Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (2024)

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Learn how to cook the perfect Japanese sweet potato in air fryer for a healthy side that goes well with almost any main dish.

Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (1)

If you’re looking for a way to shake up your dinner routine, trying this Japanese sweet potato air fryer recipe is just the thing! With a similar sweetness to their orange-skinned cousins, purple Japanese potatoes are lighter and fluffier, particularly when cooked in the air fryer.

The purple skin of Air fried Japanese sweet potato is wonderfully crispy, and the pale, creamy flesh is fluffy and light. In addition, they have a subtly sweet flavor, almost like chestnuts, that complements salty dishes well.

Air fryer Japanese sweet potatoes are straightforward to make. Once they’re in the air fryer, they don’t need much attention, leaving you free to make the rest of your meal or just put your feet up!

Ingredients

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (2)

How to cook Japanese sweet potato in air fryer

Wash and pat dry the Japanese potatoes; using a fork, poke some holes in the purple potatoes and rub with olive oil.

Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (3)
Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (4)
Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (5)

Place the Japanese potatoes in the air fryer basket and air fry to 400ºF for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

How long to cook Japanese sweet potato in the air fryer

Depending on the size of your potato, it will take around 45 minutes to cook baked Japanese sweet potato in the air fryer.

Check to see if your potato is done by using a fork to check that it’s tender. If it’s not quite ready, leave it in a little longer.

What to eat with Japanese sweet potato

Japanese potato is perfect as a side for almost any dish and is great to make gluten-free pancakes with.

Try it with a bit of butter, served alongside theseBBQ chicken legs, air fryer steak bites, air fryer chicken breast, air fryer bone-in pork chops, and your favorite veggies for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Try some of our air fryer vegetables like;

  • Air Fryer Broccoli
  • Air fryer asparagus
  • Cauliflower steak in the air fryer
  • Air Fryer Buffalo cauliflower wings
Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (6)

How to store Japanese potato

You should store Japanese sweet potatoes in a cool (but not refrigerated), dark, and well-ventilated space away from heat sources when raw. Don’t store them in plastic bags.

Once cooked, store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and the freezer for up to 2 months.

I like to cook more than I need to have them on hand as a quick meal.

How to reheat Japanese sweet potatoes

There are a few ways that you can reheat air fryer purple sweet potato:

In the air fryer (recommended): You can reheat purple potatoes in the air fryer from room temperature or frozen, and you’ll get a lovely crispy skin and tender insides. Heat the air fryer to 350°F, and heat them for 10-15 minutes (this will be more like 20 minutes if frozen).

In the microwave: The microwave is the quickest way to reheat your potatoes, but there is a risk of them drying out. To avoid this, wrap them in a damp paper towel, and heat them on high for 1 minute. Then, check to see if they are hot through, and if not, continue to heat them in 10-second increments. If they are frozen, thaw them using the defrost setting first.

In the oven: To reheat in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F and then put the potatoes in for 10-15 minutes. You will need to defrost them first if they are frozen.

Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (7)

Where to buy Japanese sweet potatoes?

You can buy them in most grocery stores, especially Asian grocery stores or big national stores like Whole Foods and Costco.

They are also known as:
Murasaki sweet potato
Kotobuki
Purple sweet potato
Oriental sweet potatoes
Japanese yams
Ipomoea batatas (this is the botanical classification so that it may appear on the label)

How to choose a Japanese sweet potato?

When shopping for this kind of potato, be sure to choose a potato that has smooth skin and feels heavy when you hold them.

As they get older, they lose density, so they become lighter.

Potatoes with sticky liquid coming out are perfectly ripe, so snap them up!

Japanese sweet potatoes vs. sweet potatoes

The color is the most noticeable difference between Japanese sweet potatoes and the more common varieties. The Japanese variety has purple skin, and the flesh is creamy rather than orange.

Japanese sweet potatoes are much sweeter and have a slightly nutty flavor in terms of taste.

Are Japanese sweet potatoes healthy?

They are! These sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber and carbohydrates (around95% of the calories in Japanese sweet potatoes are carbohydrates), so they’re a good energy source.

They’re also a good source of Vitamin A, potassium, iron, and copper.

