Potatoes & Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes: Cubes, Fries and Chips
Air fryer sweet potatoes: 1-inch cubes at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, fries at 380°F for 12–16, and crispy chips at 350°F. Plus a maple side for Thanksgiving.
Quick answer
Cook 1-inch sweet potato cubes in the air fryer at 400°F205°C for 15–18 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned at the edges and tender inside. Sweet potato fries cut ¼ inch thick take 12–16 minutes at 380°F195°C. For chips, slice them very thin and air fry at 350°F175°C for 15–20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. A whole medium sweet potato bakes in 35–45 minutes at 400°F205°C.
- Time
- 15–18 min (1-inch cubes)
- Flip
- Shake halfway
- Done when
- Fork-tender, browned edges
Maple Cinnamon Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-inch cubes | 400°F205°C | 15–18 min | Shake halfway |
| ½-inch cubes | 400°F205°C | 12–15 min | Great for salads and bowls |
| Fries, ¼ inch thick | 380°F195°C | 12–16 min | Toss in cornstarch first |
| Wedges | 390°F200°C | 18–22 min | Skin on |
| Chips, sliced very thin | 350°F175°C | 15–20 min | Single layer, crisp as they cool |
| Whole medium sweet potato | 400°F205°C | 35–45 min | Prick with a fork first |
| Frozen sweet potato fries | 400°F205°C | 10–14 min | No need to thaw |
| Reheating cubes or fries | 375°F190°C | 3–5 min | Shake once |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
This might be the most versatile side you can make in an air fryer. Cubes turn caramelized at the edges, fries get crisp outside and creamy inside, and thin slices become chips. For Thanksgiving, a batch of maple cinnamon cubes takes about 20 minutes and leaves the oven free for the turkey.
How to air fry them
- Cut them evenly. 1-inch cubes, ¼-inch fries or very thin chips. Even pieces cook at the same rate.
- Toss with a little oil and seasoning. About 1 tablespoon per pound is plenty.
- Cook in a single layer at 400°F205°C for cubes or 380°F195°C for fries, shaking halfway.
- Check for tenderness. A fork should slide in easily, and the edges should be browned.
- Add anything sweet at the end. Maple syrup, honey or brown sugar burns if it goes in before cooking.
Cubes, fries or chips?
- Cubes (400°F205°C, 15–18 minutes) are the easiest holiday side. They’re also good in grain bowls and salads.
- Fries (380°F195°C, 12–16 minutes) need a slightly lower heat so the outside doesn’t darken before the middle cooks. A light dusting of cornstarch helps them crisp.
- Chips (350°F175°C, 15–20 minutes) need thin, even slices and patience. Cook them in small batches and pull out the ones that brown first.
- Whole sweet potatoes (400°F205°C, 35–45 minutes) come out with a soft, fluffy inside. Prick them with a fork first and serve with butter and a pinch of salt.
Sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving
The maple cinnamon recipe below is a lighter alternative to a classic casserole, and it’s ready while the turkey rests. A few ideas for the holiday table:
- Maple pecan: the recipe below, with toasted pecans on top.
- Savory: swap the cinnamon and maple for garlic powder, smoked paprika and fresh thyme.
- Casserole shortcut: spoon the cooked cubes into a small oven-safe dish, press mini marshmallows firmly into the top so the fan can’t lift them, and air fry at 330°F165°C for 2–3 minutes, until toasted.
Cooking for a crowd? Two pounds makes about 6 servings and fits in two batches. Keep the first batch warm on a sheet pan in a 200°F93°C oven. See our air fryer side dishes guide for a full holiday timing plan.
Tips for the best results
- Don’t crowd the basket. A single layer with a little space browns best.
- Watch the last few minutes. They have natural sugars, so they go from caramelized to burnt quickly.
- Pick potatoes of a similar size so the pieces cook at the same rate.
- Salt at the start, sweeten at the end.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat cubes or fries at 375°F190°C for 3–5 minutes, shaking once, until hot and crisp again. See our reheating guide for other leftovers.
Maple Cinnamon Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Total
- 28 min
- Air fryer
- 400°F205°C
- Makes
- 6 servings
- Calories
- 190 per serving, without pecans
Ingredients
- 2 lb sweet potatoes (about 3 medium), peeled or scrubbed
- 1½ tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1½ tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Cut. Cut the sweet potatoes into even 1-inch cubes. Peeling is optional. The skin gets pleasantly crisp.
- Season. Toss the cubes with the oil, salt, cinnamon and cayenne, if using.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F205°C for 3 minutes.
- Air fry. Spread half the cubes in a single layer and cook for 15–18 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned at the edges and tender when pierced with a fork. Repeat with the second batch.
- Glaze. Whisk the maple syrup and melted butter together, and toss with the hot sweet potatoes. Scatter the pecans on top, if using, and serve.
Notes
- Add the maple syrup after cooking, not before. Sugar burns quickly in an air fryer.
- A 5–6 qt basket holds about 1 lb of cubes in a single layer. Crowded cubes steam instead of browning.
- To keep the first batch warm, spread it on a sheet pan in a 200°F93°C oven.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook sweet potatoes in the air fryer?
At 400°F205°C, 1-inch cubes take 15–18 minutes and ½-inch cubes take 12–15 minutes. Fries cut ¼ inch thick take 12–16 minutes at 380°F195°C, and a whole medium sweet potato takes 35–45 minutes at 400°F205°C. Shake cubes and fries halfway.
Do you need to peel sweet potatoes before air frying?
No. The skin is safe to eat and gets pleasantly crisp in the air fryer. Just scrub the potatoes well. Peel them if you prefer a softer texture, or for a holiday side where you want an even color.
How do you make sweet potato chips in the air fryer?
Slice a sweet potato as thin as you can, ideally with a mandoline. Soak the slices in cold water for 20 minutes, dry them very well, and toss with a teaspoon of oil and a pinch of salt. Air fry at 350°F175°C for 15–20 minutes in a single layer, shaking every 5 minutes. Take out the chips as they brown, because they crisp up as they cool.
Are air fried sweet potato fries healthy?
They're a good choice. Air frying uses about a tablespoon of oil for a whole batch instead of the oil deep-fried fries absorb, so they have far less fat. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A (as beta-carotene), fiber and potassium, especially with the skin on.
Why aren't my air fryer sweet potato fries crispy?
Sweet potatoes hold more moisture and sugar than regular potatoes, so they soften and brown faster. Toss the fries in a teaspoon of cornstarch before the oil, cook them in a single layer at 380°F195°C rather than hotter, and let them sit in the basket for a minute after cooking. They firm up as the steam escapes.
Can you make air fryer sweet potatoes ahead for Thanksgiving?
Yes. Cut the cubes up to a day ahead and keep them covered in cold water in the refrigerator, then dry them well before seasoning. Or cook them earlier in the day and reheat at 375°F190°C for 3–5 minutes, then add the maple glaze just before serving.
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