If you’re looking for the quickest method to make this classic side dish, that’s not something this Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe can offer. The cooking time is quite similar to that of making it in the oven.
The fastest way to tenderize a large-sized baking potato is through the microwave oven, taking only 20 minutes at full power, whereas it would require 40-50 minutes in an air fryer or a standard oven.
However, the advantage of using an air fryer for baked potatoes is the crispy outer layer it produces, which perfectly complements the fluffy core.
In this recipe, we’ll season the whole potato, leaving nothing untouched, not even the skin. So, you can enjoy the whole thing.
I’ll also share cooking times and best practices for making this recipe, including how much time it will take if you wrap the potatoes with aluminum foil, as well as the estimated cooking time for medium-sized potatoes.
✦ Bonus: I’ll share more topping options at the end of the recipe instructions.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Loaded Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
You only need a few ingredients to make air-fried baked potatoes.
- Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Toppings
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Cheese sauce
- Spring onion
- Bacon bits
Russet potatoes are widely regarded as the ideal choice for baked potatoes due to their high starch content, low moisture content, thick skin, and larger size.
However, if you only have gold potatoes or red potatoes in your pantry, don’t worry! You can still use them for baking, but keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cooking time based on their size.
Recipe Video
How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer?
Air frying baked potatoes is a simple process, and excluding the waiting time for them to cook, it only takes less than 20 minutes. Follow these seven simple steps for a hassle-free cooking experience.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Thoroughly wash your potatoes.
Wash your potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
Step 3: Pierce the potatoes with a fork.
To prevent your potato from bursting inside the air fryer, poke the potato multiple times with a fork. Although it is a rare occurrence, this simple step will save you from any unnecessary cleanup.
Step 4: Season your potatoes.
For extra flavor, and if you want to eat the skin, season the whole potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
The oil gives the potato peel a rubbery texture when cooked, which is great for presentation and achieving a crispy finish.
Step 5: Air fry baked potatoes for 40-50 minutes or until tender.
Cooking time will vary depending on the size and number of potatoes you are air frying.
If you’re cooking two large potatoes or four medium-sized potatoes, it will take 40 to 50 minutes to cook, flipping halfway through.
For a single large potato or two medium-sized potatoes, the ideal cooking time would be around 15 to 20 minutes on each side.
As always, it’s good practice to test your potatoes for doneness using a fork. If the middle is still raw, it will be difficult to expose and fluff up the flesh.
Step 6: Slice each potato in the middle and fluff up the flesh.
Carefully remove the baked potatoes from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a few minutes before handling. Slice them in the middle, creating a pocket, and use a small spoon or fork to fluff the insides.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t let your baked potatoes rest for too long. The steam will escape and the flesh may become dry.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy your air fried baked potato with your choice of toppings!
That’s how you make a baked potato in the air fryer. It takes some time and patience, but it’s all worth it!
While it’s great on its own, it pairs really well with steak and other grilled proteins. It also wouldn’t hurt to serve some roasted veggies on the side.
Though we opt for the classic toppings (butter, sour cream, cheese, scallions, and bacon bits), there are more ways to enjoy this tasty side dish.
10 Fun Topping Options for Air Fried Baked Potatoes
Classic: Butter, sour cream, and chives.
Loaded: Bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives.
Chili Cheese: Chili con carne or vegetarian chili, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.
Mexican: Salsa, guacamole or sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
Broccoli and Cheese: Steamed broccoli florets and melted cheddar cheese.
Mediterranean: Greek yogurt, diced cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.
BBQ Chicken: Shredded barbecue chicken, barbecue sauce, and diced red onions.
Taco: Seasoned ground beef or turkey, salsa, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream.
Buffalo: Buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing, and chopped celery.
Veggie: Sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and spinach, topped with shredded cheese
Poutine: Mushroom gravy and cheese curds.
Feel free to mix and match these toppings or get creative with your own combinations. The possibilities are endless, so customize your baked potatoes to your taste preferences. Enjoy!
Recommended Air Frying Time & Temperature
Follow this air frying cheat sheet for cooking baked potatoes in the air fryer.
| Type/Size | Cooking Time | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 large or 4 medium sized potatoes | 40-50 minutes | 400°F (204°C) | flip halfway |
| 1 large potato or 2 medium sized potatoes | 30-40 minutes | 400°F (204°C) | flip halfway |
| Frozen baked potato (precooked) | 20-25 minutes | 400°F (204°C) | flip halfway |
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element’s proximity to the food.
As a general rule, test your potato for doneness using a fork. It should go through without any resistance.
