There's something super satisfying about the crispy edges and soft centers of these sweet potato wedges. This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe brings out the perfect balance of spice and natural sweetness, making it a snack or side dish you’ll want to make again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I tried air frying sweet potato wedges—right away, I was hooked. Unlike oven-baked versions, these come out tender inside with a texture that's crisp without all the oil of traditional frying. Plus, the spices give them such a cozy warmth that's just irresistible.
- Quick & Easy: You can have these tender-crisp wedges ready in just about 25 minutes, perfect for last-minute snacks or a side.
- Healthier Crunch: Uses minimal oil but still achieves a crispy bite thanks to the air fryer magic.
- Flavor Packed: A simple combo of chili powder, cumin, and salt highlights the natural sweetness beautifully without overpowering it.
- Versatile: Great as a snack, appetizer, or paired with your favorite main dishes—you’re going to find a million ways to enjoy these.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe plays its part to create flavor and texture harmony. Picking a firm, bright sweet potato is key, and the spices bring a gentle kick without overshadowing that natural taste.
- Sweet potato: Choose one that's firm with smooth skin. Medium to large size works best for wedges that cook evenly.
- Chili powder: Brings a mild smoky heat that perfectly complements the sweetness.
- Sea salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth.
- Ground cumin: Offers an earthy, slightly nutty note that rounds out the spices.
- Olive oil: Just enough to help the wedges crisp up without being greasy.
- Fresh parsley: Optional, but a sprinkle of green adds freshness and a nice pop of color.
Make It Your Way
I love to tweak the spice mix depending on my mood. You can absolutely play around with this recipe and personalize it—it’s forgiving and always delicious.
- Variation: One time, I added smoked paprika and a touch of garlic powder for a deeper smoky flavor, and it blew me away. You might want to try that if you like a bold twist!
- Dietary tweaks: Skip the oil entirely for less fat, but knowing you won’t get quite as much crispiness—that’s a trade-off I sometimes make.
- Spice level: If you prefer heat, sprinkle some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes before cooking for a zingy bite.
- Seasonal: Toss in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg during fall to complement that cozy sweet potato vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe
Step 1: Perfectly Cutting the Wedges
Start by washing your sweet potato well—no need to peel it since the skin adds great texture and nutrients. Cut it in half lengthwise, then slice each half into four wedges, so you end up with about eight even wedges. Using a sharp knife and a steady cutting board helps avoid any slip-ups—trust me, I’ve learned that the hard way!
Step 2: Season Like a Pro
Mix your chili powder, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cumin together in a bowl. Then sprinkle this spice blend over your wedges. Drizzle a little olive oil on top, and toss the wedges around with tongs or your hands to make sure every piece gets evenly coated. A dry sweet potato surface helps the oil and spices cling better, so I like to pat the wedges with a paper towel if they seem too moist.
Step 3: Air Frying to Crispy Perfection
Set your air fryer to 400°F and preheat it for a few minutes. Pop in the wedges and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F first. Then flip them over carefully and cook for another 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges—they should be nicely crisp but still soft inside. If you want them crispier, you can add a couple more minutes, but don’t go too long or they might dry out.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Once they’re done, sprinkle with fresh parsley for a burst of color and a hint of herbaceous freshness. Serve these wedges hot with your favorite dips—ketchup, sour cream, or even an herb aioli all work beautifully.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few simple tricks that make this air fryer recipe shine every time. These tips helped me avoid soggy wedges and achieve that crispy edge we all love.
- Dry Before Seasoning: After cutting, pat your sweet potato wedges dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture—this helps the oil and spices stick and encourages crispiness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure there’s space between the wedges in the air fryer basket so hot air circulates freely, giving you crispy wedges, not steamed ones.
- Flip Midway: Turning the wedges halfway through cooking ensures even browning on all sides.
- Experiment with Time: My air fryer runs a little hot, so I sometimes reduce the time slightly; know your machine’s quirks by checking a minute or two earlier or later than the recipe suggests.
How to Serve Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe
Garnishes
I always reach for fresh parsley because it adds a lovely pop of color and a fresh lift to the warm spices. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little smoked paprika or drizzle a little honey for a subtle sweet-smoky angle. You could also add chopped green onions or a squeeze of lime juice for a tangy twist.
Side Dishes
These wedges are a natural companion for grilled chicken, burgers, or even a big leafy salad. I love pairing them with a tangy coleslaw or a fresh cucumber salad to balance the warm, spiced wedges.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party snack, arrange the wedges in a big bowl with an array of dipping sauces around the table. On special occasions, I like serving them alongside a savory cheese board for a cozy, casual gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover wedges in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually last for 2-3 days. Before storing, I make sure they've cooled completely; otherwise, they can get soggy.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing cooked sweet potato wedges because they lose their texture and get mushy when thawed. It’s best to cook fresh batches when you want them crispy and fresh.
Reheating
The best way I've found to reheat leftovers is back in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes at 350°F, which hits the spot with crispness restored. You can microwave them in a pinch, but expect them to be softer, more like baked potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can use regular potatoes with this recipe, but cooking times might differ. Regular potatoes tend to crisp up more easily, so you may want to reduce cooking time or check for doneness earlier.
To get extra crispiness, make sure your sweet potato wedges are as dry as possible before tossing with oil and spices, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, and consider flipping them halfway through cooking. You can also experiment with cooking at a slightly higher temperature, but keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
You can prepare the sweet potato wedges ahead by cutting and seasoning them, then refrigerating for a few hours before air frying. However, for best texture, I recommend cooking them fresh whenever possible.
Classic ketchup is always a winner, but I love pairing these wedges with sour cream, garlic aioli, or a zesty Greek yogurt dip. You can even try spicy sriracha mayo for a fun kick.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe will quickly become a favorite in your home, just like it did in mine. It’s the perfect balance of easy, healthy, comforting, and delicious—exactly what I look for in a recipe I want to make again and again. Give it a try and I’m confident you’ll love how simple and satisfying it is to whip up these wedges anytime you want a cozy, crispy treat.
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and flavorful air fryer sweet potato wedges seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and sea salt, perfect as a healthy snack or side dish. These wedges are easy to prepare, cook quickly in the air fryer, and can be served with a variety of dips for a delicious treat.
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Wedges
- 1 medium to large sweet potato
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it's ready for cooking.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise. Then cut each half into 4 equal wedges, making a total of 8 wedges.
- Season the Wedges: In a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Sprinkle this spice mixture evenly over the sweet potato wedges.
- Coat with Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the wedges. Using tongs, toss the wedges to coat the oil and spices evenly, ensuring each wedge is well-seasoned.
- Cook the Wedges: Place the wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip the wedges carefully, then cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the wedges reach your desired level of crispness.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the wedges from the air fryer and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite sauces or dips.
Notes
- Be cautious when cutting sweet potatoes; use a sharp knife and a non-slip cutting board for safety.
- Dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly with a paper towel before adding oil and spices to avoid soggy wedges.
- The wedges are crispier than roasted potatoes but less crispy than fries; adjust air fryer timing to your preference.
- Ketchup, sour cream, aioli, or Greek yogurt make excellent dips to complement these wedges.
- Serve wedges immediately for best texture. Leftovers can be kept warm in a 200-degree oven or reheated in an air fryer or toaster oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Do not freeze cooked wedges.
- To reheat leftovers, use an air fryer for 5-10 minutes for the best crispness; microwaving is possible but will result in less crispy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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