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

Cooking two baked potatoes in an air fryer is a quick and energy-efficient way to achieve crispy skin with a fluffy centre. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes and the model of the air fryer. For example, a medium potato (8-10 ounces) will take 35 to 45 minutes to cook, while a large potato (12 ounces or more) will take 45 to 55 minutes. It is recommended to cook at 400°F and to flip the potatoes halfway through.

Russet potatoes are best

Russet potatoes are a great choice for air frying as they will crisp up wonderfully, with a pale golden colour. Their insides will be soft and fluffy, with a mild flavour.

Depending on the size of the potato, it will take around 35-50 minutes at 400°F for a 7-ounce Russet potato. Turn the potatoes over halfway through cooking. You can tell they are done when you can easily insert a knife into the centre.

Pierce the potatoes all over before cooking. You should also rub or spray the skin with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt. The crisp, salty skin is tasty and loaded with fibre.

Tips for Perfect Potatoes

• Wash the potatoes thoroughly, leaving the skin on for crispiness and extra nutrition.
• Don't wrap the potatoes in foil, as this will make the skin soggy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The potatoes need room for the air to circulate and crisp up properly.
• Preheat your air fryer for maximum crispiness.
• Check the potatoes after 20 minutes. If they are browning too quickly on one side, turn them over with tongs.
• If you are short on time, you can microwave the potatoes on high for 8-10 minutes before air frying.

Use olive oil

How to Bake Two Potatoes in an Air Fryer Using Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-large floury and starchy potatoes (e.g. Russets or Yukon Gold)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: butter, cheese, sour cream, chives, etc.

Method:

Start by washing and drying the potatoes. Prick the skin of the potatoes with a fork—this will help the heat escape and prevent the potatoes from bursting.

Next, rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Make sure the potatoes are well-coated and that the seasoning is evenly distributed.

Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them to ensure even cooking. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. For smaller potatoes, the cooking time will be shorter (around 20-30 minutes), while larger potatoes may need up to 45-50 minutes.

Halfway through the cooking time, use tongs to carefully flip the potatoes over. This will ensure that they cook evenly and don't brown too quickly on one side.

Once the potatoes are fork-tender and have a golden brown, crispy skin, they're ready! Remove them from the air fryer and slice them open lengthwise, being careful as they will be very hot. You can then add butter, cheese, or any other toppings of your choice.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will prevent the potatoes from crisping up properly.
• Pierce the potatoes with a fork before cooking to prevent them from bursting.
• If your potatoes are on the larger side, you may need to flip them over halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Use a neutral oil like olive oil to coat the potatoes, rather than a strong-flavored oil.
• Always check the internal temperature of the potatoes to ensure they're fully cooked. The ideal temperature range is 205°F to 210°F.
• For the best results, use floury and starchy potatoes like Russets. Waxy potatoes like red or fingerling potatoes are not ideal for this cooking method.
• If you want to speed up the cooking time, you can microwave the potatoes on high for 8-10 minutes before air frying.

Add salt

Adding salt to your potatoes is an important step in the air-frying process. Salt enhances the flavour of the potatoes and helps to crisp up the skins. You can use fine sea salt, kosher salt, or any other variety you have on hand. Sprinkle the salt generously over the potatoes, making sure to coat all sides. You can use your hands to rub the salt onto the potatoes and ensure an even distribution. In addition to salt, you can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or black pepper to further enhance the flavour of your air-fried potatoes.

Cook for 40-50 minutes

Cooking Time and Temperature

For fluffy insides and a crispy skin, set your air fryer to 400°F and cook two medium-sized potatoes for 40-50 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the model of the air fryer. For example, a large potato (12 ounces or more) may take 45 to 55 minutes to cook, whereas a small potato will take less time.

Preparation

Before cooking, scrub the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with kitchen paper. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork to prevent them from bursting in the air fryer. Drizzle or spray the potatoes with oil—you can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Rub the oil into the skins and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or parsley.

Cooking

Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch. Cook for 40-50 minutes, checking halfway through. If the potatoes are browning too quickly on one side, use tongs to turn them over. The potatoes are done when a sharp knife can easily be inserted into the centre.

Serving

Split the potatoes open and serve immediately with your choice of toppings, such as butter, sour cream, cheese, or bacon bits.

Top with butter, cheese, sour cream, etc

Baked potatoes are a blank slate when it comes to toppings. You can top them with almost anything, from butter, cheese, and sour cream to Greek yogurt and chives, or even broccoli. Here are some ideas for topping your air fryer baked potatoes:

Butter

For a simple, classic baked potato, top with butter, ghee, or coconut oil, and finish with salt and pepper. You can also add some chopped scallions, chives, or onions for a little extra flavor.

Cheese

Shredded cheddar cheese or your favorite variety is always a tasty option. For an extra indulgent treat, try loaded potatoes with butter, cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped bacon, and chives.

Sour Cream

Sour cream is a popular choice for baked potatoes. You can make it even more delicious by adding some dried herbs, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Mix it all together while your potatoes are cooking, and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

BBQ

For a fun twist, try topping your potato with BBQ sauce, pulled pork or chicken, cheddar cheese, and green onions.

Other Topping Ideas

• Baked beans
• Tuna mayonnaise
• Broccoli
• Pulled pork
• Chicken
• Chili
• Chopped bacon
• Turkey chili
• Philly cheesesteak
• Chicken enchilada
• Cashew cream
• Guacamole
• Ketchup

Frequently asked questions