Air Fryer Baked Potatoes: Foil-Friendly?

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook baked potatoes. They produce an even bake with a crispy skin and fluffy interior. While it is safe to use foil in an air fryer, wrapping potatoes in foil is not recommended as it will make the skin soggy. Instead, rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt to achieve a crispy skin.

How to make an air fryer baked potato

Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Butter
• Your choice of toppings

Method:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn't require preheating, you can skip this step.

Next, prepare the potatoes. Russet potatoes are best as they have a high starch content, resulting in fluffy insides and an extra-crispy skin. Scrub the potatoes well and pat them dry. Prick the potatoes a few times with a fork, then drizzle with olive oil and rub it into their skin. Sprinkle the potatoes liberally with salt.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving about a ½-inch of space between each potato. Cook at 400°F for 25 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and continue cooking for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.

Once cooked, slice open the tops of the potatoes and fluff the insides with a fork. Serve with salt, pepper, and your desired toppings.

Tips:

• If you prefer softer, steamed potatoes with a moist skin, pierce the potatoes and wrap them in foil before baking. However, this will make the skin soggy and may increase the cooking time.
• For even cooking, use similarly-sized potatoes and don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Always poke holes in the potatoes before cooking to prevent them from bursting.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes, with larger potatoes taking longer to cook.

How long to cook a baked potato in an air fryer

Cooking a baked potato in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, fluffy potatoes with crispy skins. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potato and the desired crispiness, but generally, you can expect to air fry a baked potato for around 40-50 minutes at 400°F.

Preparation

Before cooking, it is recommended to scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt and dry them thoroughly. Poke holes in the potatoes using a fork or knife to allow steam to escape during cooking. This will prevent the potatoes from bursting. You can then rub or brush olive oil onto the potato skins and sprinkle them with salt.

Cooking

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving a small gap between each potato to allow for even cooking. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to preheat it to 400°F before adding the potatoes.

For a large baked potato, cook at 400°F for around 40-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. You can test this by piercing the potato with a fork or knife. Flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Serving

Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a few minutes before cutting them open. You can then fluff the insides with a fork and add your desired toppings, such as butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, or crumbled bacon.

Tips

• Use similar-sized potatoes to ensure even cooking.
• Do not wrap the potatoes in foil as this will make the skins soggy.
• For a simple way to speed up cooking, some people recommend microwaving the potatoes for a few minutes before placing them in the air fryer.

Should you wrap a potato in foil before air frying?

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook baked potatoes, with many recipes suggesting that they produce better results than conventional ovens. They are faster, more energy-efficient, and produce evenly cooked, crispy-skinned potatoes with fluffy insides.

But should you wrap your potatoes in foil before placing them in the air fryer? The answer is no. While it is safe to use foil in an air fryer, wrapping potatoes in foil will make the skins soggy. This is because the foil will steam the potatoes, keeping the jackets moist and tender, rather than crispy.

If you want to achieve that signature crispy skin, it is best to skip the foil and season the potato skins with olive oil and sea salt instead. You can also achieve good results by brushing the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkling them with salt. However, if you prefer a softer skin, you can pierce the potatoes and wrap them in foil before baking. Just be aware that this will increase the cooking time.

It is important to note that, regardless of whether you use foil or not, you should always prick the potatoes with a fork or knife before air frying. This allows steam to escape, preventing the potatoes from bursting open during cooking.

What are good toppings for an air fryer baked potato?

There are many toppings that can be used to elevate the flavour of an air-fried baked potato.

For those who enjoy a simple potato, a pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt can be added to enhance the natural flavour of the potato. For those who like a more loaded potato, toppings such as butter, salt, pepper, chives, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled feta, chopped fresh herbs, and chopped green onions can be used.

For those who are more adventurous, toppings such as bacon, chilli con carne, ground beef, pulled pork, shredded chicken, Mexican street corn, sliced avocados, chopped tomatoes, roasted peppers, steamed vegetables, sliced olives, Greek yoghurt, cilantro, oregano, rosemary, and crushed chips can be used.

For those who enjoy a more indulgent potato, toppings such as gouda with sautéed mushrooms and garlic, and a sprinkle of tarragon can be used.

Ultimately, the choice of toppings for an air-fried baked potato is endless and can be tailored to one's personal preferences.

How to store air fryer baked potato leftovers

To store air fryer baked potato leftovers, you can use plastic wrap or an airtight container.

Firstly, allow your baked potatoes to cool down to room temperature. Be careful not to let the potatoes sit out for over two hours, as this could be a food safety issue. Then, wrap them in plastic wrap, seal them tightly, and store them in the refrigerator. Alternatively, store them in an airtight container, such as a plastic container with a lid or a plastic storage bag. Your leftover potatoes will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

If you want to repurpose your baked potatoes, it is best to freeze them. After your potatoes have cooled, place them in the freezer, ensuring they are not touching each other. Once frozen, remove them from the freezer and place them in an airtight plastic bag. You can also individually wrap them in aluminium foil. Frozen potatoes can be stored for up to six months.

Frequently asked questions