Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflé

Are you looking for a delicious and healthier way to enjoy sweet potatoes? Look no further than this air fryer sweet potato souffle recipe – the perfect mix of sweet and savory that will have your taste buds dancing! Using simple ingredients like sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and eggs, this recipe is easy to make and will impress your guests at any gathering.

Prep 15

Cook time 1 30

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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflé is an easy way to make a classic holiday side dish without taking up valuable oven space. The sweet potatoes become creamy and rich, then get finished with a buttery brown sugar pecan topping that bakes right in the air fryer.

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ffle casserole topped with a golden-brown pecan crumble sits in a square teal baking dish on a light surface, ready to serve.

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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflé

This sweet potato soufflé has the texture of a soft, creamy casserole with a crisp, buttery topping. It’s a little different from traditional sweet potato casserole because there are no marshmallows. Instead, the topping uses brown sugar, pecans, flour, cinnamon, and butter.

And the air fryer does the heavy lifting.

If you’re planning Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, this is a great recipe to add to the menu when the oven is already busy with Stuffed Turkey Breast, ham, rolls, and other side dishes.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflé

It’s a great alternative to traditional sweet potato casserole.
The sweet potatoes cook in the air fryer. No need to boil them first.
It saves oven space. That’s especially helpful during the holidays.
The filling is creamy and lightly sweet.
The pecan topping adds crunch.
It can be prepared in a small baking dish that fits inside your air fryer.

Sweet potatoes are tender and naturally sweet, complemented by the brown sugar and a touch of cinnamon.

The air frying process not only locks in the flavors but also adds a delightful crispness to the edges, which contrasts beautifully with the creamy inside. Pecan and brown sugar topping caramelizes to create a mouthwatering crust that’s both sweet and nutty. It’s a true delight!

A spoonful of sweet potato casserole in a blue dish.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflé

Sweet potatoes have long been a beloved staple on dinner tables around the world. Their natural sweetness and versatility make them a delightful addition to any meal.

You may have had sweet potato casserole cooked the old-fashioned way in the oven. This recipe cuts the cooking time down to a fraction of the traditional method. We all know that time and oven space are limited during the holidays!

Enter your new kitchen friend, the air fryer! Welcome to the mouthwatering world of air fryer sweet potato soufflé. Imagine the luscious blend of sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and pecans, all baked to perfection in an air fryer. If that doesn’t have you salivating, just wait until you get a taste!

In addition, my new secret obsession is Trader Joe’s sweet potato gnocchi, so good!

A casserole dish with a spoonful of cranberry pecan crumble.

Sweet Potato Soufflé, What you need to get started

Air fryer sweet potato soufflé captures the essence of autumn in every bite. This dish combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with brown sugar, pecans, and a hint of cinnamon, creating a rich and comforting flavor profile. The air fryer enhances the texture, leaving you with a mouthwatering combination of tender sweetness and a crisp, caramelized topping. It’s a must-try recipe that’s perfect for holidays, special occasions, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and satisfying.

Sweet potatoes
Butter
Brown sugar
Milk
Eggs
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Salt
Pecans
All-purpose flour

Sweet potato souffle in a white dish with a spoon.

How to Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflé

The full, printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.

Cook the sweet potatoes
Place the sweet potatoes directly into the air fryer. Air fry at 400°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Make the sweet potato mixture
Place the peeled potatoes in a large bowl. Add the butter, brown sugar, and whole milk. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth, then add the eggs and vanilla.
Prepare the air fryer pan
Spray a baking pan that fits inside your air fryer with nonstick cooking spray.
Make the pecan topping
Combine the cinnamon, salt, brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, and melted butter. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.
Air fry the soufflé
Place the pan into the air fryer and cook for about 1 hour. Watch the topping as it cooks.
Let it rest
Remove the sweet potato soufflé from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Souffle

Choose sweet potatoes that are similar in size

Using potatoes that are about the same size helps them cook at approximately the same rate.

Don’t skip the eggs

The eggs aren’t just there for richness. They help give the sweet potato mixture its softer, lighter souffle-like texture.

Watch the pecan topping

The topping contains brown sugar and butter, so it can brown quickly. If it looks like it’s getting too dark before the souffle is finished, cover it loosely with foil.

Let it rest before serving

Give the souffle 10 minutes after cooking. It will be easier to serve and the filling will have time to firm up slightly.

Use a pan that fits your air fryer

Air fryer baskets and ovens vary considerably in size. The important thing is that the baking dish fits comfortably and allows air to circulate around it.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle with pecans and pecans.

Can I Use Canned Sweet Potatoes?

You can, but I prefer freshly cooked sweet potatoes for this recipe.

Freshly cooked sweet potatoes give you more control over the texture and sweetness. Canned sweet potatoes can also contain added syrup, so the finished soufflé may be sweeter and softer.

If you use canned sweet potatoes, drain them very well before mashing.

What Size Pan Do I Need?

Use a baking dish that fits comfortably inside your particular air fryer.

A shallow dish is preferable because it allows the heat to reach the sweet potato mixture and topping more evenly.

