Ella Walter
Baked potatoes are a classic comfort food and a favourite side dish for many. Cooking them in an air fryer is a convenient, quick, and easy way to prepare them, without having to heat up your oven. The air fryer produces a crispy skin and a fluffy inside, and you can top your potatoes with almost anything, from butter, salt, and pepper, to Greek yoghurt and chives, or even BBQ sauce and pulled pork.
How to cook baked potatoes in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of potato | Russet potatoes |
| Potato preparation | Prick with a fork, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt |
| Air fryer temperature | 400°F (205°C) |
| Cooking time | 35-50 minutes |
| Toppings | Butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, chives, salt, pepper |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Oven-baked potatoes vs air fryer: which is better?
Baked potatoes are a versatile dish, acting as a satisfying side or a main course. The ideal baked potato has a fluffy middle and a nicely seasoned, crispy outer skin. While there are many ways to cook a baked potato, using an oven or an air fryer are two of the most common methods.
Oven-baked potatoes
Oven-baked potatoes are a classic for a reason. They deliver a potato with a brown and crispy exterior, coated in a crust of sea salt. The insides are soft and fluffy, and the cooking time depends on the size of the potato. The larger the potato, the longer it takes to bake. The oven needs to be preheated to between 350°F and 425°F, and the potato is baked for 45 to 60 minutes. Before baking, the potatoes are poked with a fork several times to create small holes across their surfaces, which allow moisture to escape while the potato cooks. They are then coated in olive oil and seasoned with salt.
Air-fried potatoes
Air fryers offer a faster and more convenient option for cooking baked potatoes, with no need to preheat the appliance. The cooking time is similar to that of an oven, at around 45 minutes, but the preheating time for an air fryer is much shorter, at around 3 minutes, compared to 10-20 minutes for an oven. Air-fried potatoes also have a crispy skin and a fluffy interior, and the cooking process is simple and foolproof. Before cooking, the potatoes are pierced with a fork and seasoned with oil and salt.
So, which is better?
While the cooking time for a baked potato is similar for both methods, the air fryer is a clear winner in terms of convenience and simplicity. It requires less preparation and has a shorter preheating time, making it a more energy-efficient option. The air fryer also produces a potato with a great shape, texture, and taste, with a classic crispy skin and a fluffy interior. However, some people may prefer the traditional taste of an oven-baked potato, which has a more classic interior texture. Ultimately, both methods deliver delicious results, so it comes down to personal preference and how much time you want to spend preparing and cooking.
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How to get crispy skin
To get crispy skin on your baked potatoes when using an air fryer, there are several steps you can follow. Firstly, it is important to prepare the potatoes correctly. Wash and scrub the potatoes, and then dry them. Prick the potatoes with a fork or poke holes in them, as this will help the hot air circulate around the entire potato. Next, coat the potatoes with oil. You can use any type of cooking oil spray or olive oil, and make sure to cover all sides of the potato. You can also add seasonings at this stage, such as salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, or Italian seasoning. The oil and seasonings will help to crisp up the skin and enhance the flavour.
Once the potatoes are prepared, it is important to place them correctly in the air fryer. Make sure they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other, with at least an inch of space between each potato. This will allow the hot air to circulate evenly and ensure that the skin crisps up on all sides. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to preheat it first, and then place the potatoes in the basket and set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes, but on average, it should take around 30 to 50 minutes for the potatoes to be fully cooked and the skin to be crispy.
During the cooking process, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the potatoes and rotate them if needed. After about 25 to 30 minutes, check on the potatoes and use tongs to carefully flip them over if they are starting to brown on top. This will help ensure even cooking and browning. Once the potatoes are fork-tender and the skin is crispy, they are ready to be removed from the air fryer. Serve them with your desired toppings, such as butter, sour cream, chives, or additional salt and pepper.
It is important to note that the exact cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your specific air fryer and the size of your potatoes. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on the potatoes during the cooking process to ensure they don't overcook or burn. Additionally, avoid wrapping the potatoes in foil, as this can make the skin soggy. By following these steps and adjusting the timing as needed for your air fryer, you should be able to achieve crispy-skinned baked potatoes with fluffy insides.
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The best type of potatoes to use
When using russet potatoes, it is important to first scrub them well and pat them dry. Then, prick them a few times with a fork to create small holes across their surfaces. This allows steam to escape so your potato doesn't burst open in the oven. Next, season the potatoes. Place them on a baking sheet and rub them all over with olive oil. Sprinkle them liberally with sea or kosher salt, and transfer them to the hot oven to bake.
The ideal baking time and temperature for russet potatoes in an oven fryer is 45 to 55 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For smaller potatoes, the baking time can be reduced to 45 to 50 minutes. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes. You will know the potatoes are done when they are easily pierceable with a fork and have a crispy skin.
While russet potatoes are recommended for their fluffy texture and crispy skin, other types of potatoes can also be used. However, the cooking time and temperature may need to be adjusted accordingly to achieve the desired results.
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How long to cook for
The cooking time for baked potatoes in an air fryer will depend on the size and thickness of the potatoes, as well as the desired crispiness. It is recommended to cook the potatoes at 400˚F or 375°F in a toaster-style air fryer (as it runs hotter) for 35 to 50 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You can also check if the potatoes are done by doing a poke test with a knife or fork—the potatoes are ready when they can be easily pierced with little to no resistance. If your potatoes are not done after the recommended time, you can return them to the air fryer and cook them for an additional 3 to 5 minutes at a time until they are done to your liking.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potato and the air fryer machine being used. Smaller potatoes will generally take less time to cook, while larger and thicker potatoes will take longer. Additionally, if you prefer your potatoes to have a super crisp shell, you may need to cook them for closer to an hour.
To achieve the desired crispiness, it is recommended to pierce the potatoes with a fork or knife several times before cooking to allow steam to escape. This step also helps to ensure that the potatoes don't burst while cooking. After piercing the potatoes, you can rub or spray them with oil and sprinkle them with salt to enhance the crispiness and flavor.
The air fryer is a convenient and efficient way to cook baked potatoes, as it cuts the cooking time in half compared to a conventional oven and provides super crispy results. Additionally, there is no need to preheat the air fryer, saving even more time and energy.
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What temperature to cook at
The ideal temperature for cooking baked potatoes in an air fryer is 400˚F or 205°C. This temperature is high enough to guarantee crispy skin, and it cooks the potato evenly. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the potatoes, but it usually takes around 35-45 minutes, or until a knife can be inserted into the center of the potato with ease. For toaster-style air fryers, you should cook at 375°F as they tend to run a little hotter.
It is not necessary to preheat the air fryer, as this makes no difference to the final texture or cooking time. However, if you are reheating cooked potatoes, you can cook them at 400˚F until they are heated through.
The internal temperature of the potato should reach 205˚F to 210˚F when it is done. You can use an oven mitt to squeeze the potato gently; it should give slightly when it is ready.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 35 to 50 minutes to cook baked potatoes in an air fryer. The timing depends on the size and thickness of the potatoes.
First, clean the potatoes with a brush and water and then dry them. Next, prick the potatoes with a fork or knife to allow steam to escape while cooking. Then, rub or spray the potatoes with oil and sprinkle them with salt.
It is recommended to cook the potatoes at 400°F (205°C) until the skin is crispy and a knife inserted into the center of the potatoes meets little to no resistance.
