Sweet potatoes are delicious and packed with nutrients, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Unfortunately, they tend to get overlooked on many dinner plates. But what if there was an easy, healthy, and delicious way to prepare sweet potatoes that everyone could enjoy? Lucky for you, there is! Air fryer sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish or snack to add to your repertoire.
In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about making easy, healthy, and delicious air fryer sweet potatoes, including the health benefits of sweet potatoes, how to prepare them in an air fryer, and some delightful pairing ideas.
A Healthy Side Dish
First, let’s talk about why sweet potatoes are such a healthy addition to your diet. Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them an excellent source of complex carbohydrates. They’re also loaded with antioxidants that help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals.
Studies have shown that sweet potatoes can help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making them an excellent food for people with diabetes. Plus, sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile, allowing you to prepare them in a variety of ways, including baking, boiling, roasting, and even air frying.
Let’s Dive Into Cooking Sweet Potatoes
Now that we’ve covered sweet potatoes’ health benefits let’s get into how to prepare them in an air fryer. The first step is to wash and peel your sweet potatoes, then cut them into wedges or cubes. Toss them in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil (or cooking spray) and your preferred seasonings.
Some fantastic options include cinnamon, paprika, cumin, chili powder, or rosemary, but I’m a purist and am perfectly happy with just salt & pepper on my veggies.
Once seasoned, transfer the sweet potatoes to the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re in a single layer. Air fry at 400 degrees for around 25-30 minutes, tossing and flipping them halfway through. They should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Ingredients
Medium Sized Sweet Potatoes, Cooking Spray, Salt & Pepper, Butter
One of the best sweet potato recipes I’ve had at a restaurant was at the Washington Square Cafe in Williamstown, Kentucky. “Order a side of the sweet potato fries with a side of the mouthwatering maple bacon bourbon cream sauce. This sauce could win first prize in any contest!”
Recipe Instructions
1. Pre-heat air fryer to 400 degrees.
2. Spray sweet potatoes with cooking spray.
3. Place in air fryer for 20 minutes.
4. Flip and continue to air fry for an additional 10 minutes.
5. Slice open and top with butter, salt & pepper!
Want more air fryer recipes? How about Air Fryer French Toast Sticks? Super tasty and easy to eat.
Meal Ideas For Your Healthy Side
One of the great things about air fryer sweet potatoes is that they pair well with various flavors. Serve them with grilled protein like chicken, steak, or fish, or topped with black beans, avocado, and salsa for a healthy vegetarian meal. They also make an excellent snack or appetizer when served with a dipping sauce like honey-mustard, tzatziki, or hummus.
My favorite secret weapon for air fryer sweet potatoes? Consider a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey for an over-the-top yumminess that will more than impress your friends and family.
Another option is to top them with a dollop of Greek yogurt, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of chili powder for a delicious and healthy twist on loaded baked potatoes.
Your Next Favorite Side Item
When it comes to ranking “air fryer sweet potatoes,” this dish is a real winner. Not only is it incredibly easy to prepare, but it’s also healthy and versatile. People all over the internet are raving about how delicious these sweet potatoes turn out in the air fryer. Plus, the healthier preparation options are very trendy these days. So, why not give it a try?