These air fryer baked potatoes are whole Russet potatoes that are coated in olive oil and salt, then air fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. A quick and easy way to make perfect baked potatoes each and every time!
When I need side dishes to round out my meal, but I don’t have time to wait for the oven to preheat, I turn to my air fryer. Dishes such as air fryer asparagus and air fryer french fries are always a hit, and air fryer baked potatoes are also a must-make.
Sometimes I just need an easy, hands off dinner, and part of that is not having to wait 20 minutes for my oven to preheat. It’s times like these where I turn to my trusty air fryer. In my opinion, these air fryer baked potatoes are even better than oven baked potatoes, and they are simple to put together with minimal effort.
These potatoes are perfect with some of my favorite dinner recipes like Steak Diane, pan seared salmon and London broil. This recipe is also great for making a holiday side dish without using an oven.
Table of Contents
Ingredients For Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
All you need to make this air fryer baked potatoes recipe is raw whole Russet potatoes, olive oil and kosher salt. It couldn’t be easier!
How Do You Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes?
To make air fryer baked potatoes, start by scrubbing the potatoes until they’re clean, then prick them a few times with a fork. Brush olive oil onto the potatoes, then add a generous sprinkle of salt. Preheat the air fryer, then cook the potatoes until the outsides are crispy and the insides are tender, about 40 minutes. Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes, until you are able to handle them. Next, cut the potatoes down the center with a sharp knife. Pull the sides apart and fluff the inside of the potato with a fork. Add any toppings of your choice, then serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
- I typically choose Russet potatoes for this recipe. It is fine to use other types of potatoes such as red or Yukon gold varieties. That being said, this recipe is written for Russet potatoes, which tend to be larger than other varieties. If you go with a smaller potato, such as a red potato, you’ll want to reduce the cooking time accordingly.
- If you’re using larger or small potatoes than the size called for in this recipe, you will need to adjust the air frying time up or down accordingly.
- If you cannot fit 4 potatoes in the air fryer basket without them touching, cook them in batches.
- I find that air fryer baked potatoes are best when served immediately. The crispy skin will eventually soften as they cool.
- Leftover potatoes will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat your leftover potatoes in the air fryer to crisp the skin back up.
- You want to be sure to not overcrowd your air fryer. If the potatoes are touching, the air will not circulate well and the skins may not get crispy.
Quick Tip
Choose potatoes that are similar in size so that they air fry at the same rate.
Recipe FAQs
It takes approximately 40 minutes to air fry a standard, 6-8 ounce potato. If your potato is larger, anywhere from 9-12 ounces, you’ll want to add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
You can absolutely make baked potatoes in the air fryer. In my opinion it’s easier and less time consuming than using an oven.
The most common reason why your potatoes may not get crispy is if the air fryer is too crowded. If the basket is too full and the potatoes are touching, there may not be sufficient air circulation to get that crispy texture. You can remedy this issue by erring on the smaller side when choosing your potatoes.
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Air Fryer Baked Potato Toppings
The great thing about air fryer baked potatoes is that they are a neutral canvas for a huge variety of your favorite toppings.
- Protein: Turn your baked potatoes into a hearty meal. Top them with a serving of bacon, diced ham, shredded pulled pork or chicken, cooked ground beef or even Italian sausage.
- Vegetables: Serve up some veggie packed potatoes by adding sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, cabbage or zucchini. Fresh diced tomatoes are also a great choice.
- Dairy: I often top my potato with sour cream, butter, shredded cheese, or a combination of the three! Choose a cheese that melts well such as cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, fontina cheese, Swiss cheese or mozzarella cheese.
- Seasonings: Potatoes are great with added sauces or spices! Some good options include garlic powder, pepper, ranch dressing, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, nacho cheese sauce or even taco seasoning.
- Herbs: Offer some sort of fresh herbs to finish off your creation such as chives, basil, parsley, dill or sliced green onions.
- Chili: You can top baked potatoes with chili like my Instant Pot chili, vegetarian chili or beef chili.
These air fryer baked potatoes pair perfectly with chicken, beef or pork, and are always a crowd pleaser!
More Air Fryer Recipes To Try
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
25 mins
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
32 mins
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
34 mins
Air Fryer Pork Chops
22 mins
Air Fryer Salmon
15 mins
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Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 Russet potatoes approximately 6-8 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- toppings such as butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Scrub the potatoes under cold running water. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork or paring knife.
- Brush the olive oil all over the potatoes, then season the potatoes generously with salt.
- Place the potatoes in the basket of the air fryer. Cook for 40-45 minutes or until potatoes are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
- Let potatoes cool for 5 minutes. Cut a slit down the center of each baked potato and pull the sides back. Fluff up the insides of the potatoes with a fork.
- Add toppings as desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- If you’re using larger or small potatoes than the size called for in this recipe, you will need to adjust the air frying time up or down accordingly.
- Choose potatoes that are similar in size so that they cook at the same rate.
- If you cannot fit 4 potatoes in the air fryer basket without them touching, you may need to cook them in batches.
Another great recipe for my air fryer! Made these for dinner last night and they turned out perfectly tender and moist!
So easy and delicious! Love it!
I love how easy the air fryer makes processes and cooking certain foods! These turn out great every time.
I will never bake them agaIn! Perfect!
After making “baked” potatoes using this recipe, I’ll never make them another way again!
Baked potatoes are always popular at my house, but the time they take in the oven is always a deterrent to making them. Hello air fryer baked potatoes! The time-saving and crispy skin cannot be beat.
I love how easy this recipe is. Perfect potatoes and no hot kitchen.
Yay! I don’t need to make baked potatoes in my oven now, which is perfect for summer since the oven makes the home a little too hot for my liking.
I am a huge fan of air frying and know these air fryer potatoes are simply the best. They make a fantastic dinner option.
These potatoes turned out perfectly in the air fryer! It was simple and easy to make and my family loved it!