Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, offering a quicker, healthier, and more efficient way to prepare your favorite foods. Air fryer sweet potato cubes are a perfect example of how this handy kitchen gadget can turn simple ingredients into a crispy, flavorful side dish. Whether you’re serving them alongside your favorite protein or using them as a base for a grain bowl, these sweet potato cubes are versatile, easy to prepare, and incredibly satisfying.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about making air fryer sweet potato cubes, from cutting the potatoes to seasoning, cooking, and serving. Follow the steps below to get perfectly crispy, golden-brown cubes every time!

Choosing the Right Sweet Potatoes

When selecting sweet potatoes for your air fryer recipe, it’s important to choose the right variety. Sweet potatoes come in various types, including orange-fleshed and white-fleshed varieties. For this recipe, we recommend sticking with the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes because they tend to crisp up better and offer a natural sweetness that complements savory seasonings.

Additionally, opt for medium-sized sweet potatoes. They are easier to handle when peeling and cutting, ensuring uniform cube sizes, which is crucial for even cooking in the air fryer.

For more on alternative sweet potato preparations, check out this guide to air fryer sweet potato fries that are just as easy to make.

Tools and Ingredients

Before diving into the cooking process, gather all the necessary tools and ingredients. Here’s a list to help you get started:

Tools:

• Air fryer: The size of the air fryer will determine how many cubes you can cook at once.
• Sharp knife: to chop and peel the sweet potatoes.
• Cutting board: A sturdy surface for prepping the sweet potatoes.
• Mixing bowl: To toss the sweet potato cubes in oil and seasoning.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes (approximately 1 pound total)
• 2 teaspoons avocado oil (or olive oil)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

To learn how to make baked versions, check out air fryer baked sweet potatoes, another fantastic option for air fryer enthusiasts.

How to Cut Sweet Potatoes Into Cubes

The key to making perfect air fryer sweet potato cubes is cutting them into uniform pieces. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure consistency:

1. Peel the sweet potatoes: Use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to remove the skin. While some recipes suggest keeping the skin on, peeling helps the cubes cook evenly and achieve a crisp texture.
2. Cut into cubes: Start by slicing the peeled sweet potatoes lengthwise into ½-inch thick rounds. Then, cut each round into evenly-sized cubes. This step ensures that the cubes cook uniformly in the air fryer, avoiding some pieces being overcooked while others are underdone.
3. Size matters: The recommended cube size is about ½ inch. If the cubes are too large, they may take longer to cook and won’t become as crispy. If they’re too small, they could burn quickly.

Prepping the Sweet Potato Cubes for Air Frying

Once your sweet potato cubes are cut, it’s time to season and prepare them for the air fryer. Proper seasoning enhances the flavor, and the oil helps achieve that desired crispiness.

1. Add oil: Place the cubes in a mixing bowl and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of avocado oil. Avocado oil is a great choice because it has a high smoke point, which makes it ideal for air frying.
2. Seasoning: Add ¼ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper. These simple seasonings bring out the natural sweetness of the potatoes while adding a savory touch. Feel free to experiment with other spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
3. Toss evenly: Use your hands or a spatula to toss the cubes in the bowl, ensuring that each cube is evenly coated with oil and spices.

Air Fryer Settings and Cooking Time

Cooking sweet potato cubes in the air fryer is quick and easy. Here’s how to get the best results:

1. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 385°F (195°C) and allow it to preheat for 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the cubes begin cooking immediately when placed in the fryer, helping them achieve a crispy exterior.
2. Arrange the cubes: Place the seasoned sweet potato cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure the cubes are not overcrowded or overlapping. If your air fryer is small, cook the cubes in batches to avoid steaming them instead of air frying.
3. Cook for 10-14 minutes: The cooking time will depend on the size of your cubes and your air fryer model. For ½-inch cubes, expect a cooking time of about 12 minutes. Shake the basket every 4 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.
4. Check for doneness: The cubes should be tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. If they’re not quite done after 12 minutes, continue cooking in 2-minute intervals until they reach the desired crispiness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though air fryer sweet potato cubes are easy to make, a few common mistakes can affect the outcome:

