Tiffany Haney
Twice-baked potatoes are a delicious and easy-to-make side dish or light meal that can be made in an air fryer. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a creamy and cheesy filling. This recipe is perfect for a holiday dinner or a busy weeknight meal, as it is quick and simple to prepare. The key to success is to use russet potatoes, as their thicker skin is necessary for this recipe. The potatoes are filled with mashed potatoes, sour cream, butter, cheese, and bacon, and then cooked in the air fryer for a perfect, crispy finish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Side dish or light meal |
| Texture | Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside |
| Ingredients | Potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, sour cream, butter, milk, green onions, cheddar cheese, bacon, chives |
| Tools | Air fryer, fork, spoon, tongs, large mixing bowl, potato masher or fork, hand mixer |
| Cooking Time | 35-45 minutes at 400° Fahrenheit for the first bake; 5 minutes at 400° Fahrenheit for the second bake |
| Storage | Can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the potatoes
Next, use a fork to prick or pierce each potato about 10 to 12 times. This step ensures that the potatoes cook evenly and prevents them from bursting in the air fryer. After pricking, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and coat them with oil or cooking spray. You can also sprinkle the potatoes with salt and pepper to enhance their flavour.
Now, it's time to cook the potatoes in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400° Fahrenheit and cook the potatoes for 35 to 45 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook. Aim for a temperature range of 190° to 200° Fahrenheit in the centre of the potatoes. You can use a food thermometer to check the doneness.
Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes until they are safe to handle. This cooling step is important as it makes the potatoes easier to handle and helps prevent burns. After they have cooled down, cut each potato in half lengthwise.
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Cooking the potatoes
Wash and scrub the potatoes, then pat them dry with a paper towel. Using a fork, pierce each potato about 10 to 12 times. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and gently brush with olive oil to coat the outer skin. You can also drizzle oil over the potatoes and rub it in. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return the basket to the air fryer and air fry at 400° Fahrenheit for 35 to 45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
Once the potatoes are done cooking, place them on a cutting board and cut each potato lengthwise in half. Use a large spoon or scoop to gently remove the baked potato filling out of each potato half. Leave about a quarter of an inch of the potato in the potato skin to provide support and prevent tearing. Transfer the potato filling to a medium bowl and use a hand mixer or large fork to mix until it is like mashed potato.
Add in the sour cream, butter, milk, green onions, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add shredded cheese to the bowl and stir together until well mixed. Scoop the potato mixture back into the potato skins and top with cheese. Place the potatoes back into the air fryer basket and cook at 350° Fahrenheit for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
You can also add toppings such as chopped bacon and chives, or other mix-ins like chopped jalapeños, bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions.
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Preparing the filling
Start by scrubbing the potatoes clean under running water. Dry them with a clean towel. Poke holes in the potatoes using a fork. This step is important as it allows steam to escape while the potatoes are baking. Drizzle some olive oil over the potatoes and rub to coat them evenly. Sprinkle some salt over the potatoes and rub again to ensure an even coating. Place the potatoes directly on the air fryer rack or basket. You can also place them on a piece of aluminium foil, but this may increase the cooking time slightly.
Bake the potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn the potatoes over and continue baking for another 25–30 minutes, or until they are soft and fully cooked. Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool down until they are cool enough to handle. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the insides of the potatoes into a bowl, leaving enough potato flesh attached to the skin to maintain the structure of the skin. At this point, you should have a bowl of scooped-out potato flesh and four potato skins.
Now it's time to prepare the filling. You can get creative here and add your favourite ingredients. A classic option is to mash the potato flesh with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. You can also add sour cream, cheese, bacon, green onions, or chives for extra flavour. If you want a smoother filling, you can use a potato ricer or food mill to ensure a lump-free mash. Feel free to adjust the amounts of butter, milk, and seasonings to suit your taste preferences. You can also add ingredients like sautéed onions, garlic, or herbs for additional flavour. Simply mix your desired ingredients into the mashed potato mixture until well combined.
Once your filling is ready, it's time to fill the potato skins. Spoon the filling into the potato skins, making sure to fill them generously. You can also sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the filling for an extra indulgent touch. Finally, place the filled potatoes back into the air fryer and cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 5–10 minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted.
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Filling the potatoes
After the potatoes have been air-fried, cooled, and sliced, it's time to fill them with delicious ingredients!
First, scoop out the insides of the potatoes into a bowl, leaving about a quarter of an inch of potato attached to the skins to support the filling and prevent tearing. Then, add your desired fillings to the bowl. A classic combination includes sour cream, butter, milk, green onions, salt, pepper, and cheddar cheese. However, you can also add ingredients like Greek yogurt, fresh parsley, garlic, or ranch seasoning. If you're a bacon lover, cook and chop up some bacon bits to include as well.
Once you've added your desired fillings, use a masher or fork to mash the potatoes until they reach a creamy texture. You can also use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients together. If you're a cheese enthusiast, you might want to save some shredded cheddar or other cheeses to sprinkle on top of the potatoes before the final fry.
Now, it's time to fill the potato skins. Scoop the creamy, cheesy mixture back into the potato skins until each one is filled. Be careful not to overfill or stack the potatoes in the air fryer basket, as proper air circulation is essential for even cooking.
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Reheating the potatoes
If you have any leftover twice-baked potatoes, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also add some extra cheese and toppings if you like!
You can also freeze twice-baked potatoes for up to 3 months. To do this, wrap the cooked potatoes tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw and then reheat them in the air fryer as instructed above.
If you're reheating larger potatoes, you may need to increase the reheating time in the air fryer. Additionally, if your potatoes are not heated through after the suggested time, you can pop them back in the air fryer for an extra 5-10 minutes.
Twice-baked potatoes are a great make-ahead option for busy weeknights or holiday meals. They can be easily prepared ahead of time and reheated in the air fryer, saving time and effort during dinner preparation.
Remember, cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on your potatoes to ensure they are heated through and enjoy your delicious, creamy, and cheesy side dish!
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