🍠 Air Fryer Blooming Sweet Potatoes
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2–4)
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2–4 medium sweet potatoes
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2 tbsp olive oil (or melted butter)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
Optional toppings
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Grated cheese
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Sour cream or Greek yogurt
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Spring onions
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Crispy bacon bits
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Chilli flakes or honey drizzle
🔪 How to Cut “Blooming” Style
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Wash and scrub sweet potatoes (leave skins on)
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Place between two wooden spoons or chopsticks
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Slice thinly across (about 3–4mm apart)
👉 The spoons stop you cutting all the way through
👨🍳 Method
1️⃣ Season
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Brush or rub oil all over the potatoes
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Make sure oil gets between the cuts
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Mix spices and sprinkle generously, opening the slices gently
2️⃣ Air Fry
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Preheat air fryer to 190°C
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Place potatoes cut-side up (don’t overcrowd)
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Cook for 18–22 minutes
3️⃣ Crisp & Bloom
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Carefully fan the slices open with a fork
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Brush with extra oil or butter
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Air fry another 8–10 minutes until crispy edges form
4️⃣ Add Toppings (Optional)
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Add cheese for last 2–3 minutes to melt
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Finish with sour cream, herbs, or honey
⏱️ Total Time
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Prep: 10 minutes
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Cook: 26–32 minutes
❓ Q & A
Q: Why aren’t my sweet potatoes blooming?
A: Cuts may be too thick or not enough oil. Try thinner slices and brush oil between them.
Q: Can I parboil first?
A: Not necessary, but parboiling for 5 minutes speeds cooking for very large potatoes.
Q: Foil or no foil?
A: No foil — airflow helps them crisp and bloom properly.
Q: Can I use butter instead of oil?
A: Yes, but mix with oil or add halfway through to prevent burning.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat in air fryer at 180°C for 5–7 minutes.