• Overcrowding the basket: When the air fryer basket is overcrowded, the cubes will steam instead of crisping. Always cook in a single layer.
• Not shaking the basket: Forgetting to shake the basket can result in unevenly cooked cubes. Shaking ensures that all sides of the cubes are exposed to the hot air, leading to a crispy finish.
• Using too much or too little oil: Too much oil can make the cubes soggy, while too little oil will prevent them from crisping properly. For optimal effects, adhere to the suggested dosage.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Air fryer sweet potato cubes make a versatile and tasty side dish. Here are some serving suggestions:

• With proteins: Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, or pan-seared fish for a well-rounded meal.
• Grain bowls: Add the cubes to a grain bowl with quinoa, kale, and avocado for a nutritious, balanced meal.
• Toppings and dips: Pair with a dip like guacamole, tahini, or a simple yogurt sauce for extra flavor.

Storing and Reheating Sweet Potato Cubes

If you have leftovers (which might be rare!), air fryer sweet potato cubes store well and can be reheated quickly:

• Storing: Keep the cubes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Reheating: To bring back their crispiness, reheat the cubes in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave them, but they will lose some of their crispiness.

Recipe Variations for Sweet Potato Cubes

Looking to switch things up? Here are a few ways to put a new twist on air fryer sweet potato cubes:

• Sweet version: Toss the cubes in cinnamon and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for a sweet treat that works well as a side or dessert.
• Savory spice blends: Add cumin, smoked paprika, or rosemary to your seasoning mix for a more robust, savory flavor profile.
• Cheesy cubes: Sprinkle Parmesan or cheddar cheese over the cubes in the last 2 minutes of cooking for a cheesy, indulgent variation.

FAQs About Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

With this complete article, you now have all the tips, tricks, and variations to make air fryer sweet potato cubes a staple in your kitchen. Let’s wrap up with some final thoughts on seasoning options and meal pairings.

More Seasoning Ideas for Sweet Potato Cubes

If you’re looking to add more variety to your air fryer sweet potato cubes, here are a few additional seasoning ideas that can elevate this simple dish into something truly special:

• Spicy mix: Combine smoked paprika, chili powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
• Herby flavors: Add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to your seasoning blend for an earthy, aromatic flavor.
• Citrus zest: Grate fresh lemon or lime zest over the finished cubes for a bright, tangy twist.

Pairing Sweet Potato Cubes with Dishes

These crispy, delicious sweet potato cubes can be enjoyed as a stand-alone snack or paired with various dishes to create a balanced meal. Here are a few ideas:

• With protein: Pair the sweet potato cubes with grilled chicken, baked salmon, or a juicy steak. The sweetness of the potatoes contrasts beautifully with the savory flavor of the protein.
• In salads: Toss the cubes into a mixed greens salad with avocado, red onion, and a vinaigrette for a light, healthy lunch.
• With eggs: For a breakfast twist, serve the cubes with scrambled or poached eggs and avocado toast.

Conclusion

Air fryer sweet potato cubes are a quick and easy side dish that packs a punch of flavor and texture. With just a few ingredients and the right air fryer settings, you can turn simple sweet potatoes into crispy, golden cubes perfect for any meal. Whether you stick to the classic seasoning or experiment with different variations, this versatile dish will quickly become a favorite in your household.

Remember to:

• Cut the potatoes evenly for consistent cooking.
• Preheat the air fryer for optimal results.
• Shake the basket every few minutes to prevent uneven cooking.

By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll have perfectly crispy sweet potato cubes every time.

So, next time you’re craving a delicious, easy-to-make side dish, grab your air fryer and sweet potatoes, and get cooking!