I don’t know if there’s anything as comforting as an air fryer baked potato with a perfectly crispy skin and soft, fluffy insides! My recipe is so easy and faster than baking potatoes in the oven.
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My Crispy Baked Potato in the Air Fryer
The first time I made air fryer baked potatoes, I wondered if they’d be as good as oven-baked potatoes. I was sure the skin would get crispy, but I wondered if they’d still turn out soft, fluffy, and tender on the inside.
I rubbed them with olive oil, added salt and pepper, poked a few holes, and threw them in the air fryer. When I opened the air fryer basket and saw how crispy the skin looked, I had high hopes.
My husband Ben was the first one to slice his open. He took that first bite and said, “These are crispier than normal. Did you do something different?” I told them they were air fryer baked potatoes, and he told me I should make them in the air fryer from now on.
He spent the rest of dinner telling me he couldn’t believe how fluffy they were on the inside too! The air fryer worked even better than expected, with way crispier skin than I ever got in the oven, and they cooked so much faster!
And, if you love a good air fryer potato recipe, try my recipes for air fryer baked sweet potato, air fryer diced potatoes, air fryer sweet potato cubes, air fryer sweet potato wedges, air fryer baby potatoes, and air fryer red potatoes!
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Ingredients
- Russet potatoes – I love using Russets, but have also used Yukon Gold potatoes with success
- Olive oil – Vegetable oil and even canola will work as well
- Salt and pepper – I use sea salt, but a little more regular salt will work too
How to Bake a Potato in an Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Rinse and scrub the potatoes and use a paper towel to completely dry them off.
STEP THREE: Rub the potatoes with olive then sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
STEP FOUR: Place the potatoes in the preheated air fryer and cook for 40-50 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through. Let them sit for 5 minutes before slicing in half with a knife to eat.
Tips for the Best Air Fry baked Potatoes
- Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel after washing to get rid of any excess moisture. This helps the oil stick so the skin crisps up in the air fryer.
- Space out the potatoes in the air fryer basket. I always make sure there’s enough room for the hot air to circulate properly.
- Rotate the potatoes halfway through cooking. I find this helps them crisp up on all sides.
- Test the potatoes by piercing them with a fork. When the fork glides smoothly, I know the potatoes are ready.
- Smaller potatoes cook faster, so I adjust the cooking time based on their size. I also try to get evenly-sized potatoes, so they cook at the same speed.
- Store any leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Best Toppings for an Air Fryer Baked Potato
When I’m in the mood for a classic air fryer baked potato, my favorite toppings are a little bit of butter and salt. I also love a good dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a little bit of creaminess. My kids love adding cheese, especially cheddar cheese, but pepper jack or mozzarella are also delicious. Bacon bits, chives, salsa, and chopped green onions are some of my favorites.
If I want to turn my air fryer baked potatoes into a full meal, I’ll fill them with broccoli and cheese, pulled pork, chili, shredded chicken, or beef! I also love eating them Mexican-style with pico de gallo, avocado, black beans, jalapeños, and taco meat.
What to serve with a Baked Potato in the Air Fryer
I love serving my air fryer baked potatoes with a nice easy protein like air fryer chicken legs or air fryer pork loin.
I find they also serve well with a nice hearty main dish like air fryer meatloaf or air fryer whole chicken!
Air Fryer Baked Potato FAQs
How long to cook baked potatoes in the air fryer
Once my air fryer is preheated to 400 degrees F, I find that 40-50 minutes is the perfect amount of time for air fried baked potatoes. The timing depends on the size of the potatoes, so I always test them with a fork to make sure they’re done.
This timing works for a single baked potato, two baked potatoes, or even more as long as there is space between the potatoes to cook evenly.
Do I need to poke holes in a potato before air frying?
It’s not entirely necessary, but I usually poke holes in my potatoes before air frying them. The holes allow the steam to escape, which prevents the skin from bursting from a pressure build up. A burst potato won’t have as crispy of skin, so I think the extra step is worth it!
Should I wrap my baked potato in foil before air frying?
I don’t like wrapping my potatoes in tin foil because it will trap the steam, which leads to soggy skin. It would be more similar to steaming the potato like when using a microwave. I’m all about the crispy skin, so I skip this step!
Why is my air fryer baked potato still hard?
If the baked potatoes are still hard, it means they need to cook for longer. I make sure to dry my potatoes really well after rinsing to get rid of any extra moisture, turn them halfway through the cooking process, and check them with a fork to see when they’re done.
Can I put tin foil in the air fryer?
Yes, it’s safe to put aluminum foil in an air fryer, but I don’t recommend it for making air fryer baked potatoes. Wrapping the potatoes prevents the hot air from crisping up the skin on the outside.
How to Reheat a Baked Potato in the Air Fryer
If I have leftover baked potatoes I want to heat up, I start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Once it’s hot, I cook the potatoes for 5-6 minutes until they’re warm all the way through!
More Air Fryer Side Dishes
- Rice in the air fryer
- Air fryer carrots
- Fried squash in the air fryer
- Air fryer green tomatoes
- Air fryer asparagus
- Biscuits in the air fryer
- Air fryer cornbread
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Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potato
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Sea salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground black pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Rinse and scrub the potatoes, then thoroughly dry them with a paper towel.
- Rub the skin with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt (and pepper, if using).
- Air fry the potatoes at 400 degrees F for 40-50 minutes, using tongs to flip them once halfway through the cooking time. They are done cooking when pierced easily with a fork.
Video
Notes
- Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel to help the oil stick better to the potato.
- Space out the potatoes in the air fryer basket.
- Rotate the potatoes halfway through cooking to crisp them up evenly on all sides.
- Test the potatoes by piercing them with a fork. When the fork glides smoothly, I know the potatoes are ready.
- Smaller potatoes cook faster, so adjust the cooking time based on their size.
- Store any leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers by cooking them in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5 to 6 minutes until they’re warmed all the way through.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Hi, Standard practice for a baked potato in the oven is to simmer it for 10 mins. This gives it a head start and heats the centre. Also reduces cooking time. Would this be good for air fryer. Your opinion please. Thanks.
Hi John, That is not necessary for this method of making baked potatoes. You’ll still end up with a crispy exterior skin and a fluffy interior. Enjoy!
Do I need to pierce the potatoes before putting in airfryer ?
Hi Greta, I recommend piercing the skin, yes.
How does this recipe and others as well, work out in a counter-top air fryer/toaster oven/oven combo? I’ve tried several recipes with no success like your pictured results using a smaller compact type fryer? It seems the smaller, compact type fryers with the pull out basket have better concentrated heat around the food being confined, ensuring even and reliable cook times whereas my fryer has way more open space, where food isn’t snuggled up close to the walls of the fryer. I just don’t get the same results in my fryer as you do in yours. Do you have a oven type fryer like mine? Can you tweek recipes to accommodate these types of air fryers, if there is any difference in temps, cook times, etc? My cook stove even has an air fryer feature with the basket rack. I’ve only been successful reheating restaurant shrimp and fries!! The wide open-ness of both my air fryer options seems to make a huge difference in success and flop.
Hi Debi, I have a couple of articles that go over using these other appliances with an air fryer function. These both include tips for getting the best results with the tools you have. The first one is “Air fryer vs. Convection Ovens” and the second is “How to Use an Oven with a Built in Air Fryer“. I hope these tips help to give you the results you’re looking for!
Delicious! Best potato skin ever. I wanted to make a second one just for the skin. Love your recipes. Thank you.
Hi Irene, I’m so thrilled you love the recipe! The crispy skin is just the best. Enjoy!