Air Fryer Jacket Potatoes: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this dish. It's a quick and easy method that yields crispy-skinned potatoes with fluffy insides. The air fryer's small batch size is perfect for cooking one or two potatoes, and its fast preheating means you can have a delicious meal or side ready in no time. With a range of toppings to choose from, you can create a simple yet satisfying dish.

Top tips for cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer

Jacket potatoes are a great dish to cook in an air fryer. Here are some top tips to get the best results:

Potato Preparation

First, prepare your potatoes by scrubbing them and patting them dry. Prick the potatoes with a fork to prevent them from bursting during cooking. You can also rub the potatoes with butter or oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil, and season with salt and pepper. This will help to crisp up the skin and enhance the flavour.

Air Fryer Settings and Cooking Time

Preheat your air fryer to around 200°C or 400°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes, but on average, they will take around 40-50 minutes to cook. Check on your potatoes after 20 minutes, and if they are browning too quickly, turn them over using tongs. You can test if the potatoes are done by inserting a sharp knife or fork; if it goes through easily, they are ready.

Toppings and Serving

Once your potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a plate and let them sit for a few minutes before slicing them open. You can then add your desired toppings. Some popular options include butter, sour cream, bacon, parsley, cheddar cheese, chilli, sliced chicken, and chives. Serve your jacket potatoes as a meal on their own or as a side dish with a simple protein.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftover jacket potatoes, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked and cooled potatoes in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Reheat your potatoes in the microwave, oven, or even the air fryer!

How to get the perfect crispy skin

Cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer is a great way to get the perfect crispy skin. The air fryer method is faster than using a conventional oven, and it also guarantees crispy skin and fluffy insides.

To get the perfect crispy skin, there are a few steps you can follow. Firstly, make sure you don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Four medium potatoes is usually the maximum that will fit without overcrowding. This ensures that the hot air can circulate properly and that the potatoes cook evenly.

Next, prepare the potatoes. Start by washing and drying them. Then, use a fork to prick the potatoes all over. This is an important step as it allows steam to escape, preventing the potatoes from bursting. After this, rub the potatoes with a fat or oil such as butter, olive oil, avocado oil, or another cooking oil. You can also use a cooking spray. This will help to crisp up the skin and make the seasoning stick.

Now, season the potatoes. Salt is a popular choice, and you can also add pepper, garlic powder, and other seasonings to taste. Use your hands to rub the seasonings onto the potatoes, ensuring an even coat.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 200C/400F for 25-30 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy. The total cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes, so keep an eye on them and adjust the time as needed.

Once the potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, they are ready to serve. You can slice them open and add more butter, as well as toppings such as sour cream, bacon, chives, or cheese. Enjoy your perfect crispy jacket potatoes!

How to avoid your potatoes bursting in the air fryer

Yes, you can cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer. However, potatoes are prone to bursting once cooked, so it's important to take certain precautions. Here are some tips to avoid your potatoes bursting in the air fryer:

Pierce the potatoes

Use a fork to pierce the potatoes all around. This is a crucial step as it allows the steam to escape, preventing the potatoes from bursting. Aim for about 6-8 piercings evenly spaced around each potato.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. While preheating may not be essential for all dishes, it is important when cooking potatoes. Potatoes cooked in a preheated air fryer will be crispier and cook more evenly.

Cut potatoes into even sizes

Regardless of the recipe, chopping your potatoes into evenly sized pieces is essential for them to cook evenly. Smaller pieces cook faster, while larger pieces need more time. If the potato pieces are uneven, some may be overcooked, while others may be undercooked.

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer

Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This can affect the cooking time and texture of the potatoes. It also prevents proper air circulation, which is necessary for the potatoes to crisp up properly.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your jacket potatoes cook evenly and don't burst in your air fryer.

The best types of potatoes to use

Jacket potatoes can be cooked in an air fryer and the best types of potatoes to use are those that are uniform in size and free from eyes and blemishes. Here are some specific types of potatoes that are recommended for air frying:

Russets: These potatoes will crisp up wonderfully with a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft and fluffy with a mild flavour.

Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes: These are a favourite for air frying because they will crisp up perfectly but also turn a bit deeper golden colour because of the lower starch and higher sugar content. Their insides will be creamy and full of flavour.

Red potatoes: When roasted, these will turn an even darker golden brown because of their higher sugar and lower starch content. They will be crispy coming out but soften quickly on the outside. Their insides will be creamy and soft.

Baby potatoes or new potatoes: These are not a variety or type of potato, but halved baby red potatoes or yellow potatoes work perfectly in an air fryer recipe. If you can't find baby potatoes, larger Yukon Gold or other yellow potatoes cut into 3/4-inch chunks can be used instead.

How to reheat your jacket potatoes

Yes, you can cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer! Reheating jacket potatoes in an air fryer is a great way to get crispy skin and fluffy insides in just a few minutes. Here's how to do it:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your potatoes. If your potatoes are already baked and you're simply reheating them, you can skip the preparation step. However, if you're baking the potatoes for the first time, rub them with olive oil, avocado oil, or butter. You can also season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. Poke a few holes in the potatoes with a fork to prevent them from bursting during cooking.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded, as this will affect even cooking. If you're cooking baked potatoes for the first time, they will need to cook for about 25-50 minutes, depending on their size. If you're reheating already-baked potatoes, 10-15 minutes should be enough. For an extra-crispy skin, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the last few minutes of cooking.

If you're reheating halved potatoes or stuffed potato skins, wrap them in foil before placing them in the air fryer. This will help keep the insides soft and moist. Reheat for 5-8 minutes, or until they're crispy and heated through. You can also brush the potatoes with garlic butter or sprinkle cheese on top before reheating for extra flavor.

With these simple steps, you'll have delicious, crispy jacket potatoes ready to enjoy!

Frequently asked questions