This air fryer Hasselback sweet potatoes recipe turns ordinary sweet potatoes into a super flavorful side dish. These crispy on the outside, tender on the inside sweet potatoes combine sweet maple syrup with melted butter, paprika, and fresh thyme, for an easy yet satisfying dish.
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The Hasselback technique brings these sweet spuds to a whole new level, especially when you cook them in the air fryer.
The classic Hasselback technique of slicing the sweet potatoes into thin, even cuts helps them crisp up beautifully on the outside while staying soft and tender on the inside and the sauce is able to reach all the way through the potato.
The combination of flavors in this dish is really special. Maple syrup brings out the sweetness of sweet potatoes even more, while fresh thyme adds a hint of earthy, herbal flavor. Paprika brings a touch of smokiness and melted butter brings it all together for a side dish that's rich, flavorful, and something I want to eat every day right now! Also, I bet this would be great with a drizzle of tahini!
Whether you're serving these at a holiday dinner like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or for a weeknight meal, they'll bring fantastic flavor to your table.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- sweet potatoes: I use mini sweet potatoes for this recipe. 4 of the mini sweet potatoes that I buy weigh about 700 grams together, or about 1.5 lbs. If using larger sweet potatoes, the cooking time will need to be extended. You may want to foil them to start so they don't burn, and then remove the foil later in the cooking time to allow them to get crispy.
- sauce: butter for richness, maple syrup for sweetness, paprika, salt and pepper for flavor and seasoning.
- thyme: fresh thyme for savory herby flavor.
Substitutions
- butter: try coconut oil instead, which pairs really well with sweet potatoes (it's one of my favorite combos.) Or try another oil you regularly use for cooking (like vegetable oil or olive oil). I use plant-based butter.
- maple syrup: you can try honey instead like in my honey roasted carrots recipe.
Tip
No air fryer? Make this in the oven instead. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 40-50 minutes (or longer for larger sweet potatoes).
Instructions
Prep Tips
The Hasselback style of cutting potatoes helps bring flavor all the way through the potato because the sauce can get in between the slices.
To cut the potatoes using this technique you'll need something to rest the potatoes in between. I use wooden chopsticks. You can also use wooden spoons or something similar. Use the photo below for reference.
- Place the potato between the two chopsticks and use the knife to makes slices all the way down the potato, as show in the photo above. The chopsticks prevent the knife from going all the way through the potato. If they move around (and they probably will) just reposition them.
- Make the sauce by melting the butter and adding maple syrup, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Stir well.
- Place the potatoes on a foil-lined air fryer baking sheet (use the foil so the liquid doesn't leak through the tray and burn). Spoon the sauce on the potatoes, gently opening the slices so the sauce slides between them.
- Brush more sauce on the exteriors of the potatoes. You'll use about half of the sauce here, saving some to brush on halfway and once the potatoes are done.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, brushing the sauce on halfway through cooking time. The potatoes are done when fork tender. Test this by poking a fork into a thick part of the potato. If it slides in easily and without resistance, it's ready!
- Brush the last of the sauce on the finished potatoes and serve them hot.
Tips for making air fryer Hasselback sweet potatoes
- Choose similar-sized potatoes so they all cook at the same rate.
- Preheat the air fryer before adding the sweet potatoes so they get a nice crispy exterior.
- When adding the glaze, make sure to get in between the slices as well as on the outside.
- Check the sweet potatoes close to the end of the cooking time. The cooking time will vary depending on both the size of your sweet potatoes and your air fryer model (they all kind of cook differently). I use the oven-style Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer with baking racks, not the basket-style.
What to serve with Hasselback sweet potatoes
For a quick weeknight dinner, pair these sweet potatoes with something crunchy like panko chicken strips or buffalo shrimp tacos. For burger night pair with a Blackstone smash burger.
Or try these potatoes with a carrot and black lentil salad or bulgur pilaf to keep things vegetarian.
Try air fryer sweet potato wedges next!
More Sweet Potato Recipes
Storage
Let the potatoes cool completely and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
FAQs
Yes, you can also cook these sweet potatoes in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. Try baking them at 425°F (220°C) for 40-50 minutes, or until fork tender. Make sure to brush with the glaze as the recipe card directs.
Recipe
Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. sweet potatoes 4 small sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, I use plant-based butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Make the sauce by adding the melted butter, maple syrup, paprika, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Mix well. Set aside.
- To cut the potatoes, place one in between two chopsticks or wooden spoons. Make evenly spaced cuts into the potato from top to bottom. The chopsticks will prevent the knife from going all the way through.
- Set the potatoes on a foil-lined air fryer baking tray. (If using a basket, place foil on the bottom.) The foil prevents the sauce from leaking through the baking tray.
- Preheat the air fryer at 375℉ (190℃).
- Using about half of the sauce, spoon it onto the sweet potatoes, making sure to open the slices in the potato so the sauce can seep down into each cut for the best flavor. Brush the outsides with the sauce also.
- Air fry for 10 minutes. Brush the glaze over the potatoes and return them to the air fryer for another 15-20 minutes or until fork tender.
- Once the potatoes are done, brush them with the sauce again and serve them hot.
Equipment
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
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