Looking for a simple and delicious side dish or snack? Try this air fryer Japanese sweet potato recipe! The air frying technique creates a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft and tender. With minimal effort, you can whip up a batch of these delicious sweet potato bites!
Roasted Japanese sweet potatoes are seriously one of my all-time favorite foods. I could eat them every day and never tire of their delicious flavor. While I love serving them as a side dish, I can’t resist sneaking a few as a healthy snack now and then.
Growing up in Brazil, Japanese sweet potatoes were the only type available, so they hold a special place in my heart. If you haven’t tried them yet, be sure to do so as soon as possible – they’re just too good to miss!
When roasted, Japanese sweet potatoes become especially flavorful. While using the oven is an option, I prefer the ease and quickness of cooking with an air fryer. Additionally, it’s a great alternative in hot weather when using the oven can make the kitchen feel too warm.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Perfect texture: The air frying technique creates a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside soft and tender, making these air fryer Japanese sweet potato bites irresistible.
- Convenient: With the air fryer, you can make perfectly crispy sweet potato bites in just a matter of minutes. This recipe is quick and easy to make, taking only about 20 minutes to prepare and cook. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: You can use any seasonings you like to make your own unique flavor. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, you can experiment with different spices to create your own delicious blend. You can also cut the sweet potato into cubes, slices, wedges or fries, depending on your preference.
- Versatile: These air fryer Japanese sweet potato bites can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, and they pair well with many main dishes. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or toppings to make a satisfying main course.
- Healthy: The air fryer cooking method requires less oil, which makes it a healthier alternative to deep frying. Compared to regular French fries, sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins and fiber, making them a nutritious choice.
Ingredients you’ll need
You only need Japanese sweet potatoes, oil, and spices to make this recipe.
- Japanese Sweet Potatoes: They have a reddish-purple skin with white flesh that turns golden when cooked and can be found in most grocery stores, with my go-to being Costco or Whole Foods. When selecting your sweet potatoes, look for firm potatoes without bruises or discolorations, and avoid the ones that are becoming softer. For this recipe, I used one large sweet potato, which amounted to about 2 cups.
- Oil: Adding oil to the Japanese sweet potatoes helps the seasonings stick and ensures crispiness when cooking in the air fryer. While olive oil is my preferred choice, feel free to use any type of oil that you enjoy the taste of.
- Salt & Black Pepper: You can achieve a delicious flavor with just sea salt and black pepper in this recipe, but feel free to experiment with additional spices to suit your taste buds. For inspiration, check out the ‘Variations’ section in the blog post.
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. This section covers notes on ingredients and possible substitutions.
How to cook Japanese sweet potato in air fryer
You can make this recipe in just three easy steps.
Step 1: Prep
To start, wash the sweet potato thoroughly and use a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to pat it dry, ensuring that all excess moisture is removed.
Next, trim the pointed ends of the potato, and carefully cut it into your preferred shape. You can choose to cut it into small cubes, slices, or sticks. I recommend cutting them into 1/2 inch cubes for this recipe as it’s my preferred bite size, but make sure to keep all of the pieces similar in size for even cooking. Since sweet potatoes can be firm and hard to cut, I suggest using a sharp chef’s knife.
Keep in mind that the sweet potatoes will shrink slightly during cooking, so cut them slightly larger if you prefer bigger bites.
After cutting, if the sweet potato feels moist, pat it dry again before proceeding to the next step for maximum crispiness.
Note: I usually leave the skin on as it is safe to eat and rich in nutrients. However, if you prefer, you can use a vegetable peeler to peel the Japanese sweet potato.
Step 2: Coat
Next, it is time to add some flavor to the sweet potatoes. To do this, place the chopped sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl and add in some olive oil (or any other vegetable oil that you have available), sea salt, and spices.
Mix all the ingredients well until the sweet potatoes are evenly coated. You can use your hands to make sure that every piece of sweet potato is coated in the oil and seasonings.
Step 3: Cook
To cook Japanese sweet potato in an air fryer, place the pieces in a single layer, without overcrowding. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook at 360°F (182°C) for around 10-15 minutes, stopping halfway to shake the basket to ensure even cooking.
The cooking time may vary based on the size and shape of the sweet potato pieces and the type of air fryer you have. For reference, it takes 12 minutes to cook 1/2 inch cubes in my Ninja Air Fryer. I suggest starting with 10 minutes and adding 1-minute incremental cooking time as needed, adjusting according to your equipment.
Once they are cooked to your desired level of crispiness and tenderness, remove from the air fryer and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite seasoning blend or herbs if desired.
Note: Although my air fryer doesn’t require preheating, I’ve tested this recipe both with and without preheating, and it works fine either way. However, if you usually preheat your air fryer, I recommend doing so with this recipe to achieve better results. If you’re unsure, refer to your air fryer’s instructions.
