Air-fryer lentil-stuffed sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are filled with herbed lentils and roasted carrots.

This recipe makes 4 servings and takes about 15 minutes to prepare plus 38 minutes to cook. Metric and imperial quantities are alternate measurements, so use one system rather than adding both. If you change the yield, keep the pan size and thickness of the food in mind: a crowded pan steams food and a deep baking dish can extend the cooking time.

Equipment

Set out air fryer, mixing bowl, small saucepan. A wide pan gives moisture somewhere to evaporate; for an oven dish, leave space between pieces so heat can circulate. Use separate board and knife surfaces for raw protein and foods that will be eaten without further cooking.

Ingredients

You will need: sweet potatoes: 4 medium (1 kg) (4 medium (2 lb 3 oz)); olive oil: 30 ml (2 tbsp); carrots, diced: 250 g (9 oz); ground cumin: 4 g (2 tsp); cooked green lentils: 400 g (14 oz); lemon juice: 30 ml (2 tbsp); feta, crumbled: 100 g (3½ oz); dill, chopped: 10 g (⅓ oz). Gather the ingredients before heating the pan so the aromatics do not burn while a measurement is being found.

• sweet potatoes — 4 medium (1 kg) / 4 medium (2 lb 3 oz)
• olive oil — 30 ml / 2 tbsp
• carrots, diced — 250 g / 9 oz
• ground cumin — 4 g / 2 tsp
• cooked green lentils — 400 g / 14 oz
• lemon juice — 30 ml / 2 tbsp
• feta, crumbled — 100 g / 3½ oz
• dill, chopped — 10 g / ⅓ oz

Method

Read the full method once, then prepare the ingredients in the order listed. Keep raw and ready-to-eat ingredients separate, and wash hands and equipment after raw-protein contact.

Step 1

Pierce sweet potatoes, rub with half the olive oil, and air-fry at 190°C/375°F for 30 to 35 minutes until a skewer meets no resistance.

Step 2

Toss carrots with remaining olive oil and cumin; add them to the basket for the final 15 minutes, shaking once.

Step 3

Warm green lentils in a small saucepan with lemon juice until steaming, then stir through half the feta and dill.

Step 4

Split sweet potatoes, fluff their centres with a fork, fill with carrots and lentils, and scatter over remaining feta and dill.

Cooking and safety check

The lentil filling must be steaming hot; use tongs when opening hot sweet potatoes. A time estimate and a browned surface do not prove that the centre is cooked. Use a suitable food thermometer where the ingredient or local guidance requires one, and follow the package or official instructions for the specific food.

Substitutions that respect the dish

A substitution should preserve the recipe’s job, not merely its colour. Use goat's cheese for feta; both contain milk. Use parsley for dill. Bake potatoes in a conventional oven at 200°C/400°F if needed.

• Use goat's cheese for feta; both contain milk.
• Use parsley for dill.
• Bake potatoes in a conventional oven at 200°C/400°F if needed.

Allergen notes

This recipe contains or may contain milk. Check every packaged ingredient because formulations and cross-contact warnings vary.

Common mistakes and how to correct them

Use one troubleshooting change at a time. If the centre is undercooked, return it to the appropriate heat and check again rather than relying on the outside colour. If the pan is dry, add liquid gradually; if it is watery, reduce uncovered. Texture may also reflect crowded equipment, a different ingredient size, or a changed batch quantity.

• Choose similarly sized potatoes so they finish together.
• Do not crowd carrots or they will soften instead of roast.
• If a potato is firm, cook it in five-minute increments.

Leftovers and storage

Refrigerate components separately for up to three days. Reheat potatoes and lentils until steaming, then add feta and dill.

Serving ideas

These sides and finishes suit air-fryer lentil-stuffed sweet potatoes without changing the recipe itself.

• Cucumber salad
• Harissa yoghurt
• Warm flatbread

Frequently asked questions

Can I use vacuum-packed lentils?

Yes, warm them as directed before filling.

Do I need to wrap potatoes?

No; unwrapped skins become pleasantly crisp.

Related recipes and tools

Browse the related recipes for a different appliance, pace, or ingredient pairing. Use the serving scaler only after checking the stated yield, and use the storage guide before deciding whether to save a portion. Related links help with the next decision; they do not make this recipe suitable for every diet or kitchen.