Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Crispy skin. Fluffy center. No oven required. Your new go-to side dish (or main meal when loaded up!).
Ingredients:
- 4 medium russet potatoes (about 6–7 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
🧀 Optional Toppings:
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar or parmesan
- Chives or green onions
- Bacon bits
- Greek yogurt (for a lighter option)
- Hot sauce or salsa
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3–5 minutes.
- Prep the potatoes:
- Scrub and wash each potato thoroughly.
- Pat dry completely with a clean towel (moisture will prevent crisping).
- Rub each potato with olive oil to coat the skin.
- Sprinkle sea salt and black pepper all over.
- Air fry:
- Place the potatoes directly in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- They’re done when the skin is crisp and a fork slides easily into the center.
- Serve:
- Remove from the basket, let cool for a few minutes.
- Slice open, fluff with a fork, and load up with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition (per potato, no toppings):
- Calories: 220
- Carbs: 51g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 2g
- Fiber: 4g
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 35–40 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
Air Fryer Baked Potato Q&A
Q: What kind of potatoes work best?
A: Russet potatoes are ideal for air frying because their thick skin crisps up well, and the starchy interior gets perfectly fluffy.
Q: Do I need to pierce the potatoes before cooking?
A: Not in the air fryer. The hot, circulating air cooks them evenly without pressure build-up. However, if you’re worried, a few fork pricks won’t hurt.
Q: Can I cook more than 4 at a time?
A: You can, as long as your air fryer isn’t overcrowded. Potatoes need space around them to crisp up evenly. If needed, cook in batches.
Q: How can I speed up the cooking time?
A: Use smaller potatoes or microwave them for 5 minutes before air frying. Then, air fry for just 15–20 minutes to crisp up.
Q: Can I reheat leftover baked potatoes in the air fryer?
A: Absolutely! Just pop them back in at 375°F for 5–7 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
Q: Are these healthier than oven-baked or fried potatoes?
A: Yes! You use less oil and skip the deep frying, making it a lower-fat, high-fiber option, especially if you skip heavy toppings.