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

Cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this dish. Air fryers are more energy-efficient than ovens and can cook jacket potatoes in about half the usual time. Air-frying results in a crispy skin and a creamy, fluffy middle. The cooking time depends on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer, but it typically takes around 40 to 50 minutes for a large potato to cook through. You can speed up the cooking process by microwaving the potatoes first and then transferring them to the air fryer to finish cooking and achieve a crispy texture.

How long to cook a jacket potato in an air fryer

Cooking a jacket potato in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get deliciously crispy skin and fluffy insides. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it will take between 30 and 60 minutes.

First, scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Prick the potatoes with a fork or skewer to allow steam to escape during cooking. Drizzle or brush the potatoes with olive oil or another oil with a high smoking point, such as avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil. You can also use butter or a cooking spray. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt, and optionally, other seasonings such as pepper, garlic powder, or parsley.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space around each potato for the air to flow. Set the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and cook for 30 to 50 minutes, or until a sharp knife or skewer can be easily inserted into the center of the potatoes. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes and turn them over if they are browning too quickly on one side. If you want to speed up the cooking time, you can microwave the potatoes for 8 to 10 minutes before placing them in the air fryer for 20 to 30 minutes.

Once the potatoes are cooked, cut them open and add butter, salt, and pepper, or your desired toppings. Enjoy your crispy and fluffy jacket potato!

How to get a crispy jacket potato skin

Yes, you can cook a jacket potato in an air fryer and get a crispy skin. The air fryer is a great way to cook a jacket potato, giving a crispy skin and a fluffy, tender middle.

To get the perfect jacket potato with a crispy skin, start by selecting the right type of potato. Look for potatoes labelled as 'bakers' or a floury variety, such as King Edward, Maris Piper, Russet, Vivaldi or Estima.

Scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Prick the potatoes a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking and prevent them from bursting. Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and rub it into the skin. You can also sprinkle with sea salt at this stage, which will help to make the skin crispier. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer.

Set the air fryer to 200C/400F and cook for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of the potato. For a small potato, 40 minutes should be enough, while a large potato may take up to 50 minutes. You can check if the potato is done by piercing it with a knife or fork; it should slide in easily. If it is not ready, continue to cook in one-minute intervals until done.

For an extra crispy skin, you can cook the potatoes for a further 10-12 minutes at the same temperature. You can also speed up the cooking process by microwaving the potatoes first for 5-7 minutes, then transferring them to the air fryer to finish cooking.

How to speed up cooking time

To speed up the cooking time when making jacket potatoes in an air fryer, you can first microwave the potatoes for a couple of minutes to cook them through before placing them in the air fryer. This will reduce the cooking time in the air fryer to 15 minutes.

Another way to speed up the cooking time is to ensure that you do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave room around each potato for the air to flow. If you are cooking more than one potato, you will need to add some extra cooking time.

You can also reduce the cooking time by selecting the right type of potato. Look for starchy potatoes such as King Edward or Maris Piper. Baby potatoes and other small potatoes tend to be waxy and hold their shape, so they will take longer to cook through.

What type of potato to use

When it comes to choosing the right type of potato for air frying, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, look for potatoes that are labelled as "baking potatoes". These are usually large, floury potatoes that will give you the desired fluffy texture inside and a crispy skin. If you can't find potatoes specifically labelled for baking, go for a large floury variety such as Maris Piper, King Edward, Russet, Vivaldi or Estima. These potatoes have a higher starch content, which helps achieve the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture.

The size of the potato is also important, as it will impact the cooking time. Small potatoes, around 225g/8oz each, will take around 40 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Large potatoes, around 350g/12oz each, will need about 45-50 minutes to get soft and fluffy inside. So, choose a size that fits your timing or adjust the cooking time accordingly.

It's also worth noting that you can use the air fryer to cook multiple potatoes at once, making it a convenient option for batch cooking or feeding a crowd. Simply arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.

To speed up the cooking process, you can partially cook the potatoes in the microwave first. Poke a few holes in the potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape, then microwave them for 4-8 minutes, depending on their size and the number of potatoes. After microwaving, transfer them to the air fryer to finish cooking and achieve that desirable crispy skin.

What temperature to cook at

The cooking time and temperature for jacket potatoes in an air fryer depend on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer. For small potatoes, around 225g/8oz each, set the air fryer to 200°C and cook for 40 minutes. For large potatoes, around 350g/12oz each, cook at the same temperature for 45–50 minutes. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes. If they are browning too quickly on one side, turn them over using tongs and put them back in the air fryer.

You can speed up the cooking time by microwaving the potatoes first. Pierce the potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape and prevent them from bursting. Then, microwave them on high power for 4–8 minutes. After microwaving, transfer the potatoes to the air fryer and cook at 200°C/400°F for 10–12 minutes for one or two potatoes. Alternatively, you can cook the potatoes in the air fryer without pre-cooking them in the microwave. In this case, cook them at 200°C/400°F for 45–50 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through.

Frequently asked questions