Air Fryer Baked Potato: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Baked potatoes are a great side dish, but cooking them in an oven can be time-consuming and energy-intensive. Fortunately, air fryers offer a quicker and more energy-efficient alternative for achieving a similar crispy skin and fluffy centre.

Choosing the right potato

When it comes to choosing the right potato for your air fryer baked potatoes, there are a few key factors to consider. The type of potato you select will depend on the desired texture, taste, and cooking time. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect potato for your air-fried feast:

Starch Content and Texture:

• For a classic baked potato with a fluffy centre and crispy skin, opt for a potato that is low in moisture and high in starch. Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are the ideal choice and the most commonly used variety for baking. Their high starch content gives them a fluffy and dry texture, perfect for soaking up butter and gravy, and other toppings.
• If you're looking for a denser option that holds its shape better, choose potatoes with waxy skin, such as red-skinned potatoes or Yukon Golds. These potatoes have a buttery and rich flavour but won't give you the same fluffy texture as Russets.
• Sweet potatoes are also a great alternative, offering a different flavour profile and nutritional benefits. When selecting sweet potatoes, try to choose ones that are similar in size and shape to ensure even cooking.

Potato Size:

The size of the potato will impact the cooking time. Smaller potatoes, such as red potatoes, will cook faster and may require less time in the air fryer. Larger potatoes may need a longer cooking time, and you can even give them a head start by microwaving them for a few minutes before placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking Technique:

• If you're planning to boil or mash your potatoes, Russet, long white, or yellow potatoes are good choices. These varieties have a higher starch content and will give you a fluffier texture.
• For roasting, Yukon Gold potatoes are a great option as they have a balance of starchiness and waxiness, resulting in tender pieces with a delicate crust.
• If you're making a potato salad, thin-skinned red potatoes or yellow potatoes are ideal as they hold their shape well and have a waxy texture.

Personal Preference:

While certain potatoes are better suited for specific dishes, don't be afraid to experiment and use your preferred variety. For example, you might prefer the way a starchy potato soaks up the dressing in a potato salad or how it adds thickness to a soup.

By considering the starch content, texture, size, and your intended cooking technique, you can choose the right potato for your air fryer baked potatoes. Whether you opt for Russets, Yukon Golds, sweet potatoes, or another variety, you can create delicious and crispy spuds with fluffy insides that are perfect for any meal.

Preparing the potato

Next, pierce the potatoes with a fork or knife. This is an important step to allow steam to escape during the cooking process and prevent the potatoes from bursting. You can also use a fork to poke a few holes in the potatoes before cooking, which will help them cook evenly.

Then, it's time to season your potatoes. Drizzle or brush olive oil over the potatoes, making sure to coat all sides. You can also use other types of oil, such as avocado oil, coconut oil, or cooking spray. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt, which will help the skins crisp up, and other seasonings like black pepper, garlic powder, and dried parsley to taste. You can also use sea salt and rub the oil into the skins for extra crispy flavour.

Finally, place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one to ensure even cooking and crisping. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, and you're ready to start cooking!

Cooking temperature and duration

The cooking temperature and duration for air fryer baked potatoes vary depending on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer. For example, a large baked potato will take longer to cook than a small one. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on the potatoes while they are cooking and adjust the timing accordingly.

Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some air fryers may not require preheating. It is best to check the instructions for your specific air fryer model.

Once the air fryer is preheated, the cooking time for baked potatoes can range from 35 to 55 minutes. For example, one recipe suggests cooking medium-sized russet potatoes (about 12 ounces each) for 50 to 55 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, smaller potatoes (about 8 ounces each) will take less time, around 45 to 50 minutes at the same temperature.

It is important to note that if you are cooking only one potato at a time, you should start checking for doneness about 10 minutes earlier than the recommended cooking time. This is because a single potato will cook faster than multiple potatoes.

Additionally, it is recommended to flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. You can check if the potatoes are done by inserting a knife or a fork into the center of the potato. If it goes in easily, the potato is ready.

Potato toppings

Now for the fun part: toppings! The beauty of a baked potato is that it's a blank slate, so you can top it with almost anything. Here are some ideas for potato toppings to get you started:

BBQ

• BBQ sauce
• Pulled pork or chicken
• Cheddar cheese
• Green onions

Butter

• Butter, ghee, or coconut oil
• Salt and pepper

Loaded Potatoes

• Butter
• Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Chopped bacon
• Chives

Stuffed Potatoes

• Turkey chilli
• Philly cheesesteak
• Chicken enchilada

New York Bagel

• Smoked salmon
• Green onions
• Capers
• Dill
• Sour cream or cream cheese

Tex Mex

• Guacamole
• Pico de gallo
• Sour cream
• Cheese
• Crushed tortilla chips
• Mexican chorizo

Classic

• Sour cream
• Bacon
• Cheddar cheese
• Green onions
• Black pepper

Potato sides

There are many ways to top a baked potato, and here are some ideas for you to try.

BBQ

Try a BBQ sauce with pulled pork or chicken, cheddar cheese, and green onions.

Butter

Keep it simple with butter, ghee, or coconut oil, and finish with salt and pepper.

Loaded Potatoes

For a real treat, add butter, cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped bacon, and chives.

Stuffed Potatoes

You could also try stuffed potatoes with fillings such as turkey chilli, Philly cheesesteak, or chicken enchilada.

Vegan

For a vegan option, top with vegan sour cream, or Greek yogurt, and finish with chopped fresh herbs like chives or dill.

Classic

For a classic jacket potato, add butter, salt, and pepper, or try sour cream and chives.

Other Ideas

Other topping ideas include shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled feta, chopped green onions, or even baked beans, tuna mayonnaise, or cashew cream.

Frequently asked questions