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These crispy air fryer sweet potato cubes cook in 12 minutes at 390°F, with a cornstarch and spice coating that crisps the edges while the centers stay fluffy.
Twelve minutes, one basket, five things you already have. These air fryer sweet potato cubes use sweet potatoes, oil, cornstarch, brown sugar and a handful of everyday spices. If you thought you only way you can get ultra crispy sweet potatoes is by baking them for ages on high heat, this will change your mind. By using a thin coat of cornstarch we ensure the outside is perfectly crisp while the inside is fluffy, all while requiring a cook time of less than 15 minutes.
If you want to make dinner even more streamlined buy a bag of precut sweet potatoes and this makes the perfect weeknight side dish.
Reasons you will Love this Recipe
- Inexpensive: this recipe doesn’t use any expensive or hard-to-find ingredients!
- 12 Minutes, One Basket: simply toss once at the halfway point.
- Crispy Edges: the cornstarch is the secret to a crispy exterior. No soaking, parboiling, or anything else required.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Sweet Potato
- Sweet Potatoes: this recipe calls for cubed sweet potatoes, if you are buying the potatoes whole you will need two medium size sweet potatoes.
- Oil: you can use olive oil or avocado oil for this recipe.
- Sweetener: I use brown sugar for this recipe, but if you would like to make this sugar-free use golden monk fruit.
- Spices: chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder and salt
- Cornstarch: cornstarch is the secret ingredient when it comes to crispy potatoes, it is what makes potato wedges so crispy on the outside while staying fluffy on the inside!
How to make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
In addition to the ingredients listed above you just need an air fryer and a mixing bowl! Follow the step by step guide below for the best air fryer sweet potatoes:
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: If you are starting with whole sweet potatoes wash and peel the potatoes. Use a very sharp knife and carefully cut the sweet potato into 1/2 inch cubes. Do your best to cut the cubes into similar sizes to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- Add Oil and Spices: Toss the sweet potatoes in the oil, make sure the potatoes are well coated. Sprinkle the seasonings over the potatoes and stir until it is evenly distributed.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F for 3 minutes. Add the seasoned sweet potatoes to the pre-heated air fryer and cook 6 minutes. When the cooking cycle ends toss the potatoes well and cook for an additional 6 minutes or until cooked to your liking.
Serve
Serve the potatoes while they are piping hot and fresh from the air fryer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. They go great with:
What air fryer should I use?
This recipe will work with any air fryer. I use a 4 quart basket air fryer and this recipe fits nicely. You can use a basket or rack style air fryer with the same results.
Variations and Add-Ins
- Skip the brown sugar and add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne for a savory, spicy version.
- Swap the chili powder and cumin for cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a sweeter side.
- Make them as written, but finish with lime juice and cotija for a sweet corn style bowl topping. It would be a great addition to these Mexican street corn burrito bowls.
- Toss the finished sweet potato cubes with a drizzle of honey and a pinch of finely chopped rosemary.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato FAQ
Cornstarch helps to absorb moisture resulting in a crispy exterior while the interior stays light anf fluffy.
The potatoes are seasoned with brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin and salt. The overall flavor profile is mild with a smokey sweet flavor. They are not spicy.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free without any adjustments.
Yes, you can assemble the recipe as directed but cook on a greased sheet pan in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes, flip and cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until fork tender and crispy on the outisde.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes (12 minutes!)
Ingredients
- 3 cups sweet potato cubes, about 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 1 teaspoon EACH chili powder, paprika and brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoons EACH garlic powder, cumin, and salt
Instructions
- Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss the potatoes in the olive oil and set aside.
- Combine the cornstarch and spices in a small bowl and sprinkle over the potatoes, toss to coat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F. for 3 minutes.
- Add the potatoes to the preheated air fryer and fry for 6 minutes, toss the potatoes, and fry for an additional 6 minutes.
- Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For the crispiest potatoes make sure they are in a single layer in the air fryer.
- The 12 minute cook time is based on 1/2 inch cubes. If your potatoes are larger, they will not be done in twelve minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
