Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges are crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. They’re one of the easiest ways to turn a simple sweet potato into a side dish everyone actually wants to eat. They’re perfect anytime you want perfectly cooked sweet potato wedges without turning on the oven.
This recipe has been kitchen-tested to ensure consistent, reliable results.
How Do You Make Sweet Potato Wedges Crispy?
To make air fryer sweet potato wedges crispy, cut them evenly, pat them dry, lightly coat them in oil, and cook them in a single layer in a preheated air fryer so hot air can circulate freely.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy edges with a tender center
- Uses simple ingredients and pantry seasonings
- No boiling, soaking, or complicated prep
- Works for both fresh and frozen sweet potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes are healthy and a rich source of nutrients.
Now that we are all back into a routine again (and actually know what day of the week it is), it feels like the perfect time to reset and refocus on a few goals. January is a great time to get back to simple, nourishing meals.
I’ve been making a concerted effort to ‘eat clean’, including having more veggies in my diet; maybe you are, too? That’s why I wanted to share one of my favorite easy side dishes right now: Air-fried sweet potato wedges that are full of flavor and nutrients (that aren’t all boiled out into the water).
Table of Contents
- How Do You Make Sweet Potato Wedges Crispy?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Substitutions & Variations
- Do You Have to Boil Sweet Potatoes Before Slicing or Air-Frying?
- How To Cut a Potato Into Wedges
- Expert Tips For Crispy Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes
- Make Ahead and Storage Info
- Recipe FAQs
- Delicious Starts Here
Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: Look for sweet potatoes that aren’t too long. They cut into a better wedge.
- Avocado Oil: Or any other neutral-tasting oil, such as vegetable or canola oil.
- Smoked Paprika: Provides a subtle smokiness.
- Dried Minced Onion: Delivers onion flavor and a bit of texture that clings nicely to the potatoes.
- Cayenne: Adds a bit of heat that balances the potatoes’ natural sweetness.
Refer to the printable recipe card below for ingredient quantities and detailed instructions.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
1. Whisk the oil and spices together until fully combined.
2. Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges and toss them in the seasoning.
3. Arrange the wedges in the air fryer basket in a single, uncrowded layer for crispness.
4. Air fry until crisp on the outside and tender in the center.
Substitutions & Variations
- Definitely dip these into mayonnaise! It takes this air fryer sweet potato recipe to the next level.
- Cut the sweet potatoes into rounds instead of wedges. Air fryer sweet potato slices will cook much faster.
- Using the same recipe, make air fryer sweet potato cubes perfect for a new take on home fries.
- For spicy sweet potato wedges, increase the cayenne to ½ teaspoon.
- Try air fryer steak fries by cutting thick sweet potato slices into 1-inch pieces.
- Experiment with different varieties, try air fryer Japanese sweet potato, or make potato wedges using russet potatoes.
Do You Have to Boil Sweet Potatoes Before Slicing or Air-Frying?
No. Boiling adds moisture and prevents crisping. For the best texture, start with raw sweet potato wedges in air fryer recipes.
Join my newsletter!
Subscribe and get a new recipe each week + my bonus guide: ‘5 Easy Baking Tips That Will Change the Way You Bake. Forever’
How To Cut a Potato Into Wedges
Using a sturdy chef’s knife, place the flattest part of the peeled sweet potato on the cutting board. Trim the edges, then carefully cut down the center lengthwise, and place both halves cut-side down. Cut each half lengthwise into quarters. If your potato is on the chubbier side, you may need to cut each half into six or wedges instead. Try to keep the wedges as even as possible; mixing very thin and very thick pieces can cause uneven cooking.
Expert Tips For Crispy Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes
- Avoid overcrowding the basket when air frying sweet potato wedges.
- If the wedges are wet, dry them well before adding oil. Removing surface moisture allows the hot air to crisp the outside instead of steaming it.
- You don’t need as much oil as you think. It may seem like there isn’t enough to cover all the wedges, so work in batches for the best coverage. Adding too much oil will make the sweet potato wedges soggy and overly greasy.
- These same tips apply to air fryer purple sweet potato or any other potato variety.
Make Ahead and Storage Info
Refrigerator: Air-fried sweet potato wedges are best eaten fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To bring them back to life, reheat sweet potato wedges in the air fryer until hot and crisp.
Freezer: Freezing sweet potato fries is easy and doesn’t significantly change their texture. Let the wedges cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or zippered freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer until heated through and crisp.
Recipe FAQs
No. Sweet potato skins are completely edible. In fact, many of the nutrients and antioxidants are found close to the skin. Leaving the peel on helps retain more of those nutrients and adds a bit of texture to the finished wedges.
That said, peeling is a personal preference; just be sure to scrub the potatoes well if you choose to leave the skins on.
Can this be made with yams?
Yes, if the potatoes are labeled ‘yams’ at the grocery store, they will still work. In the U.S., most “yams” are actually sweet potatoes.
True yams are different. They have rough, bark-like skin and flesh that can be white, yellow, or purple. They’re starchier and less creamy – more like a russet potato, and are uncommon in most grocery stores. If used, they may need a slightly longer cook time. In short, grocery-store ‘yams’ are sweet potatoes, so using them will give you the same results.
Delicious Starts Here
Like this recipe? Join my weekly newsletter for new recipes, kitchen tips, and seasonal inspiration; delivered fresh from my kitchen to yours 🧡
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes about 2.5 lbs total
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Equipment
Instructions
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place one sweet potato on a cutting board, trim the edges, and, using a chef’s knife, cut it lengthwise. Cut each half into 4-6 even wedges, about ¾-inch thick. Repeat with the second sweet potato.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, smoked paprika, dried minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the sweet potato wedges and toss until evenly coated.
- Transfer half the wedges to the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. You will need to cook them in two or three batches so they crisp properly.
- Cook for 10 minutes, shake the basket, then continue cooking for another 5–10 minutes until browned and crisp.
- Transfer the sweet potato wedges to a serving platter and season with flaky sea salt, if desired.
- Serve warm with my homemade mayonnaise.
Notes
Nutrition
If you try these air fryer sweet potato wedges, I’d love to know how you served them. Leave a review, and don’t forget to explore a few other recipes that pair perfectly with them, such as Mini Mac and Cheese Bites or my Corn and Cream Cheese Dip in a Skillet. These Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges are even better with my homemade Avocado Oil Mayonnaise for dipping. The creamy, tangy flavor pairs perfectly with the crispy wedges.
My family devoured these after shooting them for this post. I think you’ll love these as much as we did. Don’t skip out on dipping them into mayo!