Air-Fried Potato Skins: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryer potato skins are a quick and easy snack that can be made in batches and frozen for later. They can be loaded with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions, and are perfect for game day or as an appetizer. This recipe uses cooked potatoes and takes less than 10 minutes to make.

Choosing the right potatoes

When it comes to choosing the right potatoes for making potato skins in an air fryer, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to use russet potatoes. Their larger size and tougher skin make them ideal for this purpose. While other types of potatoes, such as red potatoes or Yukon gold, can also be used, their thinner skins may not hold up as well during the preparation process.

The starch content of the potatoes is another important consideration. Starchy potatoes like russets tend to be dry, fluffy, and absorbent, with skins that crisp up nicely when fried or baked. On the other hand, waxy potatoes like red potatoes have a smoother texture that holds their shape well during cooking, making them better suited for dishes like scalloped or au gratin potatoes, potato salads, soups, or stews.

When selecting potatoes, it is important to choose those that are clean, dry, and firm, with no bruises or green spots. If there are any green patches, sprouts, or black patches, be sure to remove them before cooking. Handle the potatoes gently to avoid bruising, as bruises can turn into dark patches.

In terms of storage, potatoes should be kept in a dark, well-ventilated, cool area (around 7-10°C/40°-50°F). If they are stored at too warm a temperature, they may sprout, shrivel, and lose nutrients. Conversely, if they are stored too cold, they may develop dark patches and take on a slightly sweet flavour as the starch turns to sugar.

Preparing the potatoes

Firstly, select your potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for this recipe due to their thicker skins, which become super crispy when baked or air-fried, and their heartier structure, which can support lots of toppings. However, you can also use other varieties such as Yukon gold or sweet potatoes. If you opt for Russet potatoes, you will need four of them to get eight skins. If you are using a different type of potato, adjust the quantity accordingly.

Next, wash and dry your chosen potatoes. This step is important to avoid any dirt or bacteria transferring to the potato skins during the cooking process. Once they are clean and dry, pierce each potato a few times with a fork. This step will help the potatoes cook evenly and prevent them from bursting during the cooking process.

Now it's time to prep your potatoes for the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. While the air fryer is heating up, rub each potato with a light coating of oil. You can use avocado oil, olive oil, or even bacon grease if you're feeling indulgent! Make sure to get a good coating all over the potatoes.

Once your potatoes are prepped, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Space them out so that they are not touching. This will help ensure that the skins get nice and crispy. Depending on the size and shape of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

With the potatoes nicely spaced out in the air fryer basket, it's time to start cooking. Air fry the potatoes until they can be easily pierced in the centre with a knife. This should take around 30 minutes, but the exact time will depend on the size of your potatoes. Remember, the larger the potatoes, the longer they will take to cook.

Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool. This step is important for both food safety and for your own comfort when handling the potatoes. Once they are cool enough to handle, it's time to cut and scoop them out. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scoop out the soft middles, leaving a border of potato next to the skin. The recommended border width is about 1/4 of an inch, but you can adjust this to your preference. Don't toss the potato flesh that you scoop out! You can add it to soups or salads, or get creative and make lazy mashed potatoes by mashing it with some Greek yogurt and seasonings.

Now it's time to season your potato skins. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining oil and your choice of seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Greek seasoning, Old Bay, or Cajun seasoning. Brush both sides of the potato skins with the seasoned oil, making sure to get a good coating.

At this point, your potato skins are almost ready for their close-up! Place the potato halves in the air fryer with the middles facing the pan and the skins facing up. Air fry them for 5 minutes at 400°F. There's no need to preheat the air fryer again, simply pop them in!

And there you have it! Your potatoes are now ready to be loaded up with your favourite toppings. Simply follow the rest of your chosen recipe, and enjoy your delicious, crispy potato skins!

Cooking the potatoes

To make potato skins in an air fryer, you'll first need to cook your potatoes. This can be done in the air fryer itself, or you can bake them in the oven or even in the microwave.

If you're cooking your potatoes in the air fryer, you'll want to preheat it to 400°F. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork, rub them with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 35-45 minutes, or until they are tender all the way through. If your potatoes are particularly large, they may take longer to cook.

If you're baking your potatoes in the oven, rub them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and cook at 450°F for 45-55 minutes, or until they are tender.

To cook your potatoes in the microwave, poke holes in them with a fork and place them on a microwave-safe dish. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes, or until they are tender.

Once your potatoes are cooked, let them cool before cutting them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh of the potato, leaving about a 1/4-inch "rim" of potato along the skin. Be careful not to scoop out too much, as you still want to be able to eat the potato.

Now you're ready to air fry your potato skins! Brush the skins with olive oil and place them in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes.

At this point, you can add your desired toppings. Cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions are all popular choices. Reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

And that's it! You've now got delicious, crispy potato skins ready to be enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish.

Adding toppings

Once you've cooked your potato skins in the air fryer, it's time to add your toppings. The classic combination is cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions, but you can easily make this vegetarian and add peppers, onions, or anything else you like!

If you're going for the classic, start by sprinkling cheddar cheese into the hollowed-out potato skins, then add your bacon. You can choose to add your green onions now or after the cheese has melted. Next, cook the potato skins with the toppings for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the air fryer, and top with sour cream or ranch dressing.

If you're looking for something a little different, you could try:

• Shredded buffalo chicken with green onions, blue cheese, and sour cream or ranch dressing
• A healthy Southwestern vegetable mix
• Cheesy sauce and tender broccoli
• Shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
• Crumbled bacon
• Sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes
• Ranch – use dried ranch powder for a tangy taste
• Sour cream and onion – make your own seasoning by mixing together salt, onion powder, and powdered buttermilk

Reheating and storing

Leftover potato skins are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for 3-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 6 months. To freeze, place the potato skins in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible.

When you're ready to eat your frozen potato skins, reheat them in the air fryer at 370°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. If they are on the larger side, you may need to add an extra 1-3 minutes. You can also reheat them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot.

If you want to add some extra crispiness to your potato skins, reheat them in a skillet. Heat a small amount of oil or butter in the skillet over medium heat. Place the potato skins in the pan and press them down as flat as possible. Cover with a lid and heat for 4-5 minutes.

When reheating, remember to remove any cold toppings such as sour cream or salsa before placing the potato skins in the air fryer, oven, or skillet. You can add these toppings back on after reheating, or add new toppings such as cheese, bacon bits, or green onions.

Frequently asked questions