Recipe video
Watch how to make this recipe:
Tips & recipe notes
- Cut the potatoes evenly. Cutting the Japanese sweet potato into similar-sized pieces will ensure that it cooks at the same rate in the air fryer. When the pieces are of different sizes, some will be overcooked while others will be undercooked.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. It’s important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket when cooking sweet potatoes or any other food. This will prevent the food from cooking evenly and may result in some pieces being overcooked while others are undercooked. Cook the sweet potato in batches if necessary.
- Don’t skimp on the oil. To get a crispy exterior on your sweet potato, it’s important to coat them fully in oil before cooking. The oil helps the sweet potatoes crisp up in the air fryer. Make sure to mix the sweet potatoes and oil well, so that every piece is coated in oil.
- Shake the basket. To ensure even cooking, shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time. This will help the sweet potatoes cook evenly and prevent any pieces from burning.
- Cook for longer for extra crispiness. If you want your sweet potatoes to be extra crispy, you can cook them for a few minutes longer than the suggested cooking time. Just keep an eye on them, so they don’t burn.
Variations
- Spices and Seasonings: While I prefer to stick to a simple seasoning, there are many spices and seasonings you can experiment with to add extra flavor to your sweet potato bites. Some options to try include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or chili powder. You can also try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a sweet and spicy twist.
- Different Shapes: You don’t have to stick to just cubes! Slicing the potatoes into rounds, wedges, or slices can add some variety to your meal. Remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the shape and size of your sweet potato pieces.
- Oven: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can still enjoy these Japanese sweet potato bites by baking them in the oven. To do this, preheat your oven to 360°F (182°C) and spread the sweet potato pieces apart on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and crispy. Remember to check on them occasionally and flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
Serving suggestions
- As a snack or appetizer: Serve the sweet potato bites with your favorite dipping sauce, such as cashew mayo, ketchup, tahini sauce, or lemon garlic aioli.
- As a side dish: Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to regular potatoes and can go with anything. Serve them alongside your favorite main dish or as a side to a salad or bowl. You can also make it a meal by adding some toppings, such as black beans, avocado, and salsa for a Mexican-inspired twist.
- For breakfast: Swap out roasted potatoes for sweet potato and serve with your favorite breakfast dishes like omelets or tofu scramble.
- In salads: Pair the sweet potatoes with other salad ingredients that complement their natural sweetness, such as bitter greens like arugula and radicchio, and crunchy nuts or seeds like almonds or pumpkin seeds.
- In bowls: Add the sweet potato to grain bowls, topping it with more veggies, protein, and a flavorful dressing.
Storage & reheating tips
These air fryer Japanese sweet potato bites are best enjoyed when freshly cooked.
If you want to meal prep or have leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C) for 3-5 minutes to regain their crispy texture. If you use a microwave, be aware that the sweet potatoes may become soft instead of crispy.
FAQs
It’s suggested to soak sweet potatoes in water before air frying or roasting to remove excess starch and increase crispiness. However, Japanese sweet potatoes have lower starch content compared to other types, so soaking is not necessary. To achieve crispy results, make sure to evenly coat the Japanese sweet potato pieces with oil and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Yes, you can peel and cut sweet potatoes in advance. To prevent them from turning brown, store them in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator until ready to use. However, it’s best to use them within a day or two to ensure they don’t lose their freshness and texture.
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PrintRecipe
Air Fryer Japanese Sweet Potato Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Quick and easy to make, these delicious air fryer Japanese sweet potato bites are perfect as a side dish or snack.
Ingredients
- 1 large Japanese sweet potato
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by washing the sweet potato thoroughly and patting it dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the sweet potato into evenly sized pieces of your preferred shape (cubes, slices, or sticks). I suggest cutting them into 1/2 inch cubes for even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper to taste. Toss them well until they are fully coated with seasoning.
- Arrange the sweet potato pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking. If needed, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Cook the sweet potato bites in the air fryer at 360°F (182°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
- Once the Japanese sweet potato bites are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can add extra salt and pepper to taste if desired.
Notes
Although my air fryer doesn’t require preheating, I’ve tested this recipe both with and without preheating, and it works fine either way. However, if you usually preheat your air fryer, I recommend doing so with this recipe to achieve better results. If you are unsure, please refer to your air fryer’s instructions.
Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To restore their crispiness, reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Check out the recipe post for ideas on how to modify the recipe and serving suggestions.
The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional’s advice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Air Fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the recipe
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 216.1 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: air fryer, air fried, roasted, japanese sweet potato
Nicholas
Simple, yet delicious! What a treat! My trainer told me to eat lots of potato during the day and this recipe came in handy! Mess free and healthy!
★★★★★