If you haven’t tried it yet, making an Air Fryer Baked Potato is the quickest way to enjoy this tasty spud! Simply coat potatoes in a bit of oil, sprinkle with salt and get to air frying! This recipe takes half the time of baking in the oven, which makes this recipe an easy side for any night of the week!
If you’re looking for the ultimate baked potato hack, then you have found it.
Gone are the days when you have to plan ahead and start baking the potatoes HOURS before dinner.
Instead, pop them in the air fryer! It is so quick and takes half the time of baking them in the oven.
Baked potatoes are a classic side. Growing up, the baked potato bar was such a special treat at restaurants. It was so fun to load up all the best toppings.
Now, you can make your own baked potato bar at home!
This recipe is the perfect side dish for grilled chicken or a big, juicy steak.
This method also works beautifully for Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes, too!
Ingredients
The simple ingredients you need to make this easy Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe include:
- Potatoes. You will want potatoes with a high starch content, like Russet. They are thick-skinned but become fluffy inside when cooked. Second best would be round white or yellow potatoes. Steer clear of waxy varieties like new potatoes or fingerling.
- Oil. Opt for an oil, like avocado, with a high smoke point. Olive oil will work in a pinch.
- Salt. Kosher salt is best for its thick grains and flavor.
How to Air Fry Baked Potatoes
These are the steps to follow to make this Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe:
Clean and Prepare
The first thing you need to do is thoroughly clean the potatoes.
If you have one, use a vegetable brush to scrub the outsides. Then, use a towel to dry each one.
Use a fork to pierce each potato, 8 to 10 pokes should be good, depending on the size. This is important to allow steam to escape while cooking.
Oil and Season
After drying the potatoes, drizzle a teaspoon of avocado oil over each one. Rub it in with your fingers to completely coat it.
Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of salt on each potato, too.
Cook in Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 370℉.
Once the potatoes are poked and covered in oil and salt, place them in the air fryer basket. Be sure they are not touching so each potato cooks evenly.
Cook for 35 to 50 minutes, depending on how big they are. Flip the potatoes during air frying so the potatoes get crispy skin all around.
When about 40 minutes have passed, check the potatoes to see if they are done. They are cooked when a fork or knife can easily be inserted in the center and there is no resistance.
If the smaller ones are done you can pull these out while the larger ones continue to cook.
Load Up and Serve!
Enjoy these any way you serve up baked potatoes. To keep it traditional, top with butter, green onions, cheese, and bacon (or air fryer bacon!) Don’t forget the sea salt and pepper!
Or, reach for your favorite toppings.
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: To save time, you can clean the potatoes and prepare them the day before. If you pierce them, leave them in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
- To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.
- To Freeze: Wrap the baked potatoes in foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 9 to 12 months.
- To Reheat: You can pop these potatoes back in the air fryer or warm them up in the oven. If you use the microwave, you won’t get crispy potato skins.
FAQs
If you wrap potatoes in foil, the skin will get soggy. This step is not necessary when you air fry them.
Yes! Piercing the potatoes allow steam and heat to escape while cooking.
Typically, you would soak cut potatoes before cooking, but this step isn’t required when you air fry whole potatoes.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Keep it even. Choose similarly sized potatoes so they cook consistently.
- Rinse ’em off. Be sure to scrub the outside of the potatoes before air frying so there is no dirt or debris.
- Nice and starchy. Opt for a high-starch potato like Russet. Waxy potatoes won’t have the light and fluffy texture after cooking.
- Poke the potatoes. Piercing the potatoes with a fork allows steam to escape while air frying. It is also the best way to check for doneness.
- Flip them over. Turn the potatoes once while air frying.
Make it a Meal
Air Fryer Potatoes are the best side dish to pair with any of these meals:
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon
- Chicken Marsala
- Top one with Garlic Herb Butter for a real treat.
More Air Fryer Potato Recipes
For a quick and easy side, give these other air fryer recipes a try:
Tap stars to rate!
Email this recipe!
Ingredients
- 1-4 medium-sized russet potatoes
- 1-4 tsp. oil avocado or olive
- ¼-1 tsp. salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 370 degrees. Let heat up for at least 3 minutes.
- While that’s warming up, rinse and scrub the potatoes to remove any visible dirt and debris and then dry them thoroughly.
- Poke each potato with a fork 8-10 times so it is able to release steam while cooking.
- Drizzle 1 teaspoon of oil over each potato and rub it in to completely coat it. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of salt over each one.
- Place the prepared potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 35-50 minutes, depending on the size, and flip them over halfway through cooking.
- Serve immediately with a pat of butter, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, sour cream, and green onions. Enjoy!
Tap stars to rate!
Video
Notes
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: To save time, you can clean the potatoes and prepare them the day before. If you pierce them, leave them in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
- To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
- To Freeze: Wrap the baked potatoes in foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 9 to 12 months.
- To Reheat: You can pop these potatoes back in the air fryer or warm them up in the oven. If you use the microwave, you won’t get crispy potato skins.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
