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

Air fryers are a great way to cook baked potatoes, offering a quicker and more energy-efficient method than using an oven. They produce a crisp skin with a fluffy centre. The cooking time depends on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes around 40-50 minutes to cook two medium-sized potatoes in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preparation: scrub potatoes, dry, and pierce with a fork

Preparing your potatoes is an important step in the air-frying process. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your potatoes are ready for cooking:

Start by scrubbing the potatoes under running water. This will help to remove any dirt or residue on the surface of the potatoes. You can use a vegetable brush or a clean, dedicated sponge to scrub them gently but thoroughly. Make sure to cover all areas of the potatoes, including the skin, as you want them to be clean before drying and piercing.

Once scrubbed, dry the potatoes with a clean kitchen towel or some kitchen paper. It is important to ensure they are completely dry before piercing and cooking. This will help the seasoning stick to the potatoes and also promote even cooking.

Finally, use a fork to pierce the potatoes all over. This step is important as it allows steam to escape during the cooking process. It is recommended to pierce the potatoes a few times, all over, to ensure the steam can escape and help prevent the potatoes from splitting.

Some recipes also suggest poking holes in the potatoes and microwaving them for a few minutes before air frying. This is an optional step that can help speed up the cooking process in the air fryer and ensure the insides of the potatoes are soft and fluffy.

Now that your potatoes are prepared, they are ready for seasoning and cooking in the air fryer!

Oil and seasoning: coat in oil, season with salt and other spices

Oil and Seasoning for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Oil

Coating your potatoes in oil helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes and ensures a crispy texture. You can use any type of cooking oil spray or a drizzle of oil. Oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado, canola, or olive oil, are ideal.

Seasoning

Salt is a must for seasoning your potatoes. You can also add pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or any other herbs and spices of your choice. For example, you could try a Cajun spice blend, or a combination of cumin, chilli powder, and garlic powder. You could also add a squeeze of lemon to your potatoes before serving to cut through the richness.

Air fryer settings: cook at 400°F for 30-50 minutes

Air fryer settings are an important part of the cooking process. For a successful bake, it is crucial to understand the relationship between temperature and cooking time. When cooking with an air fryer, it is generally recommended to reduce the temperature and cooking time in comparison to a conventional oven. This is because air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently, cooking food faster and achieving a crispier texture.

For air fryer settings, it is advised to cook at 400°F for 30-50 minutes. This temperature and time range is specifically suitable for recipes like baked potatoes, which require a longer cooking duration to achieve a soft and fluffy texture. By following this setting, you can expect to produce tender baked potatoes with a delicious crispy skin.

However, it is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Smaller potatoes will require less time, while larger potatoes might need a few extra minutes. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a close eye on your potatoes during the cooking process and adjust the timing accordingly.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that air fryer models can differ significantly. Hence, it is advisable to occasionally check on your food to ensure it is not cooking too quickly or slowly. This way, you can make any necessary adjustments to the temperature or timing to achieve the desired results.

To enhance the flavour and texture of your baked potatoes, consider the following tips:

• Pierce the potatoes with a fork before placing them in the air fryer. This allows steam to escape and helps achieve a fluffier texture.
• Avoid wrapping the potatoes in foil. Cooking them directly in the air fryer without foil will result in crispier skin.
• Lightly coat the potatoes with oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, to promote even browning and a crispier skin.
• Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or other desired spices to enhance their flavour.

Flip and cook: turn potatoes over and cook for another 5-25 minutes

Once you've prepped your potatoes by scrubbing, drying, seasoning, and pokeing holes in them, it's time to get cooking! Place your potatoes in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 400°F. The cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes, but for medium-sized potatoes, you'll want to air fry them for about 30 minutes before flipping.

After the initial 30 minutes, it's time to flip and cook your potatoes for an additional 5 to 25 minutes. This step is crucial to ensuring your potatoes are cooked evenly on all sides. The total cooking time for your potatoes will be between 40 and 50 minutes, depending on their size. For larger potatoes, you may need to cook them for the full 50 minutes, while smaller potatoes may be done in as little as 40 minutes.

While the potatoes are cooking, you can use tongs to rotate them and check that they are not browning too quickly on one side. If they are, go ahead and flip them over. This will ensure an even cook and prevent any burning.

Once the potatoes have been cooking for a total of 40 to 50 minutes, it's time to check on their progress. Use a sharp knife or a paring knife to test how easily it slides into the center of the potatoes. If it goes in without resistance, your potatoes are done! If not, don't worry. Simply return the potatoes to the air fryer and cook in 3-5 minute intervals until they are tender and fluffy on the inside.

Test for doneness: pierce with a knife to check if cooked

When cooking baked potatoes in an air fryer, it's important to test for doneness to ensure they are cooked through. One way to do this is by piercing the potatoes with a knife to check if they are cooked. If the knife slides through the centre of the potatoes easily, they are done. If not, they may need a few more minutes in the air fryer.

The cook time for baked potatoes in an air fryer can vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the specific air fryer model. For example, larger and thicker potatoes will take longer to cook than smaller potatoes. Therefore, it is important to test for doneness to ensure your potatoes are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Additionally, different types of air fryers may require different cook times. For instance, a basket-style air fryer may cook potatoes faster than a toaster-style air fryer. So, it is crucial to adjust the cooking time accordingly and test for doneness with a knife to ensure perfect results.

Moreover, it is recommended to pierce the potatoes with a fork or knife before air frying to allow steam to escape during the cooking process. This simple step can help prevent your potatoes from bursting open in the air fryer, ensuring a cleaner cooking experience.

By following the recommended cook times, testing for doneness with a knife, and adjusting the cooking time as needed, you can achieve perfectly cooked baked potatoes with crispy skin and fluffy insides every time.

Frequently asked questions