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More Air Fryer Potatoes recipes you’ll love

  • Air fryer Whole Sweet potatoes
  • Cubed sweet potatoes in air fryer
  • Air Fryer baby potatoes
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes In Air Fryer Recipe
  • Sausage and Potatoes Air Fryer Recipe
  • Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Recipe

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Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (8)

Easy Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Learn how to cook the perfect Japanese sweet potato in air fryer for a healthy side that goes well with almost any main dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium Japanese sweet potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

    1. Wash and pat dry the purple sweet potatoes; using a fork poke some holes in the purple sweet potatoes and rub with olive oil.
    2. Place the Japanese sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket and air fry to 400ºF for 45 minutes or until the Japanese sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Store leftover in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheat in the air fryer to 350ºF for 10-15 minutes

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 122Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 41mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated​, only the sodium in the other ingredients​ is calculated.

Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (9)
Japanese Sweet Potato Air Fryer Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why soak sweet potatoes before air frying? ›

If you'd like, you can soak the sweet potato slices for 30 minutes up to 2 hours before frying to remove excess starch. Personally, though, going through this step didn't make a real difference for my fries. Peels on or off — it's up to you!

What is the best way to eat Japanese sweet potato? ›

Healthy hints:
  1. Want some inspo on how to best enjoy your Japanese sweet potato? ...
  2. >> ...
  3. >> Add to pancake batter for sweet potato pancakes.
  4. >> Roast in a sesame-miso glaze.
  5. >> Purée into a sweet potato soup.
  6. >> Whirl into a sweet potato smoothie.
  7. >> Whip into fluffy mashed sweet potatoes.
  8. >> Cut into sweet potato fries.
Aug 21, 2023

What is the difference between sweet potato and Japanese sweet potato? ›

Japanese sweet potatoes have a concentrated yet natural sweetness that's earthier and nuttier than that of other sweet potatoes. They're also lighter and fluffier in texture, thanks to their starchiness and low moisture content.

Why are sweet potatoes soggy in air fryer? ›

Banish Soggy Sweet Potato Fries.

If your air fryer fries are soggy, it is likely because you over-crowded them in the basket. The sweet potatoes steam when crowded together, instead of air frying. For the best, most crispy results, cook the fries in a single layer so that the air has room to circulate.

What happens if you don t soak potatoes before air frying? ›

While it may seem like a pain, soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes prior to cooking them in the air fryer is essential. The water removes excess starch, allowing the fries to be their crispiest. Instead of soaking them in large bowl of cold water, I like to use hot water to cook the potatoes slightly.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes before frying? ›

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

Are Japanese sweet potatoes healthier than regular sweet potatoes? ›

Are Japanese sweet potatoes healthier than regular sweet potatoes? All varieties of sweet potatoes are good for you but these purple-skin tubers do have higher concentrations of specific vitamins and nutrients.

Do you have to peel Japanese sweet potato? ›

Piping hot stone-roasted sweet potatoes are a famous traditional Japanese cold-weather comfort food, and in my experience most people eat all or most of the skins, usually discarding only the bits that might have been overcooked/scorched and became tough.

Is it OK to eat Japanese sweet potato skin? ›

We eat the skin of Japanese sweet potatoes. That's why it's important to scrub and wash the sweet potatoes well before you bake them. Of course, you can peel it before you eat, but don't forget that the skin has plenty of nutrients!

What is another name for Japanese sweet potatoes? ›

Satsumaimo, or Japanese sweet potato, are everywhere in the fall, from trucks offering freshly roasted yakiimo (baked sweet potatoes) to convenience store treats and your local cake shop.

How do Okinawans eat purple sweet potato? ›

Okinawans typically serve sweet potatoes steamed, which perfectly renders their creamy texture and sweet flavor.

Why do sweet potatoes turn black in air fryer? ›

Why do my air fryer sweet potato fries turn black? Sweet potatoes contain a higher concentration of sugar than standard potatoes, and caramelize as they cook in the air fryer. If you find the fries are darkening too quickly or deeply, cook at a lower temperature, or for a shorter period of time.

How much heat and time should you put a sweet potato in an air fryer? ›

Sweet potatoes take 40 to 50 minutes to bake in the air fryer at 370 degrees F, compared to 50 to 65 minutes (or longer) in the oven (check out How to Bake a Sweet Potato). Use that time to whip up a fast, easy main like Pan Fried Chicken Breast. It's Super Versatile.

Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

Should you soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes in salt water? ›

This will help to rinse off the excess starch and help the potatoes crisp up beautifully in the oven. Once the potatoes have soaked, rinse and drain them. Then — also very important — use a towel to pat them down until they are nice and dry before moving onto the next step. 3.

Why do you need to soak potatoes before frying? ›

Why Do You Have to Soak Potatoes Before Frying? This step is commonly missed in making homemade fries, but it might be one of the most important! Soaking your fries in cold water helps remove excess starch, which allows for crispy, golden fries!

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