rinsing, pat them vigorously with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels until they feel completely dry to the touch. This simple step is crucial for achieving that desirable golden-brown, crunchy exterior.
♨️ More Delightful Air Fryer Side Dishes We Adore
The air fryer is a versatile appliance, perfect for whipping up a variety of incredible side dishes. If you loved these sweet potato cubes, be sure to explore some of our other favorite easy recipes:
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
15 minutes
15 minutes
30 minutes
Cheryl Malik
2
servings
Note: Servings can be easily adjusted. For larger quantities, cook in batches.
Ingredients
-
1
large
sweet potato
approximately 8 ounces, peeled and cubed evenly -
1
tablespoon
neutral oil
such as avocado oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil, for coating -
½
teaspoon
garlic powder -
½
teaspoon
onion powder -
¼
teaspoon
freshly cracked black pepper
adjust to your preferred taste -
½
teaspoon
salt
or to taste, sea salt recommended
Equipment
- Vegetable scrub brush for thoroughly cleaning the sweet potato
- Clean dish towel or sturdy paper towels, essential for drying the potatoes
- Potato peeler to remove the skin efficiently
- Cutting board for safe and stable chopping
- Sharp knife for even and precise cubing
- Large mixing bowl for tossing sweet potatoes with oil and seasonings
- Silicone spatula for easy mixing and handling
- Air Fryer basket or oven-style, essential for this recipe
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Allowing the air fryer to fully preheat ensures that the sweet potatoes start cooking immediately upon contact, leading to a crispier exterior.
- Thoroughly rinse and scrub 1 large sweet potato under cold running water, removing any dirt or debris. Once clean, pat the sweet potato completely dry with a clean dish towel or paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispiness. Then, using a potato peeler, carefully peel the sweet potato entirely.
- Place the peeled sweet potato on a cutting board. Carefully cut the sweet potato into uniform, bite-sized cubes, aiming for pieces approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size. Ensuring the cubes are as equally sized as possible is vital for even cooking and consistent texture.
- Transfer the cubed sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of neutral oil over the potato cubes. Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, and ½ teaspoon salt. Use a silicone spatula or your hands to gently stir or toss the ingredients together until all the sweet potato cubes are completely and evenly coated in the oil and seasonings.
- Remove the air fryer basket from the preheated air fryer. Transfer the seasoned sweet potato cubes into the basket, spreading them out into a single, even layer. It’s essential not to overcrowd the basket, as proper air circulation is necessary for them to become truly crispy. If you have a larger batch, cook in two or more batches.
- Return the basket to the air fryer. Air fry the sweet potato cubes for 6 minutes. After this time, remove the basket from the air fryer and give it a good shake to toss and flip the potato cubes. This ensures all sides get exposed to the hot air, promoting even browning and crispiness. Spread the potatoes into an even layer again and return the basket to the air fryer.
- Continue to air fry the potatoes for another 6 minutes. At this point, begin checking their doneness. The total cooking time can vary between air fryer models. Continue air frying, checking the potatoes every 60 seconds thereafter, until the potato cubes are cooked through, with wonderfully tender insides and a deliciously crispy, golden-brown outer layer. A fork should easily pierce the center of a cube.
- Once you are satisfied with the doneness and crispiness of your sweet potato cubes, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer. Taste a piece and adjust seasonings with additional salt or pepper if desired. Serve them warm immediately to enjoy their optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- Servings: The approximate number of servings provided is a guideline. Actual number of servings will naturally vary based on the size of your sweet potato and how large or small you cut your cubes. While you can certainly cook any quantity of sweet potatoes using this method, always remember to work in batches as needed to rigorously avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. A crowded basket leads to steaming, not crisping.
- Cook Times: Please note that air fryer models can differ significantly in their wattage and efficiency, meaning cook times will vary from one appliance to another. Always use the specified cook times as an initial guide, and then adjust as necessary based on the performance of your specific air fryer and your personal preference for texture and crispiness. Be vigilant to avoid overcooking, as this can result in dry, tough, or even burnt sweet potato cubes.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftover air fryer sweet potato cubes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat and restore their crispiness, spread them in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crisp again.
