This air fryer baked potato recipe is your ticket to a quick, easy, and versatile meal. These potatoes come out with perfectly crispy skin and soft fluffy insides. Once you have made a baked potato in the air fryer, you’ll never go back!
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Baked potatoes are the ultimate customizable dish. This air fryer baked potato recipe is perfect as a hearty side dish and can easily be made into the main event. And you can make baked potatoes in the Ninja Foodi if you have that as well!.
Depending on the toppings, you can easily accommodate most preferences. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or omnivore — we got you covered.
Potato toppings can range anywhere from vegan butter and chives to a fully loaded pulled pork potato. You could try broccoli, cheese and chicken, or taco meat and avocado. The possibilities are endless!
Create a buffet style potato bar and let the magic happen! This is also a great way to use up leftovers from the past week. Get creative and have fun.
And if you happen to have any family members who strongly prefer sweet potatoes, check out our recipe for Easy Baked Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer. The process is almost identical, and it will be easy to make them at the same time.
Feeding a big family can be tricky but this air fryer baked potato recipe, especially when served buffet style, is an ultimate crowd pleaser.
Get ready to learn about Air Fried Baked Potatoes:
- Everything you need to make this simple and easy air fryer baked potato.
- Instructions on how to make a baked potato in the air fryer.
- Topping ideas for your family’s next potato bar night.
With only a few simple ingredients and almost no prep time, this recipe is as easy as it gets. Preheat that air fryer and let’s do this!
How to Air Fry Baked Potatoes
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Rinse and scrub your potatoes before using a paper towel to thoroughly dry them.
STEP THREE: Rub olive oil into the skin of the potatoes and 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.
How Long For Two Baked Potatoes In Air Fryer?
Be sure your air fryer is preheated and properly calibrated first. Then, at 400 degrees F, it takes about 40-50 minutes to thoroughly cook each baked potato in the air fryer.
This will, of course, vary somewhat depending on the size of your potatoes. Larger potatoes will need more time and vice versa.
Tips for making Bake Potatoes in the Air Fryer
Do You Have to Poke Holes in a Potato Before Air Frying?
To pierce or not to pierce the potato? It seems this is a debate almost as old as potatoes themselves!
The point of poking holes in potatoes before baking is to make it possible for steam to escape from the skin during the cooking process.
Otherwise, too much pressure may build up and your potato might burst open.
Contrary to rumor, poking holes does not make your air fryer baked potato cook any faster. The holes simply act as a pressure valve.
It is not absolutely necessary to include this step, but I recommend it.
Taking a few seconds to poke a few holes will give you the best chance at perfectly crispy and fully intact skin on all your potatoes.
Should I Wrap My Potato in Foil Before Air Frying?
You can skip this step for your baked potato in the air fryer. We are aiming for a potato that is fluffy and light on the inside with crispy skin on the outside.
Wrapping your air fryer baked potato in foil will result in soggy skin and sad potatoes. Do yourself a favor — skip this step and save your foil. Your potatoes and family will thank you.
Best Toppings for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
The toppings definitely make the baked potato. I like to serve up these potatoes with loads of topping options in a buffet-style potato bar.
It is a fun and easy way to get everyone involved and the surest way to make everyone happy. Everyone loves the freedom and versatility of a buffet!
Try out some of these classic toppings to get you started:
- Butter or margarine
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Cheese (cheddar is best but feel free to use your favorite variety)
- Chives or chopped red onions
- Bacon bits
- Broccoli and cheese
- Make it a loaded potato with pulled pork, shredded chicken, or beef.
- Try Mexican style with pico de gallo, avocado, black beans, jalapenos, taco meat, etc.
How to Reheat a Baked Potato in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the potato is warmed all the way through.
You can read more tips on reheating a baked potato in the air fryer here.
FAQs for Baked Potatoes in Air Fryer
If your potatoes are still hard after air frying, they may need to cook longer, especially if they’re large.
Make sure the potatoes are fully dry before oiling and seasoning, and consider flipping them halfway through for even cooking.
Soaking potatoes helps remove excess starch so they can get super crispy. For potato skins or fries, it’s crucial.
But when you’re making full baked potatoes in the air fryer, you can skip the soak. The potatoes cook long enough that the skin will still get crispy!
It’s safe to put tin foil in the air fryer. In fact, I love it for preventing mess or wrapping foods like baked potatoes.
Just make sure the tin foil doesn’t cover all vents inside the basket. You want to maintain proper air circulation for even cooking.
Other Potato Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Hash Browns in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
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Bake Potatoes in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sea salt or to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste (optional)
- SERVE WITH: butter sour cream, crumbled bacon, cheese, chives, black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Rinse and scrub the potatoes, then thoroughly dry with a paper towel.
- Rub the skin with olive oil and sprinkle 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.
Video
Notes
How to Reheat a Baked Potato in the Air Fryer:
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the potato is 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!