These Air Fryer Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a total game changer for weeknight meals! They’re comforting, satisfying, and loaded with flavor—plus, they come together faster than you’d think, thanks to the magic of the air fryer. Perfectly tender sweet potatoes stuffed with a hearty filling of your choice? Yes, please. Whether you’re going for a cozy dinner or meal prep for the week, this is one recipe that delivers every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: The air fryer cuts down the cooking time dramatically—no need to wait an hour for the oven to do its thing.
- Customizable: There’s endless room for creativity. Go classic with black beans and avocado, or get fancy with pulled chicken and feta.
- Nutritious and Filling: Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber and vitamins, and with a balanced filling, this becomes a complete meal.
- Minimal Cleanup: One appliance, one basket, and dinner is done—perfect for those nights when you want something delicious with zero fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the essentials for making these beauties:
- Sweet Potatoes: Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes—uniform in size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Olive Oil: Just a light coating helps the skins crisp up and gives that irresistible roasted flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Season simply to enhance the natural sweetness of the potato.
- Black Beans: Adds protein and heartiness to the filling. Rinse and drain for best texture.
- Corn: For sweetness and a bit of crunch. Frozen works well—just thaw before using.
- Red Onion: A pop of sharpness that balances the creamy elements beautifully.
- Avocado: Adds creaminess and richness—mashed or sliced, it’s always a win.
- Lime Juice: A splash of acidity brightens the whole dish and ties everything together.
- Cheese (optional): Feta, cheddar, or pepper jack can take your stuffed sweet potato to another level.
- Fresh Cilantro or Parsley: For freshness and color—don’t skip the herbs!
Variations
Want to switch things up? You’ve got options:
- Protein Swap: Add shredded rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or tofu for an extra protein punch.
- Tex-Mex Style: Mix in taco seasoning, top with sour cream, jalapeños, and salsa.
- Mediterranean-Inspired: Stuff with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and a drizzle of tzatziki.
- Vegan Delight: Skip the cheese and load up with extra avocado, black beans, and roasted veggies.
How to Make Air Fryer Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Step 1: Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Scrub the sweet potatoes clean and pat dry. Pierce them several times with a fork and rub lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt.
Step 2: Air Fry the Potatoes
Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not stacked. Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re fork-tender with crisp skins.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
While the potatoes cook, mix your filling. In a bowl, combine black beans, corn, chopped red onion, lime juice, and your choice of seasonings. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Stuff and Serve
Once the sweet potatoes are done, let them cool slightly. Slice them open down the middle and fluff the inside with a fork. Spoon the filling into each one, top with avocado, cheese (if using), and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Choose Similar-Sized Potatoes: This ensures even cooking without constantly checking and rotating.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Give each potato breathing room for crispy skins and perfect texture.
- Warm the Filling: Especially if using beans or protein, a quick warm-up keeps everything at the right temp when serving.
- Mix Textures: Combine creamy (avocado or cheese) with something crunchy (onions, seeds, or even crispy chickpeas) for a more satisfying bite.
How to Serve
These stuffed sweet potatoes are a meal on their own, but they also shine alongside:
Fresh Green Salad
A crisp salad with a lemon vinaigrette keeps the meal light and bright.
Soup Pairing
Try a cozy bowl of tomato basil soup or a light lentil stew for a wholesome combo.
Toppings Bar
Let everyone customize their own with toppings like hot sauce, Greek yogurt, pickled onions, or toasted seeds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any stuffed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked sweet potatoes (unstuffed) for up to 3 months. Let them cool, wrap individually, and freeze. Defrost and reheat before stuffing.
Reheating
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 2–3 minutes. If adding cheese, pop them back in the air fryer for a quick melt.
FAQs
Can I cook the sweet potatoes ahead of time?
Absolutely. Cook the sweet potatoes in advance and store them in the fridge. When ready to eat, just reheat and stuff them with your favorite filling.
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done?
They should be fork-tender with a crispy skin. If your fork goes in easily and they give slightly when squeezed, they’re perfect.
What size sweet potatoes work best?
Medium-sized sweet potatoes (about 6 inches long) are ideal—they cook evenly and are the perfect single-serving size.
Can I make these without an air fryer?
Yes! Roast them in the oven at 400°F for about 45–60 minutes. The skin won’t be quite as crispy, but they’ll still be delicious.
Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to. They’re endlessly adaptable, seriously satisfying, and so simple to make. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this dish makes healthy eating something to look forward to. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked after the first bite!
PrintAir Fryer Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and healthy air fryer stuffed sweet potatoes, perfect as a vegetarian main dish or hearty side, filled with flavorful ingredients and cooked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes. Pierce them a few times with a fork and rub with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place sweet potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 35–40 minutes, or until tender.
- While the sweet potatoes are cooking, prepare the stuffing: in a bowl, mix black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, cumin, and paprika.
- Once cooked, carefully cut open the sweet potatoes lengthwise and gently mash the inside with a fork.
- Spoon the bean and corn mixture into the sweet potatoes.
- Top with shredded cheese, if using, and return to the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Remove from the air fryer and top with sour cream or Greek yogurt and cilantro if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- You can add cooked quinoa or rice for extra bulk.
- Use dairy-free cheese and yogurt to make it vegan.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding chili flakes or hot sauce if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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