Making delicious sweet potato toast in the air fryer requires minimal ingredients, proving that healthy eating can be both simple and accessible. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• One Medium Sweet Potato: Aim for a sweet potato that is fairly cylindrical in shape, weighing approximately 9 ounces (or about 255 grams). This shape ensures easier, more uniform slices.
• Cooking Oil Spray: A non-aerosol cooking oil spray is recommended for even coating without excess oil. This helps achieve that desirable crispy exterior.
• Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings enhance the natural sweetness of the potato and provide a foundational flavor. Adjust quantities to your personal preference.

While these are the core ingredients for your basic sweet potato toast, the real fun begins with the toppings! We’ll explore a plethora of creative ideas to inspire your culinary adventures shortly.

Prepare the Sweet Potato: Begin by washing your sweet potato thoroughly. Carefully slice off the pointy ends. Using a sharp knife or, for best results, a mandoline slicer, cut the sweet potato into ¼-inch (0.64 cm) thick slices. You have the option to leave the skins on for added nutrients and rustic charm, or peel them if you prefer a smoother texture.

Tip for Optimal Slicing: The most aesthetically pleasing and evenly cooked toast slices will come from sweet potatoes that have a relatively straight, cylindrical shape. Sweet potatoes that are thin or twisty can be more challenging to slice uniformly, which might lead to uneven cooking. Consistency in thickness is key to achieving that perfect texture, so strive for slices as close to ¼-inch as possible.

Arrange and Season: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil spray. Arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap. This is vital for proper air circulation and crispy results. Mist the top of the slices with a little more oil and season generously with salt and pepper to taste. If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the slices in multiple batches to maintain a single layer.

Oven Directions: Baking Sweet Potato Toast Without an Air Fryer

No air fryer? No problem! You can still enjoy fantastic sweet potato toast using your conventional oven. This method involves a two-step process: baking to tenderize, then toasting to crisp. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a dark cookie sheet or baking tray with cooking spray. Darker pans tend to crisp food better, promoting a golden-brown finish.

Arrange your uniformly sliced sweet potato pieces on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch. Mist the slices lightly with cooking oil spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 13-15 minutes, placing the tray about one-third of the way down from the top of the oven. This positioning allows for even heat distribution. After baking, remove the slices and allow them to cool slightly. For that desirable crispy surface, finish them in a toaster oven or a traditional pop-up toaster. If using a regular pop-up toaster, be very conservative with the oil application to prevent any dripping that could cause a fire hazard. A toaster oven is generally safer and more recommended for this finishing step, as it provides more controlled heat and reduces the risk of oil drips.

Here are some delicious and inspiring topping ideas to spark your creativity, covering both savory and sweet cravings:

• Classic Avocado Toast: Creamy avocado slices, a generous sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick.
• Peanut Butter Banana Bliss: Smooth peanut butter spread, fresh banana slices, a dash of cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
• Berry Yogurt Delight: A dollop of Greek yogurt, fresh strawberries or blueberries, and a sprinkle of granola for crunch.
• Date & Almond Butter Power-Up: Rich almond butter topped with finely chopped dates for natural sweetness and a hint of chewiness.
• Raspberry Cream Cheese: Whipped cream cheese mixed with fresh lemon zest and mashed raspberries for a tangy, fruity spread.
• Fig & Tahini Dream: Tahini drizzle, fresh fig slices, a touch of maple syrup, and crumbled crispy bacon for a unique sweet and salty combination.
• Pesto & Fried Egg: Vibrant pesto sauce paired with a perfectly fried egg and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
• Mini Pizza Toast: Warm tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and mini pepperoni slices, then briefly return to the air fryer or oven to melt the cheese.
• Savory Leftover Remix: Spoon over leftover curry with chicken, peas, and cauliflower. Alternatively, try it with Palak Paneer for a flavorful vegetarian option.
• Smoked Salmon & Dill: Cream cheese, thinly sliced smoked salmon, a sprinkle of fresh dill, and a squeeze of lemon.
• Hummus & Cucumber: A layer of hummus, thinly sliced cucumber, and a dusting of paprika for a refreshing bite.
• Nutella & Strawberries: Decadent Nutella spread with fresh strawberry slices for a sweet treat.

• 1 sweet potato (about 9 ounces or 255 grams; choose a straight sweet potato with a cylindrical body for even slices)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• cooking oil spray (non-aerosol recommended)

1. Slice the pointy ends off the sweet potato. Using a knife or mandoline, carefully cut the sweet potato into ¼-inch thick slices (0.64 cm). You can leave the skins on if you like.

   
   Tip: You will get the neatest toast slices if your sweet potato is fairly cylindrical in shape. Thin, twisty ones are harder to work with. Try to keep the slices as uniform in thickness as possible so they cook evenly.
   

2. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the sweet potato slices in a single layer, mist them with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook them in batches.
3. 
   To air fry: Air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Flip the slices and cook for 1-6 minutes more, depending on how crisp you like them. (If you have an air fryer oven, use the top rack.) Let them cool for about 3 minutes before adding toppings and serving.
   
4. 
   To oven bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a dark baking tray with cooking spray. Arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer on the tray, mist them lightly with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper. Bake about a third of the way from the top of the oven for 13–15 minutes. Once done, let the slices cool slightly before finishing them in a toaster or toaster oven for extra crispiness.
   

💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule

This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Sweet potato toast is an incredibly versatile base for a variety of low-calorie breakfasts or a healthy snack. I personally love to combine protein from eggs and healthy fats from avocado with the energizing carbohydrates in sweet potatoes to create a complete, satisfying, and balanced meal.

Whether you choose to air fry or oven bake your sweet potato slices, this innovative toast alternative offers a multitude of benefits:

• Vegan-Friendly: Naturally plant-based, making it suitable for vegan diets.
• Gluten-Free: An excellent option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, or simply looking to reduce gluten intake.
• Budget-Friendly: Sweet potatoes are an affordable staple, making this a cost-effective healthy meal component.
• Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can create delicious toast in minutes.
• Packed with Vitamin A: Unlike most grain-based toasts, sweet potatoes are incredibly rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts to Vitamin A. This provides a significant phytonutrient boost along with complex carbohydrates, supporting vision, immune function, and skin health.

It’s important to keep in mind that sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable. While highly nutritious, they are not ideal for very low-carb or ketogenic diets. If you are strictly following one of these dietary approaches for weight loss or blood sugar management, a low-carb bread alternative might be a more suitable choice for you.

Delicious, convenient, and packed with nutrients, sweet potato toast is a simple yet powerful way to upgrade your meals and diversify your healthy eating routine.

Nutrition information is for one serving of two air fryer sweet potato toasts without toppings.