Have you ever craved something crispy and satisfying but didn't want the guilt of deep-fried foods? I've been there too! These air fryer sweet potato wedges have become my go-to solution for those snack cravings.
The first time I made these for Emily, she couldn't believe they weren't fried in oil - that golden exterior with the perfectly tender inside had us both reaching for seconds!
I've been experimenting with my air fryer for months now, and sweet potatoes have quickly become one of my favorite ingredients to work with.
There's something magical about how the natural sugars caramelize in the hot circulating air, creating wedges that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside - all without the extra oil of traditional frying.
Why you will like this recipe
- Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
- Uses minimal oil but delivers maximum crispiness
- Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and fiber
- Versatile - works as a side dish or satisfying snack
- Kid-approved (Emily gives these two thumbs up!)
- Customizable with your favorite seasonings
- Much healthier than deep-fried alternatives
Ingredients for air fryer sweet potato wedges
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes (about 1¾ pounds)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (olive oil works too!)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- Cooking spray for the air fryer basket
Instructions for perfect sweet potato wedges
- Prep the potatoes. Cut the ends off the sweet potatoes. Then, cut sweet potatoes into wedges by cutting them in half lengthwise. Cut each half in half again. Then, cut those halves in half (to end up with 8 pieces). If your sweet potatoes are large, you can cut some of the thicker wedges in half one more time. (I find keeping the wedges relatively uniform helps them cook evenly - a lesson I learned the hard way with some burnt tips and undercooked centers!)
- Season. Place sweet potato wedges into a large bowl. Drizzle avocado oil over top. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix the oil and seasoning onto the sweet potatoes, until they're evenly coated. (Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty here - it's the best way to ensure every wedge gets coated!)
- Spray your air fryer basket or tray with nonstick spray. Place sweet potato wedges in the bottom of your air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. You might need to cook the potatoes in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. (I learned this the hard way when I tried to crowd them all in at once - they steamed instead of crisping!)
- Air fry the potato wedges at 380 degrees F for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through. When ready, they should be crispy on the outside, yet fork tender on the inside. After 18 minutes, stick a fork or knife into the wedges. If it goes through with ease, they are ready. If there is any resistance or crunchiness, the sweet potato wedges will need additional time.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy!
Last step! Please consider leaving a review + commenting letting me know how you liked this recipe!
Substitutions
- Oil options: While I prefer avocado oil for its high smoke point, olive oil or coconut oil work wonderfully too. Each brings a slightly different flavor profile!
- Seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different spice blends. Cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar make these more dessert-like, while cajun seasoning adds a lovely kick.
- Sweet potato varieties: Orange sweet potatoes are my go-to, but purple or white varieties work just as well - they'll just have slightly different cooking times and flavor profiles.
Storage & reheating
- Store any leftover sweet potato wedges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For best results when reheating, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until heated through and crispy again.
- Microwaving works in a pinch, but you'll lose that wonderful crispy texture (still tasty though!).
- I don't recommend freezing cooked sweet potato wedges as they tend to become mushy when thawed.
Tips for perfect air fryer sweet potato wedges
- Don't overcrowd the basket! This is probably the number one mistake I made when I first started air frying. Giving the wedges space allows the hot air to circulate around them, resulting in that perfect crispy exterior.
- Cut your wedges uniformly so they cook at the same rate. Have you ever bitten into a perfectly cooked sweet potato only to find another piece is still hard in the center? Consistent sizing solves this problem!
- Pat dry your sweet potatoes after washing them to remove excess moisture - this helps with crisping.
- Soak in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking if you have time - this removes excess starch and helps them crisp up. (I skip this when I'm in a hurry, and they're still delicious!)
- Flip halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Try serving with a variety of dipping sauces - my personal favorite is a simple sriracha mayo, but Emily loves them with a honey-cinnamon dip!
Frequently asked questions
No, you don't need to peel sweet potatoes before making wedges. The skin contains nutrients and adds texture. Just wash them thoroughly and cut off the ends before slicing into wedges.
For crispy sweet potato wedges, ensure they're arranged in a single layer with space between each piece, cook at 380°F, and flip halfway through. The oil coating is essential for crispiness, and don't overcrowd the basket as this creates steam instead of crispness.
While best served immediately after cooking, you can reheat leftover sweet potato wedges in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. They'll store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container but will lose some crispiness.
Sweet potato wedges pair wonderfully with sriracha mayo, honey mustard, garlic aioli, or a simple yogurt-based dip. For a dessert-like twist, try a cinnamon-sugar coating and serve with a maple syrup dip.
Recipes you may like
- Air Fryer Tuna Melts - Another quick and easy air fryer recipe that makes a satisfying meal
- Sweet Potato Chili - A hearty meal that showcases sweet potatoes in a different way
Conclusion
These air fryer sweet potato wedges have honestly been a game-changer in our household. They're the perfect example of how healthy doesn't have to mean boring or flavorless! The natural sweetness of the potatoes combined with that smoky paprika creates the most mouthwatering flavor profile, and the texture is just divine - crispy edges giving way to fluffy centers.
What I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is. We've enjoyed these wedges as an after-school snack, as a side with burgers, and even as the star of a loaded wedges dinner (just pile on some cheese, green onions, and black beans - trust me on this one!).
I hope you'll give these a try and let me know what you think! Save this recipe to Pinterest for your next snack craving, and don't forget to tell me what dipping sauce you paired them with.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes about 1 ¾ pounds
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil olive oil works too
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- cooking spray for the air fryer basket
Instructions
- Prep the potatoes. Cut the ends off the sweet potatoes. Then, cut sweet potatoes into wedges by cutting them in half lengthwise. Cut each half in half again. Then, cut those halves in half (to end up with 8 pieces.) If your sweet potatoes are large, you can cut some of the thicker wedges in half one more time.
- Season. Place sweet potato wedges into a large bowl. Drizzle avocado oil over top. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix the oil and seasoning onto the sweet potatoes, until they're evenly coated.
- Spray your air fryer basket or tray with nonstick spray. Place sweet potato wedges in the bottom of your air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. You might need to cook the potatoes in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the potato wedges at 380 degrees F for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through. When ready, they should be crispy on the outside, yet fork tender on the inside. After 18 minutes, stick a fork or knife into the wedges. If it goes through with ease, they are ready. If there is any resistance or crunchiness, the sweet potato wedges will need additional time.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy!
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