Air Fryer Baked Potato

Name: Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 Potatoes (scrubbed and cleaned); 1 tsp Olive Oil; 1/2 tsp Sea Salt

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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.

An air fryer baked potato split open, topped with a slice of melting butter, freshly ground black pepper, and chopped chives. It is served on a white plate with a fork resting beside it.

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. You can even make as a Thanksgiving side dish.

What's in this post: Air Fryer Baked Potato

Why This Recipe Works
Ingredients
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Storage & Reheating Instructions
What to Serve with Air Fryer Baked Potato
Baked Potato Toppings
Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe Recipe

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

A white cutting board holds three whole russet potatoes placed in a row. On the left side of the cutting board are two small white bowls, one containing salt and the other olive oil—perfect ingredients for preparing air fryer baked potatoes—on a rustic white wooden surface.

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.

Three unpeeled potatoes are placed on a white cutting board with a fork beside them, ready for their turn as air fryer baked potatoes. Next to the cutting board is a small cup of oil, a small bowl of salt, and a brown checkered cloth. The scene is set on a rustic white wooden surface.

Step 2 – Stab each potatoes 5-6 times with a fork to allow for the pressure to release while cooking.

An overhead view of three air fryer baked potatoes with salt inside an air fryer basket placed on a rustic white wooden surface. A brown checkered cloth is seen in the bottom left, with a red-handled basting brush and two small bowls in the top left corner.

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.

An air fryer basket containing three perfectly baked potatoes seasoned with coarse salt and herbs. The basket is placed on a rustic wooden surface next to a pair of black tongs and a brown and white checkered kitchen towel, showcasing the ultimate air fryer baked potato experience.

Step 4 – Cook the potatoes in the air fryer for 35 to 40 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through and soft when squeezed gently.

Three air fryer baked potatoes topped with butter and chopped herbs are in an air fryer. Nearby are forks, a knife, a brown kitchen towel, white plates with another potato, a stick of butter on a dish, a pepper grinder, and a bowl of chopped herbs.

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!

Expert 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.

Three air fryer baked potatoes are shown, each sliced open with a pat of butter melting inside. Chopped chives are sprinkled as a garnish. A beige plate is partially visible in the background, while a brown towel rests near the air fryer basket.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a potato to get soft in the air fryer?

It will depend on the size of your potato but generally the potato will get soft in about 40 minutes.

Do I Need to Microwave Potatoes before Air Frying?

No, there is no need to microwave potatoes. Just prepare the potatoes as the recipe indicates and place in the air fryer basket.

How to Store Leftover Bake Potatoes

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.

How do I know when my baked potato is done?

The bake potato is finished cooking when you can easily insert knife into the bake potato.

Do you have to pierce a potato before air frying?

Yes, we do recommend piercing the potato with a fork before cooking in the air fryer. This helps to release the steam from the potato.

Should I wrap my potatoes in foil before air frying?

No, there is no need to wrap the potato in foil. When cooking baked potatoes without foil helps to create a crispy texture. Spray the potato with oil and sprinkled kosher salt for added flavor.

Which type of potato should I use?

In this recipe, we think russet potatoes work best. You can also use Yukon Gold Potatoes. If using different potatoes, the cooking time may vary.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

To Store – Place leftover baked potato in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer – Freeze leftover baked potato in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to serve.
Reheat – Reheat the leftover in the microwave or place in a baking dish to reheat in the oven at 350 degrees. Reheat in the oven for about 10 minutes.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Baked Potato

Bake potatoes make the perfect side dish recipe. We love to serve with Grilled Teriyaki Steak, Grilled Chicken Tenders and Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Add a said of Air Fryer Asparagus for a complete meal idea.

A baked potato split open on a white plate, topped with a pat of butter and sprinkled with chopped green herbs. A fork rests on the plate, and a dish of butter is visible in the background near a black container. The air fryer baked potato offers a crispy skin and fluffy interior you’ll love.

Baked Potato Toppings

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.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Quick and Easy Breakfast

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

Quick and Easy Air Fryer

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

Quick and Easy Air Fryer

Air Fryer Beef Jerky

Quick and Easy Air Fryer

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes Air Fryer

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