The most important thing is not the exact pan measurement. It’s making sure the pan fits inside your air fryer with enough room for air to circulate.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflein a blue dish with a spoon.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle in a white bowl with a spoon.

Sweet Potato Casserole Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sweet potato soufflé ahead of time. Once it’s baked, allow it to cool, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. You can reheat it in the air fryer or oven until it’s heated through.

Can I use a traditional oven instead of an air fryer?

Absolutely! While the air fryer adds a unique crispness to the dish, you can achieve a similar result in a conventional oven. Simply follow the same recipe and bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes, or until it’s cooked through and the top is golden brown.

Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this sweet potato soufflé is vegetarian-friendly as it doesn’t contain any meat or animal-derived ingredients.

Can I use a different type of nut for the topping?

Certainly! While pecans provide a delicious nuttiness, you can substitute them with walnuts, almonds, or your favorite nuts. The choice of nut will slightly alter the flavor and texture but will still be delightful.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

If you prefer a less sweet recipe, you can reduce the sugar in both the filling and topping. However, keep in mind that sugar plays a crucial role in the texture and caramelization of the dish, so be cautious not to cut it too much.

A spoonful of sweet potato casserole in a white bowl.

Is it a sweet potato soufflé or casserole?

I’m using the words interchangeably. Therefore, in this recipe, they’re one and the same.

Can I Reheat Sweet Potato Soufflé in the Air Fryer?

Yes.

For leftovers, reheat the soufflé at 325°F to 350°F until heated through. Cover it loosely with foil if the pecan topping is already nicely browned.

Reheating time depends on how much you’re reheating and the type of air fryer you’re using.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Soufflé for Thanksgiving

This recipe earns its place on a holiday menu because it solves a practical problem: oven space.

When you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner, the oven can get crowded quickly. Turkey, dressing, rolls, casseroles, and desserts all compete for the same space.

Cooking the sweet potatoes and souffle in the air fryer frees up the oven for everything else.

And because this recipe uses a baking dish inside the air fryer, you still get that familiar casserole-style presentation.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

If you love sweet potatoes, don’t stop with this soufflé. I have an entire collection of sweet potato recipes with ideas for breakfast, side dishes, baking, and the holidays.

You may also enjoy my Thanksgiving Candied Sweet Potatoes, Twice Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, and Sweet Potato Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

More Air Fryer Recipes

If you’re looking for more ways to use your air fryer, check out my Air Fryer Recipes collection. I also have a helpful guide on How to Convert Oven Recipes to Air Fryer, which is useful when adapting your favorite recipes.

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Soufflé

This sweet potato soufflé is especially good with holiday main dishes.

Serve it alongside:

Roast turkey
Baked ham
Smoked turkey
Prime rib
Roast chicken
Pork tenderloin
Green beans
Corn casserole
Mac and cheese
Southern-style dressing
Dinner rolls

It’s also a natural fit for a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner menu.

Final Thoughts

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle gives you the creamy sweet potato side dish you want for the holidays without using the oven.

The filling is creamy and lightly sweet, while the brown sugar pecan topping adds a buttery crunch. It’s easy enough for a regular dinner but special enough for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If your oven is already working overtime during the holidays, let the air fryer handle this one.

Visual process photos

Sweet potato ingredients on a white surface.

A bowl of oatmeal with granola and a spoon next to it.

Mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl with a mixer and butter.

A bowl of sweet potato mash with eggs and a whisk.

An air fryer with a bowl of mashed potatoes and a whisk.

An air fryer filled with mashed potatoes and granola.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle

Author: Paula

5 from 46 votes

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 1 30

Servings: 6 servings

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Ingredients

4 medium Sweet potatoes
6 tablespoons butter
½ cup brown sugar tightly packed
¼ cup whole milk
2 large eggs beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Topping:

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup brown sugar tightly packed
¼ cup pecans chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter melted

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Instructions

▢
Place the sweet potatoes in the air fryer and set at 400° and air fry for 30 to 35 minutes, until fork tender.
4 medium Sweet potatoes
▢
Peel the potatoes and place in a large bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, and milk and beat with a hand mixer.
6 tablespoons butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup whole milk
▢
Add the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and beat until combined.
2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
▢
Spray a pan that will fit inside your air fryer with cooking spray. Spread the sweet potato mixture evenly in the pan.
▢
Combine the topping ingredients together and spread over the sweet potatoes.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt, ⅓ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup pecans, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 4 tablespoons butter
▢
Place the sweet potato pan in the air fryer pan and set the air fryer at 350°. Fry for an hour. If the topping starts to get too dark, cover with foil and continue frying.
▢
Remove and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can omit the pecans if you prefer.
You can make this ahead of time; just bake without the topping. Fifteen minutes before serving, add the topping and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned and crispy.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

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Bowl and baking dish of sweet potato souffle with pecan topping. Text: “Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle. Creamy sweet potato filling & buttery pecan topping! callmepmc.com”. This delicious Air Fryer Sweet Potato Souffle is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

I updated this post from an earlier version dated October 24, 2023. I made new photos and simplified the recipe instructions.

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