Air-Fryer Twice-Baked Potatoes: A How-To Guide

Twice-baked potatoes are a delicious side dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a creamy and fluffy texture. The potatoes are filled with mashed potatoes, sour cream, cheese, and various other ingredients such as bacon, chives, or broccoli. The air fryer reduces the cooking time and makes the dish quick and easy to prepare.

How to make twice-baked potatoes in an air fryer

Twice-baked potatoes are a delicious side dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a perfect addition to any meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Ingredients:

• Russet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Sour cream
• Butter
• Milk (optional)
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, Parmesan, or Monterey Jack)
• Bacon bits or cooked bacon
• Green onions or chives

Instructions:

• Wash the potatoes and poke holes all over with a fork. This step is important to allow steam to escape and ensure even cooking.
• In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure the potatoes are well-coated.
• Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400°F (204°C). Cook for 35-45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
• Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. This will make them easier to handle.
• Once cooled, cut each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about a quarter of an inch attached to the skin. Be careful not to tear the skin.
• In a medium bowl, add the scooped-out potato, sour cream, butter, milk (if using), salt, pepper, and 3/4 cup of your chosen cheese. Mash the mixture until it is creamy and well combined. You can use a potato masher or a fork for this step.
• Scoop the mashed potato mixture back into the potato skins, filling them generously.
• Place the filled potatoes back into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and garnish with chopped bacon and green onions or chives.
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can get creative with your fillings! Try adding jalapeños, red pepper flakes, caramelized onions, garlic powder, paprika, or ranch dressing.
• For even cooking, try to use potatoes of similar size.
• Always give the potatoes a good scrub before using them, as the skin is edible.
• Pat the potatoes dry before tossing them in oil to help the oil and seasoning stick better.
• If you want a fluffier filling, mix in the sour cream and cheese while the potatoes are still hot.
• You can make these ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

What ingredients are needed

The potatoes

The best potatoes to use for twice-baked potatoes are russet potatoes. This is because their thick skin provides a solid base to hold the filling, and their starchy filling makes for a wonderfully fluffy texture. You can use a white or yellow potato if you prefer, but you will need to be careful when scooping and leave more flesh attached to the skin so that it will hold its shape.

Oil

Oil will crisp up the potato skins and add flavour to the potatoes. You can use olive oil or another oil of your choice.

Dairy

Butter, sour cream, and milk are all essential ingredients for making twice-baked potatoes. The butter adds flavour and moisture to the potatoes, while the sour cream adds a tangy flavour and makes the filling smooth and creamy. Milk also adds flavour and helps to smooth out the filling. You can also use plain Greek yoghurt instead of sour cream to increase the protein and reduce the fat content.

Cheese

Cheese is another key ingredient, adding flavour and helping to hold the filling together. Cheddar cheese is a popular choice, but you can also use mozzarella, Swiss cheese, Parmesan, Monterey Jack, Gouda, or another type of cheese that you prefer.

Bacon

Cooked bacon bits or slices are a common addition to twice-baked potatoes, adding a savoury flavour and some extra texture. However, this ingredient is optional, and you can leave it out to keep the dish vegetarian.

Seasonings and herbs

Salt and pepper are typically used to season twice-baked potatoes, but you can also add other seasonings and herbs such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ranch dressing, or fresh herbs like chives or green onions.

How to prepare the potatoes

Preparing twice-baked potatoes in an air fryer is an easy and quick way to make a delicious side dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the potatoes:

Step 1: Wash and Scrub the Potatoes

Give the potatoes a good scrub and wash to remove any dirt. You can use a paper towel to pat them dry. This step is important as the skin of the potatoes will be edible.

Step 2: Pierce the Potatoes

Using a fork, pierce each potato several times. This step helps vent the potato skin and release steam while they are cooking.

Step 3: Season and Coat the Potatoes

Drizzle olive oil over the potatoes and season them with salt and pepper. Make sure to coat the outer skin of the potatoes evenly. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs for extra flavour.

Step 4: Air Fry the Potatoes

Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 400° Fahrenheit and cook for 35 to 45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 5: Cool and Cut the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down for a few minutes. This will make them easier to handle. Then, cut each potato in half lengthwise.

