How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
If you’re looking for a side dish that is incredibly easy, ridiculously delicious, and packed with nutrition, then you have to make these air fryer sweet potato cubes.
This simple recipe will completely change the way you think about sweet potatoes. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and crispy.
The magic of the air fryer is its ability to create a wonderfully crispy, roasted texture without using a lot of oil. We’ll be tossing bite-sized cubes of sweet potato with a simple but powerful blend of savory spices.
The air fryer’s circulating hot air will cook them until the outsides are beautifully caramelized and slightly crispy, while the insides become wonderfully soft, tender, and fluffy.
This is a versatile, healthy, and lightning-fast side dish that pairs perfectly with almost any main course. Let’s get cooking and see just how easy a delicious side can be.
Essential Tools
- Air Fryer
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Spatula or Large Spoon
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board
- Vegetable Peeler
Quick Recipe Snapshot
Here’s a quick look at how incredibly fast this healthy and delicious side dish comes together.
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 15-20 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 servings | Easy | Mild |
Ingredients
This simple recipe uses a classic savory spice blend to perfectly complement the sweetness of the potatoes.
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- Sweet Potatoes: 2 large (about 1.5 – 2 lbs), peeled and cut into ½ to ¾-inch cubes.
- 2 servings: 1 large sweet potato
- 4 servings: 2 large sweet potatoes
- Olive Oil: 1-2 tbsp.
- For the Savory Spice Blend:
- Smoked Paprika: 1 tsp.
- Garlic Powder: 1 tsp.
- Onion Powder: ½ tsp.
- Salt: ½ tsp.
- Black Pepper: ½ tsp.
The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the show. Their natural sweetness intensifies as they roast, creating a beautiful caramelized flavor that is the perfect canvas for savory spices.
- Smoked Paprika: This is the key to a deep, savory flavor. It provides a wonderful smoky taste and a beautiful reddish-brown color that makes the potatoes look as good as they taste.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: This classic duo provides a foundational savory and aromatic flavor that is the perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the potatoes.
- The Air Fryer: The real secret to this recipe. The intense, circulating hot air is what creates the magic, crisping the outside of the potato cubes while steaming the inside to tender, fluffy perfection, all in record time.
Cooking Instructions
This easy and delicious side dish is a simple process of chopping, seasoning, and letting the air fryer do all the work.
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Sweet Potatoes
First, wash and peel your sweet potatoes. Cut them into uniform, bite-sized cubes, about ½ to ¾ of an inch in size. It’s important to keep the cubes relatively the same size to ensure they all cook evenly.
Place the sweet potato cubes in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dry seasonings: the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Toss to Coat
Sprinkle the prepared spice blend all over the oiled sweet potato cubes in the bowl. Use a large spoon or your hands to toss everything together until every single cube is evenly and generously coated in the savory seasoning.
This will ensure that every bite is packed with flavor and will help the potatoes develop a beautiful, dark crust in the air fryer.
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the seasoned sweet potato cubes in the air fryer basket in a single, even layer. It is very important not to overcrowd the basket, as this will cause the potatoes to steam instead of roast.
Cook in batches if necessary for the best crispy results. Air fry for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket vigorously every 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Check for Doneness and Serve
The sweet potato cubes are done when they are tender on the inside (easily pierced with a fork) and crispy and caramelized on the outside.
The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your cubes and your specific air fryer model. Give them a taste and sprinkle with a little extra salt if needed. Serve the sweet potato cubes immediately while they are hot and at their crispiest.
Recipe Variations
This simple method is a perfect template for your own favorite flavor combinations.
- Make it Spicy: For spicy sweet potato cubes, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the spice blend.
- Sweet and Savory: For a different flavor profile, you can use a spice blend of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ginger, and a pinch of nutmeg instead of the savory spices.
- Herbaceous Version: After cooking, toss the hot sweet potato cubes with 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill for a burst of fresh flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These versatile air fryer sweet potato cubes are a fantastic side dish for almost any meal.
- As a Simple Side: They are the perfect, easy side dish for roasted chicken, steak, or pork chops.
- In a Breakfast Hash: Toss the cooked cubes with some sautéed onions, bell peppers, and a fried egg on top for a delicious breakfast hash.
- For Bowls and Salads: Let them cool slightly and add them to grain bowls or green salads for a hearty, flavorful, and nutrient-packed component.
Storage & Reheating Tips
While they are best eaten fresh, leftovers are still delicious.
- Storage: Let the cooked sweet potato cubes cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The air fryer is the undisputed champion for reheating. Place the leftover cubes back in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until they are heated through and have re-crisped on the outside.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| My sweet potatoes are soggy, not crispy. | You almost certainly overcrowded the air fryer basket. For potatoes to get crispy, the hot air needs to be able to circulate around each piece. Always cook them in a single, even layer, and work in batches if necessary. |
| My seasoning burned before the potatoes were cooked. | Your temperature might be too high for your specific air fryer model, or you may have added sugar to your seasoning blend. Spices like paprika can burn, and sugar will caramelize very quickly. Try reducing the temperature to 380°F (195°C). |
| The potatoes are cooked unevenly. | You forgot to shake the basket. It is an important step to remove the basket and give the potatoes a good, vigorous shake every 5-7 minutes. This helps to move them around and ensures all sides get exposed to the hot air. |
| The cubes are dry inside. | You likely cut your cubes too small or you overcooked them. Aim for a ½ to ¾-inch cube. Start checking for doneness at the 15-minute mark; as soon as they are tender on the inside, they are done. |
FAQs
Do I need to soak the sweet potatoes like I do with regular potatoes?
No, it is not necessary to soak sweet potatoes. Regular white potatoes are soaked to remove excess starch, which helps them get crispier.
Sweet potatoes have a different starch content and structure, and soaking them does not make a noticeable difference in their final texture.
Can I make these with the skin on?
Yes, absolutely! Sweet potato skin is thin, edible, and packed with nutrients and fiber. If you choose to leave the skin on, just be sure to scrub the sweet potatoes very well before you cut them into cubes.
Can I cook frozen sweet potato cubes in the air fryer?
Yes, you can. You do not need to thaw them first. Simply toss the frozen cubes with the oil and seasonings and place them in the air fryer.
You will need to increase the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes. Shake the basket frequently to break up any clumps.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Crispy Side Dish!
You are now ready to make the easiest, fastest, and most delicious air fryer sweet potatoes cubes. This recipe is a perfect example of how the air fryer can transform a simple vegetable into a spectacular side dish with very little effort.
I hope this becomes a new staple in your weeknight dinner rotation!
