Jacket Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer (Baked Sweet Potatoes)

Let us share a simple yet delightful twist on a classic side dish or lunch – Jacket Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer. It’s quick, super easy, and practically foolproof!

This recipe transforms the humble baked sweet potato into a crispy, flavorful delight that will surely become a regular at your dining table. Using an air fryer frees up your oven for other dishes, especially during those busy meal prep times.

But wait, there’s more! In case you’re in a hurry, I’ve also included a quicker method to cook air fryer sweet potato, using the microwave to give you a headstart. It won’t give you the same crispy skin but lower the cooking time.

Don’t forget to check out our air fryer jacket potatoes and air fryer sweet potato fries recipe. They’re equally easy, scrumptious, and crowd-pleasing!

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How to Cook Sweet Jacket Potato in the Air Fryer?

If you’re new to the world of air frying or haven’t tried cooking sweet potatoes in one, don’t fret. It’s incredibly straightforward. For a quick overview, check out our video tutorial on how to make air fryer sweet potatoes.

However, if you prefer reading, you can jump straight to the recipe card – click here to get started immediately.

Or read on for some handy tips, substitutions, and exciting sweet potato filling ideas.

Ingredients

Before we dive into how to cook sweet potatoes in the air fryer, let’s first look at the ingredients you’ll need. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity.

You need just a few basic ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are the star of this recipe. When cooking multiple sweet potatoes in an air fryer, choosing potatoes of similar sizes is crucial. This ensures even cooking and the best results.

It’s best to avoid ones with extremely skinny ends as they cook faster than the middle section.

Oil

A touch of oil helps crisp the skin to a beautiful golden brown and prevents the potatoes from drying out.

You can use oils like olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. If you prefer less oil, a good quality cooking spray oil is a perfect alternative. If you prefer an oil-free option, feel free to skip the oil. However, remember that this may result in a dry and lacklustre sweet potato jacket skin.

Seasoning Ideas

Salt is the key ingredient for perfectly seasoned sweet potatoes. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings like black pepper, garlic powder, or dried seasoning mix.

Mix your chosen seasonings with oil before rubbing it onto the skin. This helps the seasonings stick better to the potato skin.

Herbs

Fresh herbs make a great addition after the potatoes are cooked. They add an extra layer of flavour to your filling. We’ll give some filling ideas later in this post.

Equipment

Now that we’ve covered the ingredients, let’s move on to the equipment needed.

Instructions

Here’s a quick rundown of the instructions to make air fryer sweet potatoes.

Jump to the recipe card, if you prefer.

Preparation

The prep time for sweet potatoes in the air fryer is quick!

Pricking

Remember, you can cook as many potatoes as will fit in your air fryer in a single layer. But don’t stack them on top of each other.

Cooking Temperature

Next up, let’s talk about temperature. You want the air fryer’s temperature set to 200°C / 400°F.

Trust me, I’ve tried other temperatures, and this is the sweet spot (pun intended). It’s just the right amount of heat to get that skin nice and crispy while ensuring the insides are perfectly cooked.

How Long to Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Air Fryer?

So, how long do sweet potatoes take in the air fryer? Well, set your timers for 40 minutes.

And to make sure they cook evenly, be sure to turn them over half way through. This is also a great opportunity to get your main cooked or make a delicious filling for sweet potatoes.

The Quickest Method: Microwave and Air Fryer (Sacrifice the Crispy Skin)

I’ve got your back if you’re short on time or impatient. Here’s a quicker method to get those sweet potatoes cooked. This method won’t give you that irresistible crispy skin we’ve been raving about. Sometimes, we must make sacrifices in the name of speed, right?

Grab your sweet potatoes and give them a good prick with a fork or sharp knife. Place on a microwaveable plate and cook them in the microwave on high, flipping once halfway through.

Microwave cook time depends on a few factors: how many potatoes you’re cooking, the power of your microwave, and the size of your potatoes.

To give you a rough idea, here’s a handy starting point.

1 Potato – 4 minutes
2 Potatoes – 6 minutes
3 Potatoes – 8 minutes
4 Potatoes – 10 minutes

Use a knife to check if they’re soft all the way through. If they’re still firm, continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until soft.

Once they’re done, give them a good toss them in a bowl with the oil and salt.

Place in the air fryer basket at 200°C / 400°F for 8 minutes. This will give the skin a slight crispness – not as crispy as the full air fryer method, but it’s better than nothing!

How to Check the Air Fried Sweet Potato is Cooked?

But how do you know when your air fryer sweet potatoes are done? Insert a knife into the centre of the potato; if it goes in without resistance, your potatoes are ready to eat! If not, air fry longer in 2-minute intervals, until they’re done.

And there you have it – your guide to creating the perfect jacket sweet potato in the air fryer. All that’s left is to remove them from the air fryer, cut sweet potatoes in half, serve with your chosen toppings, and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

Wondering what to serve alongside this delightful air fryer sweet potato when served as a side dish. I have some dinner suggestions to take your meal from simple to spectacular.

It makes the perfect side dish, but it can also be part of your lunch or main with a suitable filling for your baked sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato Filling Ideas

Now, I’ve tried a lot of sweet potato fillings in my time, but let me tell you, nothing beats these combinations.

First up, we have our slow cooker chilli con carne or slow cooker chicken curry. These fillings are hearty, spicy, and oh-so-comforting.

We also have our tuna mayonnaise and prawn cocktail. These are for all you seafood lovers out there. Simple, delicious, and satisfying.

Next topping for air fryer baked sweet potato list is our egg mayo with bacon. The creaminess of the mayo pairs beautifully with the fluffy fork tender sweet potato, and the egg adds a lovely richness.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to fillings for air-fried sweet potatoes. Why not try cheese and beans for a comforting classic and coronation chicken for a bit of spice? And you can never go wrong with sour cream and chives.

📖 Step by Step Recipe

We like to air fry sweet potatoes in a larger batch and store them.

Storage

Once your leftover sweet potatoes have cooled down, pop them in an airtight container and pop them into the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3-4 days.

Potatoes must be stored in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. Read more about potato storage.

Freezing

Want to keep them longer? No problem! Place sweet potato in an airtight container, and into the freezer. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating

Reheating

Using your microwave is the quickest way to reheat your precooked sweet potatoes.

Place it on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high for about 2-3 minutes. I must warn you that the skin will go a little soggy, but the insides will still be as fluffy and delicious as ever!

You can always add an extra 5 minutes in the air fryer basket at 200°C / 400°F for 5 minutes to crisp the skin.

More Potato Air Fryer Recipes

So, you’ve mastered the art of easy air fryer sweet potato recipes. Hooray! But why stop there? A whole world of potato air fryer recipes are waiting to be discovered.