These air fryer Japanese sweet potatoes cook up soft, creamy, and fluffy on the inside with very little effort. The air fryer makes it easy to get perfectly cooked sweet potatoes without turning on the oven, making them a simple side dish for busy weeknights.
Japanese sweet potatoes are naturally sweeter than many other sweet potato varieties and have a rich, creamy texture when cooked properly. Whether you serve them alongside your favorite protein or enjoy them as a light meal, they're a satisfying option that requires minimal prep and cleanup.
With just a few simple tips, it's easy to get that perfectly soft and creamy texture every time. Below, you'll find everything you need to know to make air fryer Japanese sweet potatoes successfully, including how to choose them, cook them, and tell when they're done.
For easier dinner ideas, you can check out our air fryer dinners category.
Quick Success Tips
- I like to choose potatoes that are similar in size so they finish cooking around the same time.
- Start checking for doneness a few minutes early because smaller potatoes can cook faster than expected.
- Let the potato rest for a few minutes after cooking. The inside continues to soften as it rests.
- A fork should slide easily through the center when the potato is done.
- Japanese sweet potatoes are naturally sweeter than many orange sweet potatoes, so they don't need much topping to taste great.
Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Japanese Sweet Potatoes
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 turns crisp in the air fryer, while the pale, creamy flesh stays fluffy and light. Their subtly sweet, chestnut-like flavor pairs well with savory dishes.
These air fryer Japanese sweet potatoes are easy to make and require very little hands-on time. Once they're cooking, you're free to make the rest of your meal or take a short break.
Ingredients
You only need a few basic ingredients to make this recipe.
- Japanese sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
**Find the full ingredient list and recipe instructions in the recipe card below.**
How to cook Japanese sweet potato in air fryer
Wash and pat dry the potatoes. Use a fork to poke a few holes, then rub with olive oil.
Place the Japanese potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for 45 minutes or until fork-tender.
What I've Learned Cooking Japanese Sweet Potatoes
One thing I've noticed is that cooking time can vary quite a bit depending on the size of the potato. Smaller potatoes usually finish cooking sooner than larger ones, so I start checking them a little earlier.
I usually start checking for doneness a little early by sliding a fork into the center. When the fork goes in easily, the inside is usually soft, creamy, and ready to eat.
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 sweet potatoes work well as a side for many main dishes.
These sweet potatoes pair well with other quick meals like air fryer honey garlic chicken, air fryer steak bites, air fryer turkey bacon, 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;
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.
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)
FAQ's
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)
Look for Japanese sweet potatoes with smooth skin that feel firm and heavy for their size. I also avoid potatoes with soft spots or wrinkles since those are usually signs they are older
The easiest way is to insert a fork into the center. When the fork slides in easily with little resistance, the inside is soft, creamy, and ready to eat.
It usually needs more cooking time. Larger potatoes can take longer to cook than smaller ones, even when they look similar from the outside. Continue cooking and check again every few minutes until a fork slides easily into the center.
No. I cook Japanese sweet potatoes directly in the air fryer basket. This helps the skin cook properly while allowing the inside to become soft and creamy.
Tools used to make the recipe.
"As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases"
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
Please, do not forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. for more healthy recipes and ideas. Thank you for reading Enjoy Clean Eating!
Air Fryer Japanese Sweet Potato (Soft and Creamy)
Learn how to cook air fryer Japanese sweet potatoes with a soft, creamy, and fluffy center every time. This easy side dish pairs well with your favorite proteins and weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 2 medium Japanese sweet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the purple sweet potatoes; using a fork poke some holes in the purple sweet potatoes and rub with olive oil.
- 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: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount 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.