- Make Ahead: You can peel and cube the sweet potato a day in advance. Store the cubes submerged in cold water in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Drain thoroughly and pat very dry before proceeding with the oiling and seasoning steps.
Nutrition Information
Serving:
1
serving
|
Calories:
164
kcal
|
Protein:
2
g
|
Fat:
7
g
|
Saturated Fat:
1
g
|
Total Carbs:
24
g
|
Fiber:
4
g
|
Sugar:
5
g
|
Net Carbs:
20
g
|
Vitamin C:
3
mg
|
Sodium:
645
mg
|
Potassium:
399
mg
|
Calcium:
38
mg
|
Iron:
1
mg
The number of total servings shown is an approximation. The actual number of servings you get will ultimately depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values provided are general guidelines only and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above, not including any optional ingredients or variations. Actual macronutrients may vary slightly based on specific brands, types of ingredients used, and cooking methods.
To precisely determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the entire finished recipe (excluding the weight of the container) and then divide this total weight by your desired number of servings. The result will provide the exact weight of one serving.
Cheryl Malik
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to peel sweet potatoes for air frying?
Peeling sweet potatoes before air frying is entirely optional and comes down to personal preference. The skin of sweet potatoes is thin and edible, packed with extra fiber and nutrients. If you choose to leave the skin on, ensure you scrub the sweet potatoes very well to remove any dirt. Leaving the skin on can also contribute to a slightly chewier, crispier texture, while peeled cubes tend to be softer on the inside.
Can I use frozen sweet potato cubes in the air fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely air fry frozen sweet potato cubes! It’s a fantastic shortcut for busy days. You typically don’t need to thaw them first. Just toss the frozen cubes with a tablespoon of oil and your desired seasonings. The cooking time will be slightly longer, usually around 20-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shaking the basket every 5-7 minutes, until they are golden brown and tender. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times can vary depending on the thickness and size of the frozen cubes.
How do I store leftover air fryer sweet potato cubes?
Leftover air fryer sweet potato cubes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results when reheating, we recommend using your air fryer again. Simply spread the cold cubes in a single layer in the basket and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and have regained their desired crispiness. Reheating in the microwave is possible but will result in a softer texture.
What if my sweet potatoes aren’t crispy enough?
Several factors can affect crispiness. First, ensure your sweet potato cubes are patted completely dry before seasoning. Excess moisture prevents browning. Second, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary so hot air can circulate freely. Third, ensure your air fryer is fully preheated. Finally, make sure to shake the basket at least once (or more) during cooking to expose all sides to the heat. If they’re still not crispy, a slightly longer cooking time (1-2 minutes) or a light mist of cooking spray might help.
Can I make these sweet potato cubes in a regular oven?
Yes, you can definitely make seasoned sweet potato cubes in a regular oven, though the cooking time and texture will vary slightly. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the seasoned sweet potato cubes with oil as directed, then spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 25-35 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are tender and caramelized with crispy edges. While delicious, the air fryer often achieves a superior level of crispiness due to its concentrated hot air circulation.
🎉 Conclusion: Your New Go-To Side Dish Awaits!
There you have it – a comprehensive guide to making the most delectable air fryer sweet potato cubes! This recipe truly embodies convenience, nutrition, and incredible flavor, all rolled into one vibrant package. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary journey, the simplicity and consistent results of this dish make it an instant favorite. From quick weeknight meals to impressive holiday spreads, these crispy, tender sweet potato cubes are versatile enough to grace any table.
So, preheat your air fryer, gather your simple ingredients, and prepare to be amazed by how easily you can create a side dish that’s both healthy and utterly satisfying. Don’t forget to experiment with the seasonings to make them uniquely yours. We encourage you to try this recipe today and discover the magic of air-fried sweet potatoes. Share your creations, leave a review, and let us know how much you love them!