This Candied sweet potatoes recipe is a classic Thanksgiving favorite and now it gets an air fryer twist. It’s a recipe that will please vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
When your oven is busy cooking that perfect thanksgiving dinner, how can you make easy sides dishes like candied sweet potatoes?
Your air fryer is happy to step in and make these candied sweet potatoes.
No one will know the difference.
Navigate This Post
Tips for making them
- Choosing the right sweet potato is important. Check out my tips on getting the perfect sweet potato.
- Use a mandoline to make the circular pieces of the sweet potatoes. These way, you have even thickness of the sweet potatoes
- This is one of those recipes where you have to remove the skin. It’s sad, I know, but it’s better for the taste of the candied potatoes
- I used vegan butter in this recipe, but, you can use the regular butter too.
- Go with a light brown sugar over a dark brown sugar because dark sugar can over power the flavors. What you need is to have is the taste of the sweet potatoes to stand, not the sugar.
- You can also add a crumbly top like the one I used in this blueberry crumble. It adds texture.
- Lime juice is very important to this recipe because it tones out the sweetness from the sugars and the sweet potatoes.
- To prevent the sweet potatoes from becoming too runny, use the exact amount of butter and sugar listed in the recipe. They become runny when their is more liquid than the sweet potatoes can handle.
- In my recipe, I use 1 sweet potato only. This should serve 2 people. You can make more and use a larger pan that will fit in the air fryer basket.
- This recipe also makes use of my homemade pumpkin spice. If you can make your own to use in this recipe, please do so.
Canned sweet potatoes or fresh?
You can use canned sweet potatoes (or yams) in this recipe, but, it won’t taste the same.
For this recipe, it is better to use fresh sweet potatoes over canned. They make for a better texture and taste.
Also, canned yams come with so much added stuff like syrup and sugars. Who wants to taste corn syrup with yams?
Making them in the air fryer
Most people are used to making them in the oven because it’s traditionally done that way.
But, what if your oven is already pulling triple or quadruple duty? On Thanksgiving day, it’s the busiest appliance on the planet!
So, instead, give some of the tasks to your air fryer. It frees up your oven to do other things.
You can always cook them in the oven too. Adjust the time to about 15 minutes.
I have a list of even more potato recipes that are a must-make for Thanksgiving. If you don’t have an oven, I have an entire Thanksgiving Feast prepared in the air fryer and it’s all vegan friendly.
Equipments used
- COSORI Max XL
- 7″ Pizza pan
- Peeling knife
- Wax paper
- Stainless steel skillet
What makes them vegan?
- Use of vegan butter – Traditional recipes call for use of regular butter. But, I use vegan butter in this recipe and it tastes good.
- Use of vegan friendly sugar – I know it’s hard to believe, but not all sugars are vegan friendly. Many use animal bone for cutting the sugar. I use Wholesome Organic’s light brown sugar. It’s easy to find in grocery stores or big box stores. And, there is always Amazon.
Answering your questions
Sadly, this is not a make-ahead recipe. The sweet potatoes are caramelized using sugar which will harden or become too sticky to eat. I suggest you slice the sweet potatoes the night before, but make this recipe when you are ready to eat.
Yes, you can make it in the oven. Preheat oven to 320°F and cook for about 40-45 minutes. Check using a knife tip. Push knife tip into a sweet potato and if the tip goes in easily, it’s ready.
No, I don’t recommend using them. They come with added syrups and preservatives which ruin the taste of the sweet potatoes.
Suggested main dishes
Check out my vegan thanksgiving recipes collection.
A few sweet potato recipes
Sweet potato is even better when topped with southwestern favorites.
Steak sized potato wedges with a crispy outside is exactly what your tastebuds want.
A breakfast recipe made in one cast iron pan!
Air fryer sweet potato tartlets
When you don’t want to share sweet potato casserole, you make tartlets out of them.
Fluffy sweet potato drop biscuits recipe
Fluffy drop biscuits are a must-have at your Thanksgiving table.
Sharing is caring
Don’t be shy, chime in below in the comments. Let me hear your opinion on this recipe.
Thank you for reading my recipe this far. If you make this recipe, feel free to give it a 5-star rating. Be sure to share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Best Air Fryer Candied Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- COSORI Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato
- 6 Tbsp vegan butter or regular butter
- 1/8 tsp vanilla extract optional
- 3.5 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 small cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 tsp lime juice or lemon juice, use fresh
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potato and remove any black spots
- Use a mandoline to slice the sweet potatoes
- Cut the slices into halves to make it easier to arrange in the pan
- Arrange the slices in the pizza pan and set aside
- In a stainless steel baking pan, add the butter
- Set it to low heat and let the butter melt
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well
- When the sauce is like a syrupy consistency, turn off the heat
- Slowly drizzle the sauce over the potatoes
- Make sure you get all the potatoes drenched in the liquid
- Put down a wax paper in the air fryer basket
- Place the pizza pan on top of the basket
- Put the basket in the air fryer
- Cook for 10 minutes on 300°F (149°C)
Video
Notes
- Use a mandoline to make the circular pieces of the sweet potatoes. These way, you have even thickness of the sweet potatoes
- I used vegan butter in this recipe, but, you can use the regular butter too.
- Go with a light brown sugar over a dark brown sugar because dark sugar can over power the flavors.
- You can also add a crumbly top for texture texture.
- Lime juice is very important to this recipe because it tones out the sweetness from the sugars and the sweet potatoes.
- In my recipe, I use one sweet potato only. This should serve 2 people. You can make more and use a larger pan that will fit in the air fryer basket.
Farrukh Aziz says
This is such a perfect side for the family dinner, thank you so much Rini! Definitely my favorite sweet potatoes!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you. I am so glad to hear that.
Chenée says
These sweet potatoes look so good! I love the addition of lime juice. I can’t wait to try these this Thanksgiving.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Chenee. I plan to make it for thanksgiving and all year round, lol. I am addicted to it.
Nicole says
This is one of my favorite dishes during the holidays!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Nicole
Brianna says
I loved these candied sweet potatoes! I especially loved that using the air fryer frees up space in the oven!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Brianna. That’s one of my favorite things about it.
Linda says
I’ve never tried making candied sweet potato and this one will be on our Thanksgiving dinner menu!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Linda. I have a feeling you will like it.
Amy Casey says
Thanks for a new sweet potato recipe to add to our Thanksgiving celebration. The combination of pumpkin pie spice and ginger sounds amazing! I can’t wait to make this recipe.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you so much, Amy
veenaazmanov says
Sounds like a flavorful dessert. Never tried such an awesome recipe ever. Lools mouth melting and yum.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Veena
Mikayla says
First the picture grabbed my attention, beautiful dark rich potatoes. After reading through, had to make this. I was quite pleased with the flavors.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Mikayla
Angie says
Cooking sweet potato slices as well as other Thanksgiving sides in an air fryer is a great idea!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Angie
Susan says
I love candied sweet potatoes, and Thanksgiving just doesn’t sit right with me unless they’re on the table. What a great recipe for making them in the Instant Pot! Thanks!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Susan.
Carolyn says
How long in a regular oven
Healing Tomato says
You can cook it in the oven for 15-20 minutes