Air Fryer Jacket Potatoes: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens when it comes to making jacket potatoes. They are quicker, more energy-efficient, and give you a crisp skin with a fluffy centre. You can use any type of potato, from russets to sweet potatoes, and top them with anything from butter, cheese, and baked beans to tuna mayonnaise, chilli, and vegan cream.

How to prepare the potato

Preparing a jacket potato in an air fryer is a simple process. First, select your potato. Russets are a good choice for their high starch content, but you can also use yellow potatoes, sweet potatoes, or any other variety. Give the potato a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt, then dry it with kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.

Next, you'll need to poke some holes in the potato. Use a fork or skewer to make several holes, which will allow steam to escape during cooking and prevent the potato from bursting.

Then, it's time to add some flavour. Drizzle olive oil, or another oil with a high smoke point, over the potato and use your hands to rub it into the skin. Make sure the potato is well-coated. You can also add a pinch of salt at this stage, which will help the skin to crisp up. You could also add other seasonings, like garlic powder or chilli powder.

Finally, place the potato in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 200°C and cook for 40-50 minutes, or until a sharp knife or skewer can be easily inserted into the potato. Depending on your air fryer and the size of the potato, you may need to adjust the cooking time. For example, smaller potatoes will take less time to cook, while larger potatoes may need a little longer. Check the potato after 20 minutes, and turn it over if it seems to be browning too quickly on one side.

What temperature to cook at

To cook a jacket potato in an air fryer, you should preheat the air fryer to a temperature of around 400°F (200°C). This temperature will ensure that you get a crispy skin and fluffy inside. Depending on the air fryer and the size of the potato, the cooking time will vary, but it should take somewhere between 40 and 55 minutes.

Some recipes suggest that you can speed up the cooking time by first cooking the potato in the microwave for 8-10 minutes and then transferring it to the air fryer for 20-25 minutes. However, this method may not be necessary, as cooking the potato in the air fryer alone should be enough to get a crispy skin and fluffy inside.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer. Therefore, it is recommended to use a small knife or skewer to check if the potato is cooked through. If the potato is soft throughout, then it is ready to be served.

How long to cook for

The cooking time for jacket potatoes in an air fryer will depend on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer. It is recommended to set the air fryer to 200°C and cook for 40-50 minutes, or until a sharp knife can easily pierce the potatoes. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes and turn them over if they are browning too quickly. If you are cooking more than one potato at a time, you may need to add extra cooking time.

You can speed up the cooking time by microwaving the potatoes on high for 8-10 minutes before placing them in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes.

If you are cooking large potatoes, you may need to increase the cooking time to up to one hour to ensure they are soft throughout.

How to serve the potato

Once your potato is cooked, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips and suggestions for serving your jacket potato:

• Fluff the Inside: Before adding any toppings, use a fork to gently fluff the inside of the potato. This will make it nice and airy, enhancing the texture and making it ready to absorb any toppings you add.
• Slice it Open: Carefully slice the potato lengthwise along the top. This will create an opening for you to add your desired toppings and make it easier to eat.
• Add Butter: For a classic, indulgent option, add a generous amount of butter to the potato. You can use regular butter or go for something flavoured, like garlic butter.
• Cheese, Please: Sprinkle your favourite shredded cheese on top. Cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix of both work great. You could even add some crumbled feta for a tangy twist.
• Herbs and Spices: Chopped fresh herbs like chives, dill, or green onions add a burst of flavour and colour to your potato. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with spices like chilli powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, or cumin.
• Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream can add a nice tang and creaminess to your potato. You can use regular sour cream, vegan sour cream, or even Greek yoghurt for a healthier option.
• Get Creative: The possibilities for toppings are endless. You can add baked beans, tuna mayonnaise, chilli, or even a chickpea tuna salad. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite.
• Keep it Simple: If you prefer a more classic approach, simply add some butter, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. This simple combination lets the flavour of the potato shine through.
• Customise for Kids: Jacket potatoes are great for kids as they can easily be customised to their liking. Keep it simple with butter and cheese, or let them add their own fun toppings.
• Reheating: If you have any leftover jacket potatoes, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you're ready to serve them again, simply reheat them in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.

Remember, the beauty of a jacket potato is that it's versatile and can be tailored to your taste. Get creative with your toppings and enjoy your perfectly cooked, crispy-skinned, fluffy-centred potato!

What to serve the potato with

Jacket potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings and sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air fryer jacket potato:

Toppings

• Butter
• Cheese (cheddar), mozzarella, gruyère
• Sour cream
• Greek yoghurt ranch dressing
• Chives
• Green onions
• Dill
• Baked beans
• Tuna mayonnaise
• Crispy prosciutto
• Herbed garlic butter
• Spicy chilli, sriracha beans or spicy butterbeans
• Chopped vegetables
• Vegan sour cream
• Vegan chilli
• Slow cooker vegan chilli
• Chickpea tuna salad
• Olives

Sides

• BBQ baked chicken thighs
• Bavette steak (broiled garlic flank steak)
• Buttery fish with crispy skin
• Cast iron chicken breast with garlic butter
• Cast iron skillet burger
• Thick and healthy turkey chilli
• Mozzarella-stuffed chicken pomodoro
• Baked furikake salmon with kewpie mayo
• Healthy corn and zucchini fritters
• BBQ pulled chicken burgers
• Parmesan frico (cheese crisps)
• Elotes-style corn with furikake
• Maple bacon brussel sprouts
• Dutch oven whole chicken with Meyer lemon
• Pear and prosciutto rocket salad
• Chicken katsu (Japanese chicken cutlet)
• Broiled miso-glazed salmon

Frequently asked questions