Freezing & Storage
You can store any leftover baked potatoes in the fridge for 3-5 days, or alternatively, freeze them for up to a year. It’s important to note that the longer you store them, the more their taste may deteriorate.
As much as possible, refrain from adding toppings until you are ready to consume the baked potatoes in order to extend their shelf life.
Freezing: Allow your air fryer baked potatoes to cool for about 2 hours. Then wrap them nice and tight with an aluminum foil to prevent freezer burns. Finally, store them in a zip-top bag or any freezer-safe, airtight container.
Fridge: To store any leftover baked potatoes, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them. Prior to reheating, remember to check for any signs of spoilage.
Reheating Baked Potatoes
To reheat baked potatoes in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Then, wrap the baked potatoes in aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out further. Next, cook them for 8-12 minutes, adjusting the cooking time based on the size of your potatoes. If you prefer not to wrap them in aluminum foil, they may be done cooking in 6-10 minutes.
Please note that the reheating instructions provided above are specifically for leftover baked potatoes stored in the fridge. If you are cooking frozen baked potatoes, you may need to adjust the cooking time to approximately 20-25 minutes at a temperature between 380°F and 400°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bake a potato in an air fryer. However, it is worth noting that it may not be the quickest method compared to baking them in the oven, as both methods generally require a similar cooking time of around 40-50 minutes for a large-sized russet potato.
The cooking time for baked potatoes in an air fryer can vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the temperature setting. Generally, it takes about 40-50 minutes to bake a large-sized potato and 30-40 minutes for a small to medium-sized one.
To make baked potatoes in an air fryer, start by preheating your kitchen appliance to 400°F (204°C). Next, prep your potatoes and season them. Air fry the potatoes for about 40-50 minutes, or until they are tender. Once cooked, slice them open to create a pocket, fluff the cooked flesh with a spoon, and add your favorite toppings.
At a temperature of 400°F (204°C), it usually takes around 40-50 minutes to air fry baked potatoes. However, the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the potatoes.
Yes, you can make baked potatoes in the air fryer after microwaving. In fact, microwaving the potatoes can significantly speed up the cooking process. It typically takes around 20 minutes to bake a potato in the microwave, while it takes approximately 40 minutes in the air fryer. If you want to crisp up the skin, you can transfer microwaved potatoes into the air fryer and cook them for 5 minutes on each side at high heat.
Yes, you can make baked potatoes in an air fryer with aluminum foil. Wrapping the potatoes in foil before air frying helps retain moisture and results in a softer skin. However, if you prefer a crispier skin, you can skip the foil and place the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket. It’s important to note that using aluminum foil may require a slightly longer cooking time. You may need to cook the potatoes for an additional 10 minutes.
To bake a single potato in an air fryer, simply reduce the cooking time by 10 minutes. For example, if the suggested cooking time is around 40-50 minutes, you only need 30-40 minutes to bake one large russet potato.
It typically takes around 40-50 minutes to cook two baked potatoes in the air fryer. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the specific type of air fryer you are using and the size of your starchy vegetable.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 russet potatoes large size
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- â…› teaspoon salt or to taste
- â…› teaspoon pepper or to taste
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons cheez whiz or any other cheese sauce
- 2 teaspoons green onions
- 2 teaspoons bacon bits
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). If your air fryer has a capacity of 4 quarts or smaller, please see the note for more info.
- Wash the potatoes under running water. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Now, pierce each potato several times with a fork to create small holes for steam to escape when air frying. It seldom happens, but doing this step helps prevent them from bursting.
- Season the potatoes generously with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasonings in until evenly coated.
- Air fry baked potatoes for 40-50 minutes or until tender, flipping halfway. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes. To check for doneness, pierce the potatoes with a fork or a small spoon. They should go through easily without any resistance.
- Remove the baked potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before handling. Carefully slice them in the middle, creating a pocket, and fluff the insides with a fork.
- Serve the baked potatoes hot with your favorite toppings, such as butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, or bacon bits. Those are just the classic options. For more topping ideas, please refer to the list above. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Notes
- For 4-quart air fryers and smaller, reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
- To check if the potatoes are done, simply pierce them with a fork and ensure there is no resistance.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the baked potatoes to prevent the peel from breaking apart.
- Avoid letting your baked potatoes rest for too long. The steam will escape and the flesh may become dry.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Vortex Plus to test air frying baked potatoes. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer, the size of your potato and the number of servings you are making.
- Small potatoes may require a shorter cooking time. The large potatoes we used took 40-50 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Medium-sized ones will take 30-40 minutes. If unsure, perform the fork test to check for doneness.
Nutrition
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