Air-Fried Double Baked Potatoes: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Twice-baked potatoes are a delicious, hearty 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, cheesy filling. This recipe is perfect for those who want a quick, easy, and fancy-looking dish to accompany their meal. The potatoes can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as sour cream, butter, cheese, bacon, and chives, and are cooked in two stages in the air fryer.

Potato preparation

To make double-baked potatoes in an air fryer, start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are recommended due to their thick skin, which provides a solid base to hold the filling. Their starchy filling also contributes to a wonderfully fluffy texture.

Wash the potatoes and scrub them thoroughly. Poke holes all over each potato with a fork, piercing about 10 to 12 times. This helps the heat penetrate the potatoes and ensures even cooking.

Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel. Drizzle or brush olive oil over the potatoes, coating the outer skin. This step is important as it helps the seasoning stick to the potatoes and also contributes to a crispy skin. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the potatoes, and you can also add other seasonings like seasoned salt or garlic powder.

Place the seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to cook multiple potatoes at once, but ensure they are not overcrowded. Air fry at 400°F for 35 to 45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.

Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. When they are cool enough to handle, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or scoop to gently remove the baked potato filling, leaving about a quarter of an inch of potato attached to the skin to provide support and prevent tearing.

Filling preparation

Ingredients

To prepare the filling for double-baked potatoes in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Baked potatoes
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Swiss, or Parmesan)
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: bacon bits, chives, jalapeños, red pepper flakes, caramelized onions, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, ranch dressing, etc.

Steps

• After baking the potatoes, let them cool down for a few minutes.
• Cut each potato in half and scoop out most of the insides into a bowl, leaving about a quarter of an inch of potato in the skin to create a shell for the filling.
• Add butter, sour cream, and cheese to the bowl with the scooped-out potato.
• Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the ingredients together until they reach a creamy and smooth texture. Avoid using a mixer as it can make the filling mushy. It's okay to have a few lumps!
• For added flavour, you can cook bacon and onion in a skillet and mix them into the mashed potatoes.
• Once the filling is ready, spoon it back into the potato shells, mounding it if necessary.

Filling the potatoes

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Skins

After cooking the potatoes in the air fryer, allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then, cut each potato in half and scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about a quarter of an inch of potato attached to the skin. This will create a nice, crispy shell for your filling. Set the potato skins aside and place the scooped-out potato flesh in a bowl.

Step 2: Make the Filling

To the bowl of potato flesh, add butter, sour cream, milk (optional), and your desired mix-ins. Common mix-ins include shredded cheddar cheese, chives or green onions, bacon bits, and seasonings like salt and pepper. You can also add jalapeños, red pepper flakes, caramelized onions, garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder for extra flavour. Using a masher or fork, mash the potatoes and mix everything together until you achieve a creamy texture. Feel free to adjust the consistency by adding more milk or sour cream if needed.

Step 3: Fill the Potato Skins

Once your filling is ready, it's time to fill the potato skins. Spoon the filling back into the potato shells, mounding it if necessary. You can also top the potatoes with additional cheese and bacon bits at this point if you want an extra indulgent dish.

Step 4: Air Fry Again

Place the filled potatoes back into the air fryer basket, being careful not to stack or overlap them. Air fry at 350°F for about 5 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Tips for Filling the Potatoes:

• Use russet potatoes or similar varieties with thick skins. The thick skin provides a solid base to hold the filling, and the starchy filling of russet potatoes makes for a fluffy texture.
• Don't overfill the potato skins. Leave some space for the filling to expand during the final cooking step.
• Get creative with your mix-ins! You can add almost anything to your potato filling, from different types of cheese and meats to vegetables and seasonings.
• If you want a smoother filling, use a mixer instead of a potato masher. However, be careful not to overmix, as this can make the filling gummy instead of fluffy.

Air-frying the potatoes

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

First, scrub the potatoes and pat them dry. Then, using a fork, pierce each potato about 10–12 times. Drizzle or brush olive oil over the potatoes, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Step 2: First Round of Air Frying

Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F for 35–45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. The time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes and your air fryer, so keep an eye on them.

Step 3: Cool and Scoop

Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. When they are cool enough to handle, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or scoop to gently remove the baked potato filling, leaving about a quarter of an inch of potato attached to the skin to provide support and prevent tearing.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

In a bowl, mix the scooped-out potato filling with your desired mix-ins. Common mix-ins include butter, sour cream, milk, shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss), chives or green onions, and bacon bits. You can also add jalapeños, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spices like garlic powder and paprika for extra flavour. Use a hand mixer or a large fork to mix everything together until it reaches a creamy, mashed potato consistency.

Step 5: Second Round of Air Frying

Scoop the filling mixture back into the potato skins, mounding it if necessary. Return the filled potatoes to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked or overlapped. Air fry at 400°F for about 5–10 minutes to heat the shells and melt the cheese. Again, the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.

Step 6: Serve

Carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer, as the basket will be hot. Twice-baked potatoes are now ready to be served! You can garnish them with additional cheese, bacon, or chives if desired.

Serving suggestions

Twice-baked potatoes are a great side dish for a range of meals, from a holiday dinner to a busy weeknight supper. They can be served with a variety of main courses, including:

• Filet mignon steak
• Salmon
• Poultry
• Turkey corn chowder
• Southwestern grilled chicken salad
• Meatloaf
• Steak kabobs
• Chicken

They can also be served as a light meal in themselves.

If you want to make your twice-baked potatoes even more decadent, you can add some additional toppings. Some suggestions include:

• Pulled pork
• Brisket
• Onions
• Beans
• Chili

Frequently asked questions