Air Fryer Baked Potato
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Last updated on Dec 20, 2024
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Make an air fryer baked potato in less time than it takes to bake in the oven. With a crispy, salted skin and soft, fluffy center it’s a delicious and easy side for any meal.
Usually I’m all about a baked sweet potato, but sometimes you’re just in the mood for a classic baked potato, am I right?!
And once I learned how to make a baked potato in the air fryer I never looked back. An air fryer baked potato cooks up in 15-20 minutes less than it takes to cook in the oven. Plus, there’s no more waiting for the oven to heat up or wondering if it’s done, the air fryer gives you a perfectly cooked baked potato with crispy skin and a soft, fluffy center every single time.
It’s the perfect no-fuss side dish that can be served plain, with just butter and salt, or with as many of your favorite toppings as your heart desires. There’s no wrong way to serve these air fryer baked potatoes!
If you’re new to the air fryer be sure to check out all of my air fryer recipes!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – With only three ingredients and about 35-40 minutes, you’ve got the perfect side or base for dinner.
- Customizable – Top with anything you love, from sour cream and chives to chili, avocado, or even a drizzle of cashew cream.
- Minimal cleanup – No baking sheet or foil needed; just pop your potatoes in the air fryer, let them cook and enjoy!
Ingredients Needed
- russet potatoes – perfect for baking! They get nice and fluffy on the inside with a crispy skin. Russets give that classic fluffy texture, but you can definitely use other types! Yukon Golds work well and have a slightly creamy texture, and red potatoes will give you a smaller, softer baked potato.
- olive oil – helps the skin get golden and crispy in the air fryer.
- coarse sea salt – adds a little crunch and enhances the flavor of the potatoes.
Variations
- Herbed: Add a sprinkle of dried rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning to the olive oil before rubbing it on the potatoes. It adds a subtle herby flavor that makes these potatoes feel extra cozy.
- Garlic & parmesan: If you’re a fan of that savory, cheesy vibe, try sprinkling garlic powder and a bit of Parmesan on the potatoes after you add the olive oil. The Parmesan gets all crispy and golden as it cooks, making them totally addictive!
- Spicy: If you love a little heat, sprinkle cayenne pepper or smoked paprika on the potatoes before air frying. It’s a simple way to give them a bit of a kick.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potato
Step 1: Rinse and scrub sweet potatoes. Use a fork to poke holes in each potato.
Step 2: Rub oil on each potato in a baking dish.
Step 3: Add salt to the potatoes.
Step 4: Add potatoes to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for about 35-40 minutes, or until fork tender. Flip the potatoes over about halfway through cooking.
Brittany’s Tip
Don’t skip the oil rub: Rubbing each potato with olive oil before cooking is key to that golden, crispy skin. Plus, the flavor boost is worth it!
How to Serve Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
These baked potatoes are super versatile and make the perfect base for so many toppings! Here are some favorite ways to serve them:
- Classic style – Top with a pat of butter, a dollop of sour cream (or greek yogurt), chopped chives or green onions, and a sprinkle of sea salt for that simple, classic baked potato vibe.
- Loaded – Go all out with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon (or turkey bacon), and a side of my vegan ranch dressing for dipping. It’s like a loaded meal in itself!
- Southwest twist – Add black beans, diced avocado, salsa, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Pair it with either my vegan queso or cottage cheese queso for a creamy, flavorful topping that’s so satisfying.
- Vegan-friendly – Keep it dairy-free with a drizzle of cashew sour cream or garlic tahini dressing and add crumbled tempeh bacon on top for extra flavor and texture.
- Chili stuffed – Add a few scoops of chili to the center of the air fryer baked potato. Top with traditional chili toppings and enjoy! Try this with my healthy turkey chili or my easy vegetarian chili.
How to Store & Reheat
Baked potatoes are great for meal prep! I love cooking multiple potatoes during my weekend meal prep to have on hand for the week. Here’s how to store and reheat them:
- To store: You can store whole or halved potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can also scoop out the flesh and just store that in the fridge.
- To freeze: To freeze, let your potatoes cool, then scoop out the flesh and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Place your potato in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated throughout. You can also microwave to reheat it, but the skin won’t be as crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, definitely! Poking a few holes in the potatoes lets the steam escape as they cook, so your potatoes won’t burst in the air fryer. Plus, it helps them bake up nice and evenly.
No! I grew up with my mom wrapping potatoes in foil before baking, but I’ve since learned that not only is it unnecessary, it also steams the potatoes and makes the skin soggy and soft rather than crispy. Just rub the potato skins with olive oil and sea salt and they’ll come out super crisp and crunchy!
This exact timing will depend on the size of the potato and your air fryer. In my Ninja air fryer at 400°F it took me 35-40 minutes to cook a medium sized (about 7-10 ounces) russet potato. You’ll know your potatoes are done when you can easily insert a knife or fork into the center of your potatoes.
No, there’s no need to soak your potatoes before cooking in the air fryer. This will result in overly cooked and mushy potatoes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer French Fries
More Potato Recipes to Try
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes
- Mustard Greens Salad with Roasted Potatoes and Tomatoes
- Vegetable Soup
- Classic Minestrone Soup
- Lemon Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan Meal
- Smashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potatoes
Be sure to check out all of the air fryer recipes and side dish recipes here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Ingredients
- 3 medium russet potatoes
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Rinse and scrub sweet potatoes. Use a fork to poke holes in each potato. I like to do 4-8 holes, depending on how big the potato is.
- Rub oil on each potato then season with salt.
- Air fry at 400°F for about 35-40 minutes, or until fork tender. Flip the potatoes over about halfway through cooking. You’ll know they’re done when a knife easily slides through the flesh.
- Once cooked through, remove from the air fryer, cut open and top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Storage: Store whole or halved potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days, or freeze just the scooped-out flesh for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or microwave for a quicker option, though the skin won’t stay crispy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
