Making the perfect crispy skin, baked potato can be a bit of a challenge. However, I have found the secret to perfect baked potatoes every time! This air fryer baked potatoes recipe makes a light and fluffy inside and a crisp salty outside every time. They make a great side dish or bake a large one and make it a meal with toppings like copycat Texas Roadhouse chili or roast beef and gravy.
Why cook a baked potato in an air fryer
Using this air fryer recipe you will get one of the best-baked potatoes with a delicious crispy skin that has a slight crunch that you have ever had. It’s an easy recipe that makes a perfect side dish for the main course or a meal. If you need a party idea then try serving these on a baked potato bar. I have easy prep-ahead party Topping Ideas For Your Next Baked Potato Bar.
💭 Top tips
- Do not crowd your potatoes in the air fryer basket. Allow enough space for the potatoes to not touch. The skin does not get as crispy if the potatoes touch.
- Be sure to use the best potato for baking such as a Russet or Yukon Gold.
- Do not overcook, it should be fork tender.
- If you have only two large potatoes in your air fryer then flip them halfway through your cooking time.
- Remember cooking times will vary on the size of your potato and the brand of your air fryer. The potatoes should have an internal temperature of 210 degrees when done.
Can you make them ahead?
It is best to serve them hot right out of the air fryer. They lose their crispy skins after they are cold.
🥘 Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- olive oil
- coarse sea salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
🔪 Instructions
- Be sure and wash your baked potato under running water and a scrub brush to remove all the dirt. Pat dry with a paper towel
- Prick the skin of the potato with a fork.
- Using a pastry brush, coat the potatoes with olive oil. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder on the skins.
- Place potatoes in the air fryer basket.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes of cooking time. Using a fork insert to see if they are soft all the way through. If not bake for another 5 minutes or until fork-tender. *Note it might take less time if the size of the potatoes is small enough to put 5 or 6 in your air fryer.
- Use tongs to remove the baked potatoes from the air fryer basket.
- Slice horizontally about 2/3 the way through the potato. Pinch ends and push ends to center to open the potato. Fluff with a fork. Add your favorite toppings.
🥗 How to serve baked potatoes
There are endless ideas for different toppings on baked potatoes. Let your imagination go and create a main dish dinner using baked potatoes.
- Quick & Delicious Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken Recipe
- Masters Pimento Cheese
- Vegan Nacho Cheese
- Spicy Cashew Cream Sauce
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes: Crispy Skin and Soft Inside
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Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes, medium size
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, more if you like your potato skins slaty
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Prepare the Potatoes
- Wash potatoes under running water using a scrub brush to remove dirt.4 russet potatoes
- Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Prick each potato several times with a fork.
Season the Potatoes
- Use a pastry brush to coat the potatoes with olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Air Fry the Potatoes
- Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one.
- Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes.
- Check for doneness by inserting a fork; if not soft, cook for an additional 5 minutes or until fork-tender.
Finish and Serve
- Use tongs to remove potatoes from the air fryer.
- Slice each potato horizontally about two-thirds of the way through.
- Pinch and push the ends toward the center to open.
- Fluff the insides with a fork and add your favorite toppings.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Do not crowd your potatoes in the air fryer basket. Allow enough space for the potatoes to not touch. The skin does not get as crispy if the potatoes touch.
- Be sure to use the best potato for baking such as a Russet or Yukon Gold.
- Do not overcook, it should be fork-tender.
- If you have only two large potatoes in your air fryer then flip them halfway through your cooking time.
- Remember cooking times will vary on the size of your potato and the brand of your air fryer. The potatoes should have an internal temperature of 210 degrees when done.
We love baked potatoes but don’t frequently do them at home because of the time it takes. I have an air fryer that I have used only once, so these will be my second. I’ll let you know how it goes.