Air Fryer Jacket Potatoes: How Long To Cook?

Air fryers are a great way to make baked potatoes with a crispy skin and a fluffy, tender middle. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer, but generally, a large potato will take around 40-50 minutes to cook in an air fryer. You can speed up the cooking time by microwaving the potato first and then transferring it to the air fryer to finish cooking and get crispy.

How to prepare your potato for the air fryer

Preparing your potatoes for the air fryer is simple. First, select your potatoes. You want to use a floury variety, such as King Edward, Maris Piper, Russet, Vivaldi or Estima. Give them a good scrub, as you'll want to eat the crispy skin. Then, pat them dry with kitchen paper.

Next, prick the potatoes several times, then coat them in oil, salt, and pepper. You can use a pastry brush to ensure an even coating, or simply drizzle the oil over the potatoes and rub it in with your hands. Avocado, olive, or sunflower oil are all good choices, but you can use any oil with a high smoke point. You can also add extra seasonings like garlic powder or parsley.

Now your potatoes are ready for the air fryer! Place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they're in a single layer and not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to 200°C and cook for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. Check on them after 20 minutes, and if they're browning too quickly, turn them over with tongs. You can also speed up the cooking time by microwaving the potatoes for 4-8 minutes before placing them in the air fryer.

What temperature to cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer

Air-fried jacket potatoes are a great way to achieve a crisp skin with a fluffy centre, and it's often quicker and more energy-efficient than using an oven.

To cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer, you should set the temperature to 200°C or 400°F. This temperature range is ideal for getting that crispy skin and fluffy middle texture.

The cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes and the model of your air fryer, but on average, it takes around 40-50 minutes at this temperature to cook a jacket potato in an air fryer.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start by scrubbing the potatoes and patting them dry with kitchen paper. Then, transfer them to a plate. You can use a variety of potatoes, such as russets, sweet potatoes, or floury potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward.

Step 2: Add Oil and Seasonings

Drizzle oil over the potatoes and rub it into the skins. You can use a variety of oils, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil. Make sure the potatoes are well-coated. Then, season with salt and pepper. The salt will help the skins crisp up. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or dried parsley.

Step 3: Cook in the Air Fryer

Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 200°C/400°F and cook for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes, and if they are browning too quickly, turn them over using tongs. The potatoes are done when a sharp knife can easily pierce through them.

Step 4: Serve with Toppings

Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and split them open. You can fluff up the insides with a fork and add a knob of butter. Serve immediately with your favourite toppings, such as butter, cheese, sour cream, baked beans, or tuna mayonnaise.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked jacket potatoes!

How long to cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer

Cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and energy-efficient method that can give you a crispy skin and fluffy middle.

Preparation

First, scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Then, prick the potatoes several times and coat them in oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic powder and dried parsley to taste.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 200°C for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of the potato. Small potatoes, around 225g each, will be ready in 40 minutes, while large potatoes, around 350g each, will take 45-50 minutes to get soft inside. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes and turn them over if they are browning too quickly. You can also use tongs to rotate the potatoes after about 25 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Tips

• To speed up the cooking time, you can microwave the potatoes on high for 8-10 minutes before air frying.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Four medium potatoes are the maximum recommended to ensure the skins have enough space to crisp up.
• Pierce the potatoes with a fork before cooking to allow steam to escape and prevent them from bursting.
• Different-sized potatoes will have different cooking times, so adjust the time accordingly and check the potatoes during cooking.

Toppings

Once the potatoes are cooked, carefully slice them in half lengthways and use a fork to fluff up the insides. Add a knob of butter to each potato, or try other toppings such as:

• Sour cream
• Cashew cream
• Cheddar cheese
• Tuna mayo
• Baked beans
• Crispy bacon

How to speed up cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer

Cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer is already quicker than using an oven, but there are ways to speed up the cooking time even more.

First, select the right type of potato. Baking potatoes, such as large floury potatoes like Maris Piper, King Edward, or Russet, are ideal. Then, scrub the potatoes and pat them dry with kitchen paper. Prick the potatoes several times with a fork, then coat them in oil, salt, and pepper. Avocado oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil are good choices. The oil will help to crisp up the skin and make the seasoning stick.

To reduce the cooking time, you can first microwave the potatoes on high for 8-10 minutes (5 minutes for one potato and 7 minutes for two). Then, transfer them to the air fryer to finish cooking and crisp up. Coat the potatoes in oil, salt, and pepper, and cook in the air fryer at 200°C for 10-12 minutes for one or two potatoes. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your potatoes. Check that the potatoes are fork-tender before serving.

For extra crispy skin, some people recommend giving the potatoes a light coat of cooking spray before sprinkling with salt and garlic powder. You can also try brushing the potatoes with oil using a pastry brush, especially if they are hot from the microwave.

What toppings to add to jacket potatoes

Jacket potatoes are a versatile dish that can be made in an air fryer, oven, or microwave. They are a great option for a quick, tasty, and budget-friendly meal. Here are some ideas for toppings to add to your jacket potatoes:

Classic Combinations

Jacket potatoes are a great vessel for classic combinations like cheese and tuna, or beans and cheese. For a simple, tasty, and nutritious meal, try adding baked beans, cheese, butter, or tuna mayonnaise. You could also add a twist to these classic combinations by using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes.

Meats

For a more substantial meal, you can add various meats to your jacket potato. Try chicken, turkey, or bacon, or go for something a little different like pulled pesto chicken or smoked mackerel.

Vegetarian Options

If you're looking for a vegetarian option, there are plenty of choices. You could try a vegan chickpea curry, or a jacket potato with whipped feta and sumac. For a simple option, add some butter, salt, and pepper.

Creative Toppings

Get creative with your toppings! Try a pizza jacket potato with pepperoni and pesto, or a taco-stuffed sweet potato. You could also try a French onion baked potato or a spinach and artichoke baked potato.

Chilli

Chilli is a great addition to a jacket potato. Try a chilli con carne jacket potato, or a tomato and chilli-topped potato. For a vegetarian option, go for a vegan three-bean chilli.

Salads

For a lighter option, top your jacket potato with a salad. Try a Swedish prawn salad, or a tuna, lime, and coriander salad. You could also add a simple mixed salad on the side.

Other Ideas

There are endless possibilities for jacket potato toppings. Here are a few more ideas:

• Sour cream
• Guacamole and kidney beans
• Coronation chicken or chickpeas
• Mushrooms
• Minced beef and cheddar
• Sloppy Joe
• Salsa

Frequently asked questions