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With only three simple ingredients, this air fryer baked potato recipe has a crispy skin, and a light and fluffy center! Faster than in the oven, this easy foolproof method will become your favorite way to bake potatoes! You’ll never turn back!
The air fryer is one of my favorite cooking tools, and I just love making potatoes in it!
I’ve made potato wedges, frozen French fries, and tater tots! Today, I’m bringing to you the long awaited air fryer baked potato!
My husband is crazy for baked potatoes! But to be completely honest, I didn’t make them very often, until now!
For one thing, it takes forever to preheat the oven to 450 F.
Then there’s the problem of the summer months. The last thing I want to do is heat up my entire house when it’s eighty degrees outside.
On top of that, there’s the problem of timing! When it occurs to me that a baked potato would pair well with our dinner, I realize that it’s going to take an hour or more for it to bake! Not to mention the preheat time!
My family doesn’t have that kind of patience!
So, I end up scraping the whole idea, and make roasted potatoes instead!
But both my husband and I love a good baked potato.
They have a creamy center, a nice crispy skin, and you can stuff them with all your favorite toppings!
You may have heard of instant pot baked potatoes, and that’s definitely a good option to save time. However, you don’t get that nice crispy potato skin!
When you want a quick baked potato, with a crispy skin, and a light and fluffy center, then the air fryer is hands down the way to go!
Why bake potatoes in an air fryer?
- There’s no need to heat your oven! This comes in handy during the summer months.
- It takes much less time to cook than baking in the oven.
- You get a perfectly baked potato with a crispy skin, and fluffy center.
How long do you need to bake potatoes in an air fryer?
While it will take you close to an hour or more to bake potatoes in the oven, you can cut off a good 20 minutes by doing it in the air fryer! It will take you about 40 minutes to make air fryer baked potatoes. Plus you don’t need to preheat an air fryer, saving you even more time!
What type of potato is best for baking?
There are many different varieties of potatoes. I have my favorites depending on my recipe. I like Yukon Golds for mashed potatoes, and I love redskins for roasted potatoes, but when it comes to baked potatoes, russet are the best!
Russets are the best potatoes for baking because they have a high starch content. They also have a thick skin. This is excellent for achieving that crispy skin texture we all love.
When they are baked they have a light and fluffy center!
Recipe Ingredients and Notes
Russet Potatoes: Be sure to scrub your potatoes clean if they have any dirt. Choose potatoes that are around the same size so that they all cook evenly.
Seasoning: You can use whatever seasoning you like best. I like to keep it simple, so I use kosher salt, and a bit of black pepper. You can add garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or even a touch of cayenne if you want a bit of added spice!
Oil: In order to achieve a crispy skin, it is essential to use oil. Look for an oil with a high smoke point. These include avocado oil, almond oil, grape seed oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, or corn oil. Since I prefer to use healthier oils I suggest avocado oil or almond oil.
Tools and Equipment
Air Fryer: There are many different types of air fryers on the market. I have the Dash Air Fryer. It’s on the smaller side. If you are making more than one or two baked potatoes, I suggest the Go Wise 5.8 qt.
Metal Tongs: You’ll need these to carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer without burning your fingers!
How to Make an Air Fryer Baked Potato – Step by Step
Step 1: Wash and dry your russet potatoes. Make sure that you have used a kitchen towel to pat them dry and absorb the water.
Step 2: Cover your potatoes with cooking oil. I suggest avocado oil or almond oil. Be sure to coat the potatoes on all sides. You can also use a cooking spray. Rub the oil into the skin. This will ensure that the skin turns out nice and crispy. It also helps the salt stick to the potato while cookings.
Step 3: Generously sprinkle salt on the oiled potatoes. Sprinkle on all sides, and rub the salt into the skin to make sure that it sticks. At this time you can add more seasonings if you choose. Some suggestions include garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or cayenne. Use your hands to massage the seasoning into the skin.
Step 4: Place the russet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Allow them to have a little space.
Set the air fryer to 400 F. Cook for 40 minutes. At the 20 minute mark, flip the potatoes over using tongs. After 40 minutes check to make sure they are cooked all the way through. Add more time as needed. Since potatoes come in different sizes you may need additional time for extra large potatoes!
Top Tips for Making an Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Use potatoes that are similar in size.
- Do not wrap in foil if you want a crispy skin.
- Do not poke holes in the potatoes.
- Generously coat the entire outside of the potato in oil and salt.
- Give the potatoes some space in the air fryer. Don’t overcrowd.
- Flip the potatoes halfway through cooking time, at about 20 minutes. This will allow