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We have the best ever Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe. This is a must try and such an easy and tasty side dish for busy weeknights.
I love a good baked potato and I also love my air fryer. One night I was making dinner and thought it seemed like a great idea to make baked potatoes in the air fryer.
You know I love Crock Pot Baked Potatoes, Oven Bake Potato and Microwave Baked Potatoes but sometimes you need a quicker solution. The air fryer to the rescue! It really is so handy and you don’t have to heat up your oven.
Speaking of baked potatoes, check out my post 10 Ways to use Leftover Baked Potatoes. Make extras tonight and use them to make other great dinners.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
Making potatoes in the air fryer is a great way for the kids to make their own. It is easy to make and they make an easy side dish for any meal. The texture of the potato and the soft center cooks the potato similar to making it in the oven.
Add your favorite toppings or make a bake potato bar for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes – Scrub and clean potatoes.
- Olive Oil – You can also use avocado oil.
- Sea Salt – Use kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
Scroll to find the full recipe in the recipe card.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Step 1 – Preheat your air fryer to 40 degrees F. If your air fryer does not have a preheat option, then I recommend running the air fryer for approximately 5 minutes to warm up the air fryer prior to cooking the potatoes.
- Step 2 – Stab each potatoes 5-6 times with a fork to allow for the pressure to release while cooking.
- Step 3 – Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Brush the olive oil on the potatoes with a basting brush and sprinkle the sea salt on top.
- Step 4 – Cook the potatoes in the air fryer for 40-50 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through and soft when squeezed gently.
- Step 5 – After the cook time, carefully remove the potatoes (as they will be hot). Serve topped with your favorite toppings and salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Prepare the Air Fryer – Make sure to preheat your air fryer. Don’t skip this step! If your air fryer does not have a preheat option, then I recommend running the air fryer for approximately 5 minutes to warm up the air fryer prior to cooking the potatoes.
- Single Layer – Don’t put too many potatoes in the air fryer. You do not want to overcrowd as this will not allow proper room for the potato skin to crisp.
- Cooking Time – Keep in mind the cook time will vary based on what size potatoes you decide to use. Smaller potatoes will not take as long to cook.
- Prepare Potatoes – Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork or a sharp knife. This allows pressure to release and the potatoes to cook tender.
Topping Ideas
- We love to make loaded bake potatoes with air fryer bacon, cheddar cheese, chives and sour cream. Yum!
- Air fryer broccoli and homemade cheese sauce
- They are delicious topped with this Easy Quick Chili Recipe! I keep small containers in the freezer of this chili just for potatoes.
Also, have you ever had a baked potato bar? This is the perfect way to turn a baked potato into a main meal! Such a great idea and very frugal for a crowd.
We like to chop up Air Fryer Steak, Crockpot Pulled Pork or Grilled Chicken Tenders and top the potatoes with it. Add in cheese, green onions, bacon bits, sour cream and more! Such a fantastic meal idea!
We have used this idea for birthday parties or celebrations for a crowd. It really stretches the meat and makes it so frugal.
Frequently Asked Questions
It will depend on the size of your potato but generally the potato will get soft in about 40 minutes.
No, there is no need to microwave potatoes. Just prepare the potatoes as the recipe indicates and place in the air fryer basket.
Store leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. When ready to enjoy again, reheat in the microwave.
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We love to hear from you. If you make Air Fryer Bake Potatoes, make sure to leave a star review.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. If you air fryer does not have a preheat option, then I recommend running the air fryer for approximately 5 minutes to warm up the air fryer prior to cooking the potatoes.
- Stab each potatoes 5-6 times with a fork to allow for the pressure to release while cooking.
- Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Brush the olive oil on the potatoes with a basting brush and sprinkle the sea salt on top.
- Cook the potatoes in the air fryer for 40-50 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through and soft when squeezed gently.
- After the cook time, carefully remove the potatoes (as they will be hot). Serve topped with your favorite potato toppings and enjoy!
The potatoes cooked like this making the skins perfectly crisp are the Best Ever.
Me too, and I love how it doesn’t heat up my kitchen in the Summer.
So good and easy. Love how the skin crisps perfectly and doesn’t get “soggy” like microwave “baked” potatoes but is less time than in the oven. Win win!
So easy and frees up your oven