These roasted sweet potatoes have become a staple in our house. My 1 year old loves these. She would leave all the options on her plate aside and ask for second and third serving of these sweet potatoes And this mama does not mind that. Sweet potatoes are so nutritious, with lots of fiber and potassium. Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. They are also lower in calories than regular potatoes. One of the best way to cook these glorious sweet potatoes is by roasting them. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in them. I love to use my air fryer for these quick side dishes. It is so much more convenient than heating up the oven. I also like to steam them in the instant pot. Frankly, we have been enjoying sweet potatoes in every way possible. They are a part of every grocery order now.
Which Sweet Potato to Use for Roasting?
There are so many different varieties of sweet potatoes and they are not all the same in taste and texture. My favorite for roasted have been orange skinned sweet potatoes. They are moist, sweet and creamy. Today I am using Garnet sweet potatoes. Look for firm potatoes without much bruises or discolorations. Avoid the ones that are becoming softer. Store them in a cool, dry, dark, but well ventilated place.
How to Cut Sweet Potatoes for Roasting?
For this particular recipe, we’re roasting sweet potato cubes, and I recommend cutting the sweet potato into ½ inch chunks. You can also cut them into fries or wedges. The cooking time varies by the thickness and size. First, wash and peel the sweet potato. It is easier to peel the skin using a peeler. You can skip peeling them, if you are buying organic. My family prefers peeled sweet potatoes. Note: you want a sharp chefs knife to cut sweet potatoes. They can be firm and hard to cut. After peeling, cut into half or 3 pieces depending on the length of the sweet potato. Then please one portion vertically on the cutting board. And make cuts into it as shown in the picture above. You want to cut the slices about 1/2 inch in size. Then lay each slice flat on the cutting board and make half inch cubes. Try to keep all cubes similar sized.
How to Roast Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer?
A little seasoning goes a long way for these sweet potatoes. I like to keep it simple and toss the cubes with in some avocado or olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well so all the sweet potatoes are coated in the oil and seasoning. Let’s talk about preheating the air fryer. I have made these both with and without preheating and it works well either way. When not preheating, it takes couple of minutes more to get the perfect roasted sweet potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. I used my Instant Vortex air fryer for this recipe. It has the preheat option, so I preheated the air fryer to 400°F. This air fryer reminds after preheating to add the food, and then also reminds to turn or shake the food. I feel that is a great little feature. Air fryer for 10-12 minutes for the perfect texture. Shake the basket at about 6 minutes. If you like them more crunchy, then add a couple of extra minutes. Air fryer takes half the time than oven, So on regular days and for small quantities I prefer to use air fryer. Note: When I make these for the baby, then I cut them into even smaller pieces and air fry for 8-10 minutes. If you want to cook in the oven, preheat the oven to 425°F, and cook for about 30 minutes. Toss the sweet potatoes every 10-15 minutes so they cook evenly.
My Pro-tips
Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches. No need to boil them before roasting. Yay! Serve them right away, they soften as they cool.
Seasoning Options
Here are some more seasoning ideas!
onion powder cumin powder red chili powder or paprika for a spicy version Curry powder for curry roasted sweet potatoes. Or add the basics such as turmeric, cumin, and my homemade Garam Masala. Oh, and add the end you can add the Chili Lime Seasoning from Trader Joes. So good!
Make them sweet by adding the below flavors
Brown sugar Maple syrup Cinnamon and Honey for a holiday version
Hope you enjoy these easy air fryer roasted sweet potatoes. They are a perfect side dish to any meal! Other air fryer veggies you might enjoy:
Crispy Kale Chips Pumpkin Seeds French Fries
