Air Fryer Baked Russet Potatoes: Quick, Easy, Perfect!

Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air fryer recipes, and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baked, as chips, or in chunks. The cooking time will depend on the size of the potato and the desired level of crispiness, but generally, it takes around 20-30 minutes to cook russet potatoes in an air fryer.

How to prepare russet potatoes for air frying

Ingredients

To prepare russet potatoes for air frying, you will need the following ingredients:

• Russet potatoes (same size for even cooking)
• Oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray)
• Salt (fine sea salt or regular salt)
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Potatoes

Start by scrubbing the potatoes clean under running water, then drying them thoroughly. Poke the potatoes all over with a fork to prevent them from bursting in the air fryer.

Step 2: Season the Potatoes

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and drizzle them with oil and salt. Rub the oil on the potatoes to ensure all sides are coated. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning.

Step 3: Air Fry the Potatoes

Cook the potatoes in a basket-style air fryer at 400°F for about 30 minutes. Flip the potatoes and cook for an additional 5-15 minutes, depending on their size. The potatoes are done when a knife can easily pierce through the center. For a toaster-style air fryer, reduce the temperature to about 375°F, flipping halfway, and keep the timing the same.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure there is enough space for the air to circulate and for the potato skins to crisp up.
• You can also cut the potatoes into chunks or cubes before air frying for a quicker cooking time.
• For an extra crispy skin, brush the potatoes with oil and season before cooking.

The ideal temperature and time for air frying

Air fryers are a great way to cook potatoes, offering quicker and crispier results than traditional ovens. The ideal temperature and time for air frying potatoes depend on several factors, including the type of potato, the size of the potato, and the desired level of crispiness.

Most recipes recommend setting your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures that the potatoes cook through evenly and achieve a desirable crispy texture. At this temperature, small potatoes will take around 20-30 minutes to cook, while larger potatoes may take up to 50 minutes. It's important to note that cook times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the number of potatoes being cooked simultaneously.

For example, when cooking medium-sized russet potatoes, it's recommended to cook them at 400°F for 30 minutes, flip them, and then cook for an additional 20-25 minutes. This timing ensures that the potatoes are tender and fully cooked. If you're cooking smaller potatoes, you may only need to cook them for a total of 40-45 minutes.

To achieve the perfect level of crispiness, it's crucial not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leaving space between each potato allows the hot air to circulate evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Additionally, piercing the potatoes with a fork before cooking can help prevent them from splitting or bursting during the cooking process.

When cooking potatoes in an air fryer, it's also important to consider the type of potato. Russet potatoes are a popular choice due to their fluffy texture and delicious crispy skin. However, other varieties such as sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes, or gold potatoes can also be used and may require adjustments to the cooking time.

In conclusion, the ideal temperature for air frying potatoes is around 400°F, and the cooking time will depend on the size and type of potato. By following the recommended timings and ensuring proper air circulation, you can achieve perfectly cooked potatoes with a crispy exterior and tender interior.

How to get crispy skin

There are a few key steps to ensuring your potatoes come out of the air fryer with crispy skin. Firstly, it's important to clean and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Give them a good scrub under running water, then pat them dry with a towel. This will help the skin to crisp up during cooking, rather than steaming.

Next, you'll want to add some kind of oil or cooking spray. Avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil are all good options, as is a simple cooking spray. Give the potatoes a light coat, then rotate them to ensure all sides are covered. This will help to crisp up the skin and also help any seasonings you add to stick to the potatoes.

Speaking of seasonings, salt is a must for adding flavour and texture to the skin. Sea salt or kosher salt are good options, but you can use whatever you have to hand. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or even a little Cajun spice if you like it hot. Give the potatoes a generous sprinkle, then use your hands to ensure they are evenly coated.

Now your potatoes are ready for the air fryer. Place them in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between each one. Overcrowding the basket will prevent the skin from crisping up, so cook in batches if you need to. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for around 30 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and cook for another 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and a knife can be easily inserted into the centre.

And that's it! Perfectly crispy-skinned potatoes, with a fluffy middle, cooked in half the time it would take in an oven.

How to check if the potatoes are done

To check if your potatoes are done, there are a few simple methods you can use. Firstly, you can try inserting a paring knife into the centre of the potato. If the knife slides in easily, your potato is cooked through. Alternatively, you can pinch the sides of the potato to see if it's cooked. If the potato feels soft, it's likely done. For air fryer potatoes, it's also important to ensure that the outside is crispy and golden, and the inside is tender. This should take around 10 minutes in the air fryer, but it's a good idea to check on your potatoes regularly to prevent overcooking or burning.

What to serve with air-fried potatoes

Air-fried potatoes make a great side dish and can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas on what to serve with air-fried potatoes:

For a Weeknight Dinner

You can pair air-fried potatoes with any simply cooked protein and a green salad. They also go well with black bean burgers or veggie burgers.

For a Hearty Meal

Air-fried potatoes can be served as a hearty side to steak or chicken dinners. They can also be paired with pan-seared steak, creamy Tuscan chicken, or juicy pork tenderloin.

For a Holiday Menu

Air-fried potatoes can be added to a holiday menu with classic dishes like stuffing and green bean casserole. They can also be served with a juicy roast turkey.

For a Light Lunch

Serve air-fried potatoes with a bowl of butternut squash soup or broccoli cheddar soup. They can also be paired with a quiche or frittata.

For Breakfast

Air-fried potatoes are a versatile breakfast option. They can be added to breakfast tacos or burritos, or served with eggs and bacon.

As an Appetizer

Air-fried potatoes can be served as an appetizer with a dip, such as whipped feta.

Cooking Time for Russet Potatoes in an Air Fryer

When it comes to cooking time, it depends on the size of the potatoes. For medium-sized russet potatoes (about 12 ounces each), it takes 50 to 55 minutes to cook three of them in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For smaller potatoes (about 8 ounces each), it takes about 45 to 50 minutes at the same temperature. If you are cooking only one potato at a time, start checking for doneness about 10 minutes earlier than the recommended cooking time.

Frequently asked questions