Perfectly Crispy Baked Potatoes In The Vortex Air Fryer

Baked potatoes are a versatile dish that can be made in an air fryer, such as the Instant Vortex Air Fryer, for a quick and easy side or main course. The air fryer's rapid air technology ensures that your potatoes are cooked to perfection, with a crispy, golden skin and a fluffy, tender interior. By following a few simple steps, you can make delicious baked potatoes that will leave you wondering why you ever used your oven before.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

Russet potatoes are the classic choice for baked potatoes due to their high starch content, which results in a fluffy texture. Their sturdy skin also makes them ideal for potato skins. However, you can also use other varieties such as Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes, depending on your preference. Yukon Gold potatoes will give you a creamier middle, while sweet potatoes offer a unique flavour and nutritional profile.

Size and Shape

Aim for medium to large-sized potatoes that are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking. A long, narrow potato is preferable, as it will cook faster and more evenly than a wider one. If you're short on time, smaller potatoes are your best bet as they'll cook quicker.

Quality

When selecting your potatoes, look for those that are firm and free from any blemishes or green spots. Gently squeeze the potatoes to ensure they are firm and not too soft. Avoid potatoes with wrinkles or sprouting eyes, as these are signs of ageing.

Starch Content

For baked potatoes, you generally want to choose potatoes with a higher starch content. These potatoes will yield a fluffier texture once baked. Russet potatoes, for example, are known for their high starch content, which is why they are the go-to choice for baked potatoes.

Preparation

Before cooking, give your potatoes a good wash under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Use a scrub brush to gently clean the skin. Pat the potatoes dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess moisture. This drying step will help the potatoes crisp up during cooking.

Preparing the potatoes

Choosing the Right Potatoes

Select medium to large-sized Russet potatoes that are firm and free from blemishes or green spots. Russet potatoes are ideal for baking as they have a high starch content and a fluffy texture.

Washing and Drying the Potatoes

Rinse the potatoes under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Use a scrub brush to gently scrub the skin to ensure they are clean. Dry the potatoes with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the potatoes become crispier during cooking.

Poking Holes in the Potatoes

Use a fork to poke several holes all over each potato. This helps to create a ventilation system for steam to escape and prevents potato explosions.

Seasoning the Potatoes (Optional)

You can season the potatoes with salt, pepper, or your choice of herbs and spices. This step is optional but can add flavour to the potatoes. You can also rub the potatoes with olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter to prevent them from drying out and help crisp up the skins.

Preheating the Vortex Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes to ensure it is hot and ready to cook the potatoes.

Arranging the Potatoes in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the prepared potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to ensure even cooking. It is recommended to cook two to four potatoes at a time, depending on their size.

Cooking Time and Flipping

Cook the potatoes for 30 to 45 minutes for medium-sized potatoes, and 50 to 60 minutes for larger potatoes. You can flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time for an even crispier texture.

Checking for Doneness

Insert a fork into the centre of the potato to check if it is cooked. It should go in easily and the potatoes should feel soft. If not, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Serving

Allow the cooked potatoes to cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them as-is or add toppings such as butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, or bacon bits.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making baked potatoes in a vortex air fryer depend on the size of the potatoes and the desired level of crispiness. For medium-sized potatoes, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 40-45 minutes. For larger potatoes, increase the cooking time to 50-60 minutes. It is recommended to flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness.

The potatoes are done when they are easily pierced with a fork and have a soft texture. If the potatoes are not yet done after the initial cooking time, continue cooking in 5- to 10-minute intervals until they reach the desired level of doneness.

To achieve an extra crispy texture, you can also increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 30-35 minutes. This method will result in golden, crispy potato skins.

Additionally, the weight of the potato can be used to determine the cooking time. For potatoes weighing 8 oz or less, bake at 400°F for 45 minutes. For potatoes weighing 9-16 oz, bake at 400°F for 1 hour. For potatoes over 16 oz, bake at 400°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 207-211°F.

How to serve

Once your potatoes are cooked, there are endless ways to serve them! Here are some ideas:

Classic toppings

You can't go wrong with a pat of butter, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. This combination makes a great side dish to grilled chicken breast or blackened chicken tenders.

Loaded baked potato

Slice open your potatoes and fluff the insides with a fork. Top with butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Finish with a sprinkle of chives or green onions.

Tex-Mex style

Fill your potatoes with Mexican-inspired toppings, such as cooked ground beef or shredded chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and a drizzle of salsa or hot sauce. Sprinkle with shredded Mexican cheese and chopped cilantro.

Mediterranean delight

Combine feta cheese, chopped Kalamata olives, diced cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce or a lemon herb dressing, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint.

Healthy veggie option

Stuff your potato with a variety of sautéed or roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms. Add some baby spinach or arugula, and top with grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Buffalo chicken stuffed

Shred cooked chicken and mix with buffalo sauce or hot sauce. Stuff the potato with this mixture and top with blue cheese crumbles or ranch dressing. Garnish with chopped green onions or celery.

Caprese style

Fill your potato with diced fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and chopped basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze or Italian dressing, and season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.

Vegan delight

For a vegan option, fill your potato with cooked quinoa or lentils, sautéed veggies like onions, peppers, and mushrooms, and a generous dollop of hummus or vegan sour cream. Top with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.

Potato toppings

Once you've cooked your baked potatoes in the vortex air fryer, it's time to think about toppings. The options are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Toppings

A classic choice is to top your baked potato with butter, salt, and pepper. You can also add sour cream, cheddar cheese, and chives for a more indulgent option. For an extra kick of flavour, add some crispy bacon bits or crumbled bacon, and maybe some sliced green onions or chopped fresh chives.

Hearty Toppings

For a more filling option, why not try chilli, cheese, and onions, or even some leftover ground beef or chilli beef? You could also add some sliced or diced chicken, or go for a chicken fajita or chicken and hotsauce topping. For a vegetarian option, try sliced mushrooms, or a combination of broccoli, cheese sauce, and bacon.

Spicy Toppings

If you like a bit of spice, try a Tex Mex topping of guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and cheese, with some crushed tortilla chips for crunch. You could also add some hot sauce or salsa, or go for a spicy chorizo and bravas sauce combination.

Smoky Toppings

For a smoky flavour, top your potato with smoked salmon, sour cream or cream cheese, sliced green onions, capers, and dill.

Other Topping Ideas

Other toppings that can be used include Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, avocado, pulled pork, BBQ pulled chicken, black beans, salsa, pesto, French onions, refried beans, Bolognese, parmesan, and tomato paste.

So, there you have it! Whether you're a fan of the classic combination or something a little more adventurous, there's a baked potato topping to suit every taste.

Frequently asked questions