Air fryer baked potatoes are the perfect combination of crispy skin and tender, fluffy insides. This recipe will guide you through making perfectly cooked russet potatoes in your air fryer, resulting in a meal that’s quick, simple, and full of flavor. The air fryer reduces cooking time while giving you a crisp exterior, making it a much faster way to prepare baked potatoes compared to traditional oven baking. Plus, they’re easily customizable with a variety of toppings like butter, cheese, sour cream, or crispy bacon, making them ideal for a weeknight meal or a side dish to accompany dinner.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

For this easy recipe, you’ll need:

4 medium russet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt (adjust to taste)
Ground black pepper (optional)

Optional Toppings:

Butter
Sour cream
Crumbled bacon
Shredded cheese
Chopped chives
Freshly cracked black pepper

How to Make the Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature ensures that the skin of the potato crisps up beautifully while keeping the inside soft and tender.

Step 2: Prep the Potatoes

Rinse each potato thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Scrub them gently with a brush to ensure they’re clean. Afterward, dry them off with a paper towel. Drying the potatoes is essential because it helps the olive oil and salt adhere to the skin, giving it a perfect crisp.

Step 3: Season the Potatoes

Rub a thin layer of olive oil over the skin of each potato. This will help the skin crisp up during cooking. Then, sprinkle the potatoes with sea salt to taste, ensuring each one is evenly coated. If you like a little extra flavor, you can also sprinkle ground black pepper on the potatoes at this stage.

Step 4: Cook the Potatoes

Place the prepared potatoes into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the potatoes for 40-50 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, flip the potatoes using tongs to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes, so check them for doneness by piercing them with a fork. The potatoes should be soft on the inside and have a crispy, golden-brown skin on the outside.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the potatoes are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute before cutting a slit in the center. Fluff the insides with a fork, then add your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, or crumbled bacon.

Tips for Success:

For an even crispier skin, rub a little extra olive oil on the potatoes before air frying.
To make sure your potatoes cook evenly, try to select potatoes of similar size.
Flip the potatoes halfway through to ensure the skin crisps up evenly on both sides.

How to Reheat Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer:

If you have leftover baked potatoes, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, then place the leftover potato in the air fryer basket. Heat for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the potato is heated through.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these baked potatoes in any air fryer?

A: Yes, this recipe works in most air fryer models. Just ensure that the potatoes are placed in a single layer for even cooking. If your air fryer has a smaller basket, you might need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Q: Can I use other types of potatoes?

A: While russet potatoes are the best for baking due to their fluffy interior and crisp skin, you can experiment with other potato varieties like Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary based on the type and size of the potato.

Q: Can I prep these potatoes ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can prep the potatoes (scrub them and rub with oil and salt) ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them.

Q: Why should I flip the potatoes halfway through cooking?

A: Flipping the potatoes helps to ensure even cooking on all sides, especially when it comes to achieving a perfectly crisp skin.

Q: What are some variations of toppings for these baked potatoes?

A: There are endless topping options! You can try adding sautéed mushrooms, shredded cheese, steamed broccoli, or even chili for a heartier meal.

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

This air fryer baked potato recipe is easy to follow and results in crispy skin and soft, fluffy insides. It’s perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

Ingredients:

4 medium russet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste (optional)