Reheating Baked Potatoes: Air Fryer Magic

Baked potatoes are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a side or a filling meal. But what happens when you have leftovers? Is it possible to reheat a baked potato in an air fryer and achieve the same crispy skin and fluffy interior? The answer is yes! Here's an introduction to the topic of reheating baked potatoes in an air fryer, including some tips and tricks to ensure delicious results.

How to get the perfect crispy skin

To get the perfect crispy skin on your reheated baked potatoes, follow these steps:

Firstly, it is important to note that the air fryer will reheat your baked potato in minutes, and its intense, circulating heat will ensure it doesn't steam but stays fluffy inside with a nice crisp on the outside.

Preparation

Before reheating your baked potatoes, ensure they are unwrapped and that you have rubbed the outsides with olive oil and sprinkled them with salt. You can also season with pepper, garlic powder, and parsley for extra flavour.

Reheating

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the unwrapped potatoes in the basket and cook until heated through, which should take around 3 to 5 minutes. If you want to add shredded cheese, do so near the end, and cook until it is bubbly and lightly browned.

For Extra Crisp

If you want your potatoes to have an extra-crispy skin, spray the outsides with olive oil and turn up the heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.

For Twice-Baked Potatoes

If you are making twice-baked potatoes, cook the skins in the air fryer for 5 minutes to get them hot and crispy. Then, take them out, fill them with your desired fillings, and put them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes.

Thickness and Size

The thickness and size of your potatoes will affect the cooking time. The thinner the potatoes, the quicker they will cook. Larger potatoes will take longer to heat through to the centre, so adjust the timing accordingly.

Reheating a baked potato in an air fryer vs. an oven

Reheating a baked potato in an air fryer is a great way to ensure it stays crispy. To do this, turn your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit and heat the potato for three to four minutes, or until it's hot. However, the air fryer's small capacity means you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

If you're looking to reheat multiple baked potatoes at once, the oven is the best option. This method helps keep the potatoes from drying out, and you can reheat a whole rack of spuds in one go. To reheat a baked potato in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and take the potatoes out of the fridge so they can reach room temperature. Then, place the potato directly on the rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through.

While the oven is the best option for reheating multiple baked potatoes, the air fryer is perfect for a quick and easy reheat of a single potato.

Reheating a whole potato vs. sliced potato

Reheating a whole potato in an air fryer is a great way to ensure it's crispy. Turn your air fryer to 350-400°F and heat the potato for 10-15 minutes, or until it's hot. If you want the skin to be extra crispy, spray the potato with cooking spray or rub it with olive oil.

The main downside of this method is the small capacity of the air fryer, meaning you may need to do several batches. If you're short on time, you can speed up the process by slicing the potato in half and placing it cut-side down in a skillet with a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the potato warm up for 3-4 minutes.

If you're reheating sliced potatoes, the timing will be much quicker. If you've only got the skins left or have cut the potato into hash brown-sized pieces, it will only take a few minutes. If your sliced potatoes are already cooked and you're just looking to warm them through, place them in the air fryer for about 5 minutes.

To ensure your potatoes are safe to eat, make sure the internal temperature reaches 185°F.

How to reheat a baked sweet potato in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat a baked potato in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to reheat a baked sweet potato in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potato:

Start by poking holes in the sweet potato with a fork. This is an important step to prevent the sweet potato from bursting in the air fryer. Then, rub olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil on the outside of the sweet potato skin. You can also add some salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Wrap the Sweet Potato:

Wrap the seasoned sweet potato tightly in aluminum foil. This will help keep the potato moist and tender during the reheating process.

Step 3: Place in the Air Fryer:

Place the wrapped sweet potato into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Set the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the cooking time for 10-12 minutes.

Step 4: Flip and Continue Cooking:

Use tongs to flip the sweet potato halfway through the cooking process. This ensures even heating. Continue cooking for the remaining time or until the sweet potato is heated through.

Step 5: Serve:

Remove the sweet potato from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before unwrapping and serving. You can cut it open and add a pat of butter and brown sugar, or top it with your favorite toppings such as cinnamon, marshmallows, pecans, or sour cream.

Tips for Reheating Sweet Potatoes in an Air Fryer:

• Shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to ensure even cooking on all sides of the sweet potato.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if necessary.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the sweet potato, so adjust accordingly.
• For whole sweet potatoes, a longer cooking time of 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit may be needed.

How to get a potato skin crispy again

There are several ways to reheat a baked potato and achieve a crispy skin. Here are some methods to try:

Air Fryer

Reheating a baked potato in an air fryer is a great way to ensure it gets crispy again. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the potato directly into the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. If you want the skin to be extra crispy, you can rub the potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before placing it in the air fryer.

Oven

Oven reheating is another easy method that will give you great results. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the potato directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

Grill

If you're already firing up the grill, you can also reheat your baked potato there. Wrap the potato in foil and place it on the grill rack. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning it a few times to ensure even heating.

Stovetop

Using a skillet on the stovetop is another quick and easy method. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cut the potato in half and put the cut sides down in the pan. Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes. Once heated, flip the potato so all sides get crispy.

Microwave with Air Fryer

If you're in a pinch, you can also use a combination of the microwave and air fryer to reheat your potato. First, microwave the potato until it's heated through. Then, place it in the air fryer to crisp up the skin. This method will be faster than just using the air fryer, but it may not get the skin as crispy.

Frequently asked questions