Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots
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If you're looking for a new and fun way to enjoy sweet potatoes, these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots are just what you need! With a crispy, savory coating and a soft, naturally sweet center, every bite is packed with flavor and absolutely irresistible! Think of them as a lighter twist on traditional tater tots, with all the crispy, satisfying goodness you know and love.
Even better, these homemade sweet potato tots are incredibly easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients and the help of an air fryer. They cook up perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while staying soft and tender on the inside, all without the need for deep frying. Whether you're serving as an easy side dish, a quick snack, or a fun appetizer, these sweet potato tots are a delicious addition to just about any meal!
These sweet potato tots would be perfect served alongside any main dish, but especially something savory like these Best Homemade Smash Burgers or these delicious Double Crunch Chicken Drumsticks.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple side dish: It's a fun switch-up from your everyday side dishes!
- Minimal ingredients: You'll most likely have all of the seasonings on hand!
- No deep frying required - The air fryer gives the outside a lightly crispy texture without needing a pot of hot oil.
- Homemade goodness: These tots are made using fresh sweet potatoes right in your own kitchen. So much better than store-bought!
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep these tasty bites ahead of time for a convenient, easy addition to busy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make these homemade sweet potato tots!
- Sweet potatoes: Use fresh sweet potatoes for the best natural sweetness and soft texture.
- Panko breadcrumbs: If you don't have Panko breadcrumbs, you can use seasoned or unseasoned breadcrumbs. They help bind the sweet potato mixture together while adding a little extra crunch to the outside.
- Garlic powder: Adds a savory kick to balance out the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Smoked paprika: Gives the tots a subtle smoky flavor.
- Onion powder: Brings another layer of savory flavor that pairs well with the garlic powder.
- Salt: Enhances all flavors of the other ingredients. I recommend adding an extra sprinkle of salt right as the tots come out of the air fryer.
- Black pepper: Adds a peppery kick to round out the other seasonings.
- Olive oil: A light coating helps the potatoes crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Customize the seasonings: Have fun switching up the seasonings to match the flavor you're craving. Try cinnamon for a sweeter twist or Cajun for a little kick!
- Oven-baked tots: Don't have an air fryer? Bake the tots on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and lightly crisp. Lightly spray with cooking spray before baking for best results.
- Make them cheesy: Sprinkle in a little of your favorite shredded cheese to the sweet potato mixture for a cheesy twist! Cheddar, parmesan, or monterey jack would all be perfect!
- Pre-mashed sweet potatoes: If you want to save a little prep time, pre-mashed sweet potatoes work great! I love making these with Thanksgiving leftovers! Just make sure my potatoes not overly wet, as the excess moisture may make them harder to shape.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots
Once you've gathered all your ingredients, preheat the air fryer to 390°F and follow the steps below for this sweet potato tots recipe.
- Step 1: Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Cover with water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and cook for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender.
- Step 2: Drain the sweet potatoes and let them sit in a colander for a few minutes to remove excess moisture. Transfer to a bowl, mash until smooth, and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Combine mashed sweet potatoes with Panko breadcrumbs and seasonings. Mix well, then let sit for 5 minutes to absorb excess moisture.
- Step 4: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time and gently shape it into a small tot-sized cylinder.
- Step 5: Lightly spray tots with cooking spray and arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 6-7 minutes, flip, and cook another 5-7 minutes until golden and lightly crisp.
- Step 6: Let the tots cool for 2-3 minutes before removing them from the basket. Serve warm with ketchup, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Helpful Tips
- Make ahead and freeze: These sweet potato tots are great for making ahead of time! Just prepare, shape, and freeze them until you're ready to pop them in the air fryer. Now, if you have an overabundance of sweet potatoes and have a furry friend, you need to check out these chewy sweet potato dog treats as well!
- Don't overcook the sweet potatoes: Be careful not to over boil your potatoes and cook them just until you can pierce with a fork, but they are still firm. This makes it easier to shape the potatoes and ensure that they'll hold their shape while cooking.
- Keep them uniform: Try to make your tots as close to the same size as possible. They don't have to be perfect, but keeping them uniform helps them cook evenly and crisp up at the same time.
- Air fryers can vary: Every air fryer cooks slightly differently, so cooking times may vary depending on the model you have. Keep an eye on the tots toward the end of cooking to make sure they get crispy without burning.
- Arrange in a single layer: For the crispiest results, place the tots in a single layer with a little bit of space between each one. This lets the hot air circulate and crisp up the outside. You may need to cook your potatoes in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
Recipe FAQs
The key is removing excess moisture from the cooked sweet potatoes and using enough breadcrumbs to help bind the mixture together. Letting the mixture rest for 5 minutes also gives the breadcrumbs time to absorb moisture. Be sure to let the cooked tots cool for a couple of minutes before moving them.
Homemade buttermilk ranch dressing and ketchup are both great choices! You can also serve the sweet potato tots with honey mustard, chipotle mayo, barbecue sauce, or a creamy garlic dipping sauce. The savory seasonings in these tots pair nicely with both creamy and slightly sweet sauces.
You can use frozen sweet potato cubes, but make sure they're cooked and drained thoroughly before mashing. Frozen sweet potatoes may release more moisture, so you might need to add a little extra Panko breadcrumbs to help the mixture hold together.
Yes, absolutely! These tots are super simple to make ahead of time and store until you're ready to air fry them. Just prepare and shape the tots, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer until you're ready to cook them.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
Store the tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For the best texture, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and lightly crisp on the outside. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the tots will be softer.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze the assembled, uncooked tots in a single layer until they are firm, and then move them to a freezer safe container for longer storage. When you're ready to cook them, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and cook until they're hot and crispy. You can also freeze cooked tots after they cool completely.
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potatoes
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs (plus more as needed)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 12-15 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- Drain the sweet potatoes well and let them sit in the colander for a few minutes to allow any excess moisture to evaporate.
- Transfer the sweet potatoes to a medium bowl and mash until smooth. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
- Add the Panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt and black pepper to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir until well combined.
- Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so the breadcrumbs can absorb some of the moisture.
- Check the consistency. The mixture should be soft but firm enough to shape. If it is too sticky, add additional Panko 1 tablespoon at a time until it holds together.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time and gently shape it into a small tot-sized cylinder.
- Lightly spray the tots on all sides with cooking spray.
- Arrange the tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Work in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 6-7 minutes, then carefully turn the tots over.
- Continue air frying for another 5-7 minutes, or until the outsides are golden brown and lightly crisp.
- Let the tots cool for 2-3 minutes before removing them from the basket. Serve warm with ketchup, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Make ahead and freeze: These sweet potato tots are great for making ahead of time! Just prepare, shape, and freeze them until you're ready to pop them in the air fryer.
- Don't overcook the sweet potatoes: Be careful not to overboil your potatoes and cook them just until you can pierce with a fork, but they are still firm. This makes it easier to shape the potatoes and ensure that they'll hold their shape while cooking.
- Keep them uniform: Try to make your tots as close to the same size as possible. They don't have to be perfect, but keeping them uniform helps them cook evenly and crisp up at the same time.
- Air fryers can vary: Every air fryer cooks slightly differently, so cooking times may vary depending on the model you have. Keep an eye on the tots toward the end of cooking to make sure they get crispy without burning.
- Arrange in a single layer: For the crispiest results, place the tots in a single layer with a little bit of space between each one. This lets the hot air circulate and crisp up the outside. You may need to cook your potatoes in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.