Air Fryer Frozen Potato Skins: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making frozen potato skins in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious appetizer. This cooking method yields a crispy texture on the outside and a fluffy, gooey inside. It is also healthier than deep-frying or oven-baking, as the air fryer uses less oil while still achieving that desirable crunchy finish. Preparing frozen potato skins in an air fryer is simple: preheat the air fryer, arrange the frozen potato skins in a single layer, air fry for 10-15 minutes, and serve with your favourite toppings.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is crucial for even cooking and achieving a crispy exterior when making frozen potato skins. Here is a detailed guide on how to preheat your air fryer and some important considerations:

• If your air fryer doesn't have a built-in preheat functionality, you should preheat it manually. Some air fryers, like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Cosori, preheat automatically before starting the countdown.
• Preheat your air fryer to around 360-400°F (180-200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so refer to your user manual for specific instructions.
• Place the empty air fryer basket inside the air fryer during preheating. This ensures the basket is heated evenly, preventing the potato skins from sticking and promoting uniform cooking.
• If you're using an air fryer oven, select the "Air Fry" function and place the potato skins on the middle rack for optimal results.
• Preheating the air fryer is especially important if you want your potato skins to have a delightful crispy texture on the outside while remaining fluffy and warm on the inside.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Place the frozen potato skins in a single layer, allowing adequate space between them for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may fit around 5-6 potato skins at once. If you need to cook more, work in batches.
• Don't thaw the frozen potato skins before placing them in the air fryer. Cooking them straight from the freezer yields the best texture, with a crispy exterior and a warm, gooey centre. Thawing them beforehand might make them soggy.
• If your potato skins have overflowing fillings, open the air fryer after about 4 minutes and use a spoon to scoop the fillings back into the potato skin carefully. This will help you achieve a neater appearance.
• Every air fryer is unique, so monitor the cooking process closely, especially during the final minutes. Adjust the cooking time as needed to prevent overcooking or burning.

Arrange the potato skins

To arrange the potato skins, first, take them out of the freezer and remove them from their packaging. Place the frozen potato skins in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow for even cooking. You can use tongs to arrange them neatly and safely. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might fit around five to six potato skins at a time. If you need to cook more, work in batches to avoid overcrowding.

It is important to note that you should not thaw the potato skins before placing them in the air fryer. They should be added to the air fryer straight from the freezer to achieve the best texture.

Air fry

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior. Set it to 360°F to 400°F (about 180°C to 200°C for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Potato Skins

Take your frozen potato skins out of the freezer. It's best to use them straight from frozen—don't thaw them first. Place the desired number of potato skins in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they're not overcrowded. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 3: Air Fry

Now, it's time to air fry those potato skins! Cook them for about 8 to 12 minutes at the temperature you set. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or flip the potato skins to ensure even cooking and browning. If you want them extra crispy, you can add another 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4: Add Toppings

For that melted cheese goodness, sprinkle your favourite shredded cheese on top of the potato skins during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking. You can also add other toppings like bacon bits after cooking.

Step 5: Serve

Carefully remove the potato skins from the air fryer, and they're ready to serve! Potato skins are best enjoyed hot and crispy, so dig in while they're fresh out of the fryer. You can serve them with various toppings and dipping sauces, such as sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, or guacamole.

Tips for Perfect Potato Skins

• Use cooking spray: Coating the potato skins with cooking spray before air frying helps create a crispy, non-stick surface and prevents sticking.
• Don't overcrowd: Give each potato skin enough space in the air fryer to allow for even cooking and crisping.
• Flip halfway through: For even browning and cooking, flip the potato skins halfway through the cooking time, especially if your air fryer doesn't have a rotating basket.
• Watch for browning: Keep an eye on them, especially towards the end, as they can go from crispy to overdone quickly.
• Reheat with care: To reheat leftover potato skins, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes to regain their crispiness.

Check for crispiness

Checking for crispiness is an important step in making frozen potato skins in an air fryer. After the cooking time has elapsed, you should inspect the potato skins to ensure they have reached your desired level of crispiness. This step is crucial as it allows you to make adjustments if needed. If you find that the potato skins are not crispy enough, simply return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

To achieve the perfect crispiness, it is essential to follow a few key tips. Firstly, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket by arranging the potato skins in a single layer, allowing for even cooking. Secondly, preheating the air fryer is vital for even cooking and achieving the desired crispiness. Finally, keep a close eye on the potato skins during the final minutes of cooking, as they can quickly go from crispy to overdone.

By following these simple steps and staying vigilant, you can ensure that your frozen potato skins turn out crispy and delicious every time.

Add toppings

Once your potato skins are cooked, it's time to add toppings!

You can add your favourite toppings to your potato skins, but some common options include shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, chives, and bacon bits or bacon crumbles. If you want to add cheese, it's best to add it during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking so that it melts. You can also add extra toppings after cooking and return the potato skins to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to warm them through.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different types of cheese, additional toppings like diced jalapeños or diced tomatoes, and various dipping sauces. You can also add fresh herbs like thyme and oregano, guacamole, pico de gallo, or salsa.

If you're making these potato skins for a party, you can create a toppings bar where everyone can customize their potato skins.

Frequently asked questions