Air Fryer Baked Potatoes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens when it comes to baking potatoes. They produce a similar, if not better, result in a shorter amount of time. The ideal temperature to bake potatoes in an air fryer is 400°F for 35 to 50 minutes, depending on the size of the potato. To prepare the potatoes, first, wash and scrub them, then pat them dry. Next, prick them with a fork and rub them with olive oil and sea salt. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook until crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. Once they are done, slice open the tops, add your desired toppings, and enjoy!

Russet potatoes are best for air frying

Russet potatoes are the best option for air frying. Their high starch and low moisture content make them ideal for dry heat cooking methods, and they become nice and fluffy inside as they bake. Their skin also gets especially crispy!

When preparing your russet potatoes for the air fryer, start by washing and patting them dry. Then, prick them a few times with a fork. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and use your hands to rub it into their skin. You can also use cooking spray. Sprinkle them liberally with salt and place them in the air fryer basket.

It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Four medium potatoes are typically the maximum recommended amount to ensure the skin has enough space to crisp up. Make sure there is about 1 inch of space between each potato.

The cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes and the model of your air fryer. Small potatoes (4 to 6 ounces) will take around 25 to 30 minutes, while large potatoes (about 12 ounces) can take up to an hour. For medium to medium-large potatoes (8 to 10 ounces), cook for 40 to 50 minutes.

You'll know your russet potatoes are done when they are fork-tender and the skin is golden brown and crisp. Slice them open, fluff the insides, and serve with your desired toppings, such as butter, sour cream, or shredded cheddar cheese.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is an important step in the process of baking potatoes. While some air fryers may not require preheating, doing so ensures that your potatoes are exposed to the ideal temperature for achieving that coveted crispy skin and fluffy interior.

The preheating process varies depending on the model of your air fryer. Some, like the Wonder Oven, can preheat in a matter of seconds, while others may take a few minutes. It's always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines.

Once your air fryer reaches the desired temperature of 400°F, you can proceed with placing the prepared potatoes inside. It's important to note that different types of potatoes may have varying cook times, so adjust accordingly. For example, small red potatoes won't need as much time as larger russet potatoes.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can use this time to prepare your potatoes. Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their high starch content, which results in fluffy interiors. However, feel free to experiment with yellow potatoes, sweet potatoes, or any variety you prefer.

After selecting your potatoes, give them a good scrub to remove any dirt or residue. Pat them dry with a towel or kitchen paper. Then, use a fork to prick the potatoes a few times. This step is crucial as it allows steam to escape during the cooking process, preventing the potatoes from bursting.

The next step is to add some flavour and texture to your potatoes. Drizzle or rub olive oil onto the potatoes, making sure to coat them evenly. You can also use other types of oil, such as avocado oil or cooking spray. The oil adds moisture and helps achieve that crispy skin.

After coating the potatoes with oil, it's time to season them. Sprinkle sea salt or kosher salt liberally over the potatoes. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, black pepper, or dried parsley to enhance the flavour. Use your hands to ensure that the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Once your potatoes are prepared and your air fryer has preheated to 400°F, you're ready to start cooking. Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space around them for even cooking. Close the air fryer and let the magic happen!

Depending on the size of your potatoes, the cooking time at 400°F will vary between 35 to 60 minutes. For smaller potatoes, check for doneness around the 35-minute mark, while larger potatoes may need the full 60 minutes. You'll know they're ready when they're crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

When the timer goes off, use a fork or a sharp knife to check if the potatoes are done to your liking. If the potatoes can be easily pierced and the insides are fluffy, they're ready to be taken out. If not, you can put them back in for a few more minutes.

Once your potatoes are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or oven mitts to protect your hands from the hot air and surfaces. Slice open the tops of the potatoes and use a fork to fluff up the insides. Add a dollop of butter, sour cream, or your favourite topping, and enjoy!

Prick the potatoes with a fork

Pricking the potatoes with a fork is an important step in the process of baking potatoes in an air fryer. This step helps to create the perfect baked potato with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

The fork pricks create small holes in the potato, which allow steam to escape during the cooking process. This is crucial, as without these holes, the potatoes could burst open in the air fryer. By pricking the potatoes, you prevent an unsightly and potentially dangerous mess in your air fryer.

It is recommended to prick the potatoes multiple times, all around the potato, to ensure even cooking. A user comment on one recipe even suggests poking a few holes in both sides of the potato for best results. This step is so important that one recipe developer "freaked out a little" when they remembered they had forgotten to prick the potatoes halfway through cooking. Luckily, the potatoes turned out fine, but they recommend always remembering to prick the potatoes to ensure even cooking and to prevent any potential disasters.

Another benefit of pricking the potatoes is that it helps the seasoning stick to the potato skins. By creating small holes, the olive oil, salt, and other seasonings can better adhere to the surface of the potato, resulting in a more flavourful and crispy skin.

Drizzle with olive oil and season

Drizzling olive oil on potatoes before baking them in an air fryer is a great way to ensure they crisp up nicely. Olive oil helps the potatoes brown and soften as they cook. It is important to note that you should only use a light coating of olive oil on your potatoes. This is because too much oil can cause the potatoes to become soggy and unevenly cooked. In addition, if you are setting the temperature of your air fryer above 400°F, you should avoid using olive oil, as its smoke point is 410°F.

To drizzle olive oil on your potatoes, cut and rinse your potatoes, then pat them dry. Next, put them in a bowl and drizzle around one tablespoon of oil over them. Using your hands, stir the potatoes so that they are evenly coated. They should be oiled but not dripping.

After coating your potatoes in olive oil, you can season them with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning. You can also add other seasonings like smoked paprika, chili powder, taco seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.

Cook for 40-50 minutes

Once you've prepped your potatoes, it's time to get cooking! Place your potatoes in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 200°C. Depending on the size of your potatoes, they will need to cook for 40 to 50 minutes. For small potatoes (4 to 6 ounces), this will take 25 to 30 minutes. Medium to medium-large potatoes (8 to 10 ounces) will need 40 to 45 minutes. Large potatoes (about 12 ounces) will need about an hour.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes and the model of your air fryer. So, keep an eye on them and adjust the timing as needed. Check your potatoes after 20 minutes to ensure they're not browning too quickly on one side. If they are, use tongs to turn them over and check again after another 20 minutes to make sure they're cooked through.

You'll know your potatoes are done when they are soft or when you can easily insert a knife or fork into their centres. Once they're done, remove them from the air fryer and use a sharp knife to slice each potato lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. This will help reveal the fluffy interior.

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