Step 6: Scoop Out the Potato Flesh

Using a spoon or scoop, gently remove the baked potato flesh from each half, leaving about a quarter of an inch of potato attached to the skin. Be careful not to tear the skin. Place the scooped-out potato flesh into a separate bowl.

Step 7: Mash the Potato Flesh and Add Ingredients

Add butter, sour cream, and shredded cheese to the bowl with the scooped-out potato. You can also add other ingredients like cooked bacon, green onions, or chives. Mash everything together until it reaches a creamy and fluffy consistency. You can use a potato masher or a fork for this step.

Step 8: Fill the Potato Skins

Scoop the mashed potato mixture back into the potato skins, filling them generously. You can also add more ingredients on top, like extra cheese, bacon bits, or green onions.

Step 9: Air Fry the Stuffed Potatoes

Place the filled potatoes back into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Air fry at 400° Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the filling is heated through.

How to make the filling

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the filling for twice-baked potatoes in an air fryer:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/2-1 cup of sour cream
• 3-8 tablespoons of butter, softened
• 2 green onions, sliced thin
• 1/2-1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt to taste

You can also add milk, chives, bacon bits, and other ingredients of your choice, such as jalapeños, red pepper flakes, caramelized onions, garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder.

Steps

• Wash the potatoes and scrub them clean. Poke holes all over each potato with a fork. This step helps release steam and prevents the potatoes from bursting during cooking.
• Place the potatoes in a large bowl and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure the potatoes are well-coated.
• Put the potatoes in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400°F. Cook for 35-45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
• Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down for a few minutes so you can handle them safely.
• Cut each potato in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the baked potato filling, leaving about a quarter of an inch of potato inside the skin.
• Transfer the scooped-out potato filling to a medium-large bowl. Add the butter, sour cream, and shredded cheese. You can also add milk, green onions, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Use a hand mixer or a large fork to mix everything together until it reaches a mashed potato consistency. You can add more sour cream or milk if the mixture feels dry.

Now that you have prepared the filling, you can follow the rest of the recipe to assemble and cook your twice-baked potatoes in the air fryer. Enjoy!

How to cook the twice-baked potatoes

How to Cook Twice-Baked Potatoes in an Air Fryer

Twice-baked potatoes are a delicious side dish that can be prepared in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook them:

Ingredients:

• Russet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, or your choice)
• Green onions or chives
• Bacon bits (optional)
• Additional seasonings (e.g., garlic powder, onion powder, paprika)

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes:

Start by washing the potatoes and poking holes all over with a fork. This helps release steam during the cooking process. Then, in a large bowl, toss the potatoes with some olive oil, salt, and pepper to coat them evenly.

Step 2: Air Fry the Potatoes:

Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400°F. Cook for 35-45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 3: Scoop Out the Potato Flesh:

Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down for a few minutes. Then, cut each potato in half and scoop out most of the potato flesh into a large mixing bowl. Be sure to leave a quarter of an inch of potato flesh attached to the skin so that it holds its shape.

Step 4: Make the Filling:

To the bowl with the scooped-out potato, add butter, sour cream, milk (optional), green onions, salt, pepper, and shredded cheese. Using a masher or fork, mash the mixture until it reaches a creamy and fluffy texture. You can also use a hand mixer, but be careful not to overmix, as it can make the filling mushy. Feel free to add any additional seasonings or ingredients of your choice, such as jalapeños, garlic powder, or paprika.

Step 5: Fill and Air Fry Again:

Scoop the potato mixture back into the potato skins, filling them generously. Return the filled potatoes to the air fryer basket, making sure they are not stacked or overlapped. Air fry at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Step 6: Top and Serve:

Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and top with additional cheese, bacon bits, and chopped green onions or chives. Serve while they are still warm and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!

Tips:

• Try to use potatoes of similar size so they cook evenly.
• Give the potatoes a good scrub before use, as the skin is edible.
• You can make these potatoes ahead of time and freeze them for quick side dishes later.
• Get creative with your fillings! You can add broccoli, shrimp, cream cheese, buffalo chicken, or anything you like.

Frequently asked questions