There’s nothing quite like a perfectly baked potato—crispy, golden skin with a fluffy, steamy interior just waiting to be topped with butter, cheese, sour cream, or your favorite toppings. But did you know you can achieve restaurant-quality baked potatoes in an air fryer?
Using an air fryer not only speeds up the cooking process compared to an oven but also ensures that delightful crunch on the outside while keeping the inside light and fluffy. Plus, air frying is energy-efficient, making it a great choice for a quick and easy meal.
Ingredients
- 3 large russet potatoes (about 300 grams each)
- 1½ tablespoons oil (vegetable, olive, or avocado oil works best)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: If required by your air fryer model, preheat it to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and thoroughly dry each potato.
- Season the Potatoes: Rub them with oil, ensuring they are well-coated. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously.
- Poke for Steam Release: Using a fork, pierce each potato once in the center to allow steam to escape while cooking.
- Air Fry the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 40 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: Insert a knife or fork into the center of a potato. If it slides in easily, your potatoes are ready! If not, cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Serve Hot: Remove from the air fryer, slice open, and top with butter, cheese, sour cream, or any of your favorite toppings!
Why Make Baked Potatoes in an Air Fryer Instead of an Oven?
Wondering why you should use an air fryer instead of your traditional oven? Here are some great reasons:
Crispier Skin – The circulating hot air crisps up the potato skin beautifully. Faster Cooking Time – No need to wait for the oven to preheat; air fryers cook faster. Energy Efficient – Air fryers use less electricity than a full-size oven. Less Heat in the Kitchen – Ideal for summer months when you don’t want to heat up your kitchen.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Choose the Right Potatoes: Russet potatoes are the best choice because their high starch content creates the fluffiest texture inside.
Don’t Skip the Oil: Brushing with oil helps the skin crisp up beautifully.
Space Them Out: Avoid overcrowding in the air fryer basket so that air can circulate around each potato evenly.
Flip Halfway (Optional): If you want even crispier skin, flip the potatoes at the 20-minute mark.
Adjust Cooking Time Based on Size: Smaller potatoes (under 250 grams) may need only 30-35 minutes, while larger ones (350+ grams) might take 45-50 minutes.
Best Toppings for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Once your baked potatoes are ready, the fun part begins—choosing your toppings! Here are some delicious ideas:
Classic Butter & Sour Cream – The timeless favorite. Loaded Cheddar & Bacon – Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions. Mexican Style – Top with salsa, black beans, avocado, and a drizzle of sour cream. Healthy Option – Add steamed broccoli and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. BBQ Chicken Potato – Shredded BBQ chicken with a dollop of ranch dressing.
FAQs About Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
1. Do I Need to Wrap Potatoes in Foil?
No! Wrapping potatoes in foil traps moisture, which results in softer skin. If you love crispy skin, skip the foil and let the hot air circulate around the potatoes.
2. Can I Use Other Types of Potatoes?
Yes, but results will vary. Yukon Gold and red potatoes have less starch and will yield a creamier texture rather than fluffy.
3. How Do I Store Leftover Baked Potatoes?
Store baked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to crisp them up again.
4. Can I Cook Frozen Potatoes in an Air Fryer?
Yes! Increase the cooking time to 50-60 minutes at 400°F (200°C), checking for doneness with a fork.
Fun Variations to Try
If you want to switch things up, here are some creative ways to enjoy air fryer baked potatoes:
Twice-Baked Potatoes – Scoop out the potato insides, mix with cheese and sour cream, then stuff them back in and air fry for another 5-10 minutes.
Garlic Herb Butter Potatoes – Mix butter with minced garlic, parsley, and chives, then drizzle over the potatoes.
Sweet Potato Version – Follow the same method using sweet potatoes for a nutritious alternative.
Print
Air Fryer Baked Potato
There’s nothing quite like a perfectly baked potato—crispy, golden skin with a fluffy, steamy interior just waiting to be topped with butter, cheese, sour cream, or your favorite toppings. But did you know you can achieve restaurant-quality baked potatoes in an air fryer?
Using an air fryer not only speeds up the cooking process compared to an oven but also ensures that delightful crunch on the outside while keeping the inside light and fluffy. Plus, air frying is energy-efficient, making it a great choice for a quick and easy meal.
- Total Time: 45-55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 3
Ingredients
- 3 large russet potatoes (about 300 grams each)
- 1½ tablespoons oil (vegetable, olive, or avocado oil works best)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: If required by your air fryer model, preheat it to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and thoroughly dry each potato.
- Season the Potatoes: Rub them with oil, ensuring they are well-coated. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously.
- Poke for Steam Release: Using a fork, pierce each potato once in the center to allow steam to escape while cooking.
- Air Fry the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 40 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: Insert a knife or fork into the center of a potato. If it slides in easily, your potatoes are ready! If not, cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Serve Hot: Remove from the air fryer, slice open, and top with butter, cheese, sour cream, or any of your favorite toppings!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
