This Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe makes the best potatoes! With flavorful and crispy exteriors and perfectly fluffy middles, this versatile side dish won’t disappoint.
Everybody loves a good baked potato, amiright? But how do you actually make a good baked potato? They can often be so boring and bland. Today’s air fryer baked potato recipe is anything but! The air fryer makes the outside crispy while keeping the inside fluffy and the simple seasoning blend makes the potato skin super flavorful!
Goodbye boring potatoes! Helloooo flavor town.
Ingredients
This 5 ingredient recipe creates a potato that’s crispy, yet fluffy and perfectly seasoned.
Russet Potatoes – look for potatoes that are about 6 oz in weight for the perfect side dish size. The number you’re able to air fry at a time depends on the size of the air fryer. Space is needed between each of the potatoes to allow the air to circulate; this helps create a crispy exterior. Russet potatoes are the best for “baked” potatoes, because of their thick skin and fluffy interior. If you’re using potatoes that are larger or smaller than what’s listed in the recipe, cook time will vary.
Olive Oil – promotes a crisp, but not too crisp exterior while also giving the spices something to stick to. Olive oil has a higher smoke point, so it’s great to use in this particular air fryer recipe. It also has a stronger flavor than some oils, so be sure to use an olive oil that you enjoy the taste of.
Seasoning: Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder – this simple seasoning blend keeps the potato flavor very versatile, so it can be served with a number of toppings next to any main dish you’d like. Feeling adventurous? Add more seasonings! Try some Italian seasonings to serve next to meatballs or sprinkle with taco seasoning and stuff the air fried potato with taco meat.
How to make
Use the air fryer to quick, easy, and perfectly cooked “baked” potatoes!
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Rub potatoes generously with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Air fry for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked to your liking.
- Serve with toppings of choice and enjoy!
How do you know when a baked potato is done?
A potato is cooked properly if the center is easily pierced with a knife. The inside should be tender and fluffy and the outside should be slightly crispy. Be sure to test the potato before removing it from the air fryer.
Today’s recipe calls for 6 oz potatoes and it takes about 45 minutes in a preheated 400 degree F air fryer. Cook time will vary if using potatoes that are larger or smaller than that.
What potatoes to use
Russet potatoes or sweet potatoes are the best potatoes to use for any baked or air fried potato. They have thick skins and starchy interiors which means that the outside is sturdy enough to hold its shape while the center becomes fork tender.
Do you wrap air fryer baked potato in foil?
It depends. Before adding tin foil to the air fryer, be sure to check the manual for specific directions for your make and model. If it’s ok to use foil in your air fryer, you can wrap the potatoes in it before air frying.
Wrapping potatoes in foil before baking or air frying holds the moisture in and steams the potatoes while keeping the skin soft. If you don’t, you get a nice, slightly crispy peel.
Tips
- Prep the potatoes. Be sure to thoroughly wash and dry the potatoes to remove any dirt before air frying. Drying the potatoes also helps create a crispy skin.
- Use a high smoke point oil to avoid burning. Oils like olive oil have a higher smoke point and provide a nice, rich flavor. A more neutral flavored oil like avocado or canola oil may be used instead.
- Season. Season. Season. The skin gets deliciously crispy in this recipe, so be sure it has flavor! Use salt, pepper, and garlic powder or play around with your favorite combination of seasonings.
- Don’t overcrowd. Overcrowding the air fryer will cause your food to cook unevenly. You likely won’t get a crispy skin, because there’s not enough room to allow the air to circulate around the potatoes correctly.
Baked potato toppings
The world is your oyster when it comes to baked potato toppings, so have fun!
- Classic: salt, pepper, and butter.
- Loaded: cheese – shredded or melted queso, bacon, sour cream, green onions or chives
- Chili: homemade chili, sour cream, shredded cheese, and crushed fritos
- Tex-Mex: taco meat, guacamole, queso, pico de gallo, sour cream, and shredded lettuce
- Other: buffalo chicken, bbq chicken, broccoli cheddar, and more!
What to serve with air fryer baked potatoes
These baked potatoes are incredibly versatile, so serve them up next to any main dish with additional sides.
How to store
Baked potatoes are best served immediately, but leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for 1 month.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then bake or air fry to warm and re-crisp.
– Jennifer
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
- 3 (6 oz) russet potatoes washed and dried thoroughly
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Place potatoes into a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, then use your hands to coat the potatoes evenly.
- Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook in preheated air fryer for 45 minutes or until the outsides are crispy and the middles are fork tender, flipping halfway though.
- Remove and serve as desired!
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
George
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy