Air Fryer Potato Skins: Friday's Favorite Snack

If you're looking for a quick and easy snack or appetizer, look no further than air fryer potato skins. This delicious treat can be made in under 10 minutes and is perfect for game day, a party, or whenever you crave something savoury. You can use frozen potato skins, which can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores, or make your own using cooked potatoes. Load them up with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions for a crowd-pleasing favourite.

Choosing the right potatoes

Variety: Russet potatoes are a popular choice for potato skins due to their large size and fluffy texture. However, you can also use other varieties such as Yukon Gold or Red potatoes. Just ensure they are large enough to scoop out and stuff.

Size: Look for potatoes that are evenly shaped and large in size. This will ensure you have enough space to fill them with your favourite toppings. Avoid small or oddly shaped potatoes as they can be tricky to work with.

Texture: For potato skins, you want a potato that has a fluffy and starchy texture when cooked. This will make it easier to scoop out the flesh and create a nice base for your toppings. Avoid waxy potatoes as they tend to hold their shape and are not as fluffy.

Freshness: Always choose firm and fresh potatoes. Avoid those that have sprouted, have soft spots, or feel lightweight for their size as these may not cook evenly. Check the packaging dates when buying bagged potatoes to ensure they are within their prime.

Preparation: If you are preparing the potatoes yourself, make sure to scrub them clean and dry them thoroughly before baking. You can also poke a few holes in the potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape during the baking process.

Cooking method: Baking the potatoes is a great way to prepare them for potato skins. You can bake them in the oven or use your air fryer. Just ensure they are fully cooked and slightly crispy on the outside before scooping out the flesh.

Remember, the key to choosing the right potatoes for potato skins is to select a variety that is large, starchy, and easy to scoop out once cooked. With the right potatoes and your air fryer, you'll be on your way to creating delicious and crispy potato skins!

Preparing the potatoes

If you choose to bake the potatoes, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork and rub them with olive oil. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-55 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.

Alternatively, you can cook the potatoes in the air fryer. First, poke holes in the potatoes with a fork and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (204°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.

Once the potatoes are cooked, cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out some of the potato flesh, being careful not to take out too much, as you still want to eat the potato. Drizzle olive oil over the flesh and brush it around to coat the inside of the potatoes. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the potato skins, and add a dash of ranch dressing seasoning if desired.

Now you are ready to add your toppings and cook the potato skins in the air fryer!

Cooking the skins

To make Friday's potato skins in an air fryer, you'll first need to cook your potatoes. You can bake them in the oven, or cook them in the air fryer itself. If you're using the air fryer, rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then cook at 400°F for around an hour, depending on their size.

Once your potatoes are cooked, cut them in half and gently scoop out the insides, leaving enough potato so that you can still eat the skin. Drizzle the insides with olive oil and brush it around to coat the entire surface. You can also sprinkle with salt and pepper, and ranch dressing seasoning, if desired.

Place the potato skins in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook for 5 minutes at 400°F. After 5 minutes, add cheese and bacon crumbles to the inside of the potato skins, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Remove the potato skins from the air fryer and top with sour cream and green onions. You could also add jalapeños, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, awesome sauce, blue cheese crumbles, or any other toppings of your choice!

Adding toppings

Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other varieties like mozzarella, pepper jack, or Colby jack. You can even use plant-based cheese to make it vegetarian or vegan-friendly. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the potato skins and let it melt to perfection.

Bacon

Crispy bacon bits or crumbles add a smoky, salty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the potato and cheese. You can use regular bacon or turkey bacon bits for a lighter option. If your frozen potato skins don't come with bacon, simply sprinkle some chopped cooked bacon on top after air frying.

Sour Cream

A dollop of sour cream provides a cool and tangy contrast to the richness of the cheese and bacon. It's a traditional topping for potato skins and can be added just before serving.

Green Onions

Chopped green onions add a fresh and slightly sharp onion flavor to your potato skins. They also provide a pop of color, making your snack look even more appetizing.

Chives

Finely chopped fresh chives are another traditional garnish for potato skins. They add a mild onion flavor and a bright touch to your dish.

Jalapeño Slices

If you like a little spice, add some sliced jalapeños to your potato skins. They will give your snack a nice kick and complement the other flavors well.

Ranch Dressing

Drizzling ranch dressing over your potato skins adds extra flavor and moisture. It's a simple way to take your potato skins to the next level.

Other Toppings

Feel free to get creative with your toppings! You can add diced tomatoes, guacamole, buffalo sauce, awesome sauce, blue cheese crumbles, or even a cheesy sauce. Load up your potato skins with shredded buffalo chicken or a healthy Southwestern vegetable mix. The possibilities are endless!

Serving suggestions

These potato skins are a great option for a quick and easy snack or appetizer, perfect for game day, a party, or a crowd-pleasing side dish. They can be served as a tasty treat on their own, or you can get creative with toppings and sides.

For a classic take on potato skins, top them with shredded cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack, and crispy bacon bits or crumbles. For a vegetarian option, skip the bacon and add peppers, onions, or other veggies of your choice.

To take your potato skins to the next level, serve them with a variety of toppings and garnishes on the side, allowing your guests to customise their own. Some topping options include:

• Sour cream
• Chives, freshly chopped
• Green onions, sliced
• Jalapeño slices, for a spicy kick
• Ranch dressing
• Guacamole
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced jalapenos

For an extra indulgent treat, serve your potato skins with a side of dipping sauces, such as:

• Ranch dressing
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Barbecue sauce
• Hot sauce
• Aioli

These potato skins are best served hot and crispy straight from the air fryer, so be sure to cook them in batches if you're making a large quantity, and enjoy that freshly cooked crunch!

Frequently asked questions