Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

March 16, 2026

These air fryer sweet potatoes are perfectly cooked and ready in just 15 minutes with a few ingredients! The fastest, easiest sweet potato side dish you’ll make all week.

It’s funny that after years of resisting buying an air fryer, I use mine almost every night. (Really!) What I once thought was a waste of counter space is now my very favorite appliance. Aside from air fryer salmon bites and air fryer chicken, one of my favorite ways to use it is these air fryer sweet potatoes!

I love making roasted sweet potatoes, but they cook in 25 minutes plus my oven pre-heat time of 10 minutes. These sweet potatoes cook in only 12 minutes with a 3 minute preheat time, making them so much faster. I have been adding them to bowl meals on repeat lately. Here are my tips to perfect sweet potatoes in the air fryer!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Faster than oven roasting: They’re ready in 15 minutes (instead of 35 minutes)
Perfectly cooked with a tender interior and slightly crispy outsides
Simple ingredients: All you need are sweet potatoes, olive oil, and a few seasonings
Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free: It’s a healthy side dish that fits many diets

Ingredients You Need

Interestingly, I’ve found that all you need for the perfect seasoning for sweet potatoes are salt and one specific pantry staple: garlic powder! Just trust me. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Sweet potatoes: I always leave the skin on for added nutrients, and it makes fast because there’s no need to peel! Slice them into ¼-inch half moons for the best balance of slightly crisp exterior and tender interior. I also find that leftovers stay better in these larger thin shape then diced, which can become shriveled.
Garlic powder: This is my not-so-secret weapon for savory sweet potato recipes. It doesn’t taste overtly garlicky, it just adds a savory note that compliments the potatoes. I use this in my fan favorite baked sweet potato slices and there’s no need for any other seasonings.
Olive oil: You don’t need much for browning: the air fryer does most of the work.
Kosher salt: I always use kosher salt in all my recipes: it seasons more gently and evenly than table salt.

How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Though I love making roasted sweet potatoes, air fryer sweet potatoes are so much faster! They’re done in about 15 minutes, which I’ve found makes me tend to want to make them more often than firing up my oven. Here’s what to do:

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
Slice the sweet potatoes into ¼-inch half moons, leaving the skin on. No peeling needed!
Season in a bowl. Toss the slices with garlic powder, kosher salt, and olive oil until evenly coated.
Air fry in a single layer for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket at the 6-minute mark. It’s important not to overcrowd the air fryer, so if you want to make more than 1 ½ pounds of sweet potatoes, you’ll want to work in batches.
Check for doneness. A fork should slide easily into the thickest piece. If not, add 2 to 3 more minutes.

Ways to Serve

I am a huge sweet potato fan, so I can think of hundreds of ways to eat them! These are great in bowl meals or salad bowls, and you can also just use them as a super simple side dish. Here are some of my favorite ways:

With dipping sauce: I love them with my Green Goddess Ranch
As a simple side dish alongside easy baked salmon or grilled chicken
In a grain bowl: Layer them over rice or quinoa with a drizzle of tahini for a satisfying Mediterranean bowl, or I originally made them for these flavorful and fun chicken and rice bowls
Inside tacos: Throw them tortillas with these easy black beans and avocado
As a breakfast base: Eat them with eggs like a sweet potato hash
On a salad: Make them into a sweet potato salad

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers store refrigerated for up to 4 days. To reheat, the air fryer is the best bet: just add them for a few minutes until warmed through again. I don’t recommend freezing these because they become pretty mushy after thawing.

Dietary Notes

This air fryer sweet potatoes recipe is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to peel sweet potatoes for the air fryer?

Nope! The skin on sweet potatoes is edible and actually crisps up nicely in the air fryer. I always leave it on for this recipe: it saves time and adds texture.

What temperature should I use for air fryer sweet potatoes?

400°F. It’s hot enough to caramelize the edges and cook the sweet potatoes through in 12 to 15 minutes.

Can I use a different shape instead of half moons?

Yes! Cubes work well too! I just like the surface area of this shape and it saves better for leftovers.

Can I add other seasonings?

Absolutely. Smoked paprika, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne are all great variations. The garlic powder base is simple but pairs well with other spices.