Air Frying A Jacket Potato: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a great way to cook jacket potatoes, as they are more energy-efficient than ovens and can cook potatoes in about half the usual time. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer, but generally, a small potato will take around 40 minutes to cook, and a large potato will take around 45-50 minutes. You can speed up the cooking time by microwaving the potatoes first.

Cooking time depends on potato size

The size of the potato and model of air fryer may affect the cooking time. You can speed up the cooking by microwaving your jacket potatoes first. Microwave on high power for four minutes, turn the potato over, and microwave for another four minutes. Then cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes to crisp up.

Microwaving potatoes first speeds up cooking

Small potatoes (around 225g/8oz) will be ready in 40 minutes, while large potatoes (around 350g/12oz) will take 45-50 minutes to get soft inside. You can also speed up the cooking time by microwaving on high for 8-10 minutes before air frying, checking after 15-20 minutes.

Air fryers are more energy-efficient than ovens, and baked potatoes cook in about half the usual time. They also give a crispy skin and creamy middle. To cook, rub the potato all over with a little oil and, if you like, a little salt to help give a crispier finish. Put the potato in the air fryer and turn to 200C (no need to preheat). Air fry for 20 minutes, then turn the potato over. A small potato will take another 20 minutes, while a large one will take another 25-30 minutes.

Air fryers are more energy-efficient than ovens

To cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer, arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 200C and cook for 40-50 minutes, or until a sharp knife goes through the potatoes easily. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes – if they seem to be browning too quickly on one side, turn them over using tongs, then check again after another 20 minutes to ensure they're cooked through.

You can also rub the potato all over with a little oil and, if you like, sprinkle with salt to help give a crispier finish. Air-fry for 20 minutes, then turn the potato over. A small potato will take another 20 minutes or so, a large one another 25–30 minutes.

How to get a crispy skin

To get a crispy skin on your jacket potatoes, rub the potatoes with a little oil and salt before placing them in the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 200C and cook for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. If you are cooking small potatoes (around 225g/8oz each), they will be ready in 40 minutes. Large potatoes (around 350g/12oz each) will take 45-50 minutes to get soft inside. You can speed up the cooking time by microwaving the potatoes first for 4-10 minutes, depending on the number of potatoes you are cooking, and then cooking them in the air fryer for 10 minutes to crisp up.

How to get a fluffy middle

To get a fluffy middle, cook your potatoes at 200C/400F for 40-50 minutes, or until a sharp knife goes through the potatoes easily. You can also microwave your potatoes first to speed up the cooking process. Microwave on high power for four minutes, turn the potato over, and microwave for another four minutes. Then, cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes to crisp up.

To get the perfect fluffy middle, it's important to choose the right type of potato. Look for potatoes labelled as bakers, or a floury variety, such as King Edward, Maris Piper, Vivaldi or Estima.

Once your potatoes are cooked, carefully slice each potato in half lengthways. Use a tea towel to protect your hands and a fork to fluff up the insides of the potatoes. Add a knob of butter to each potato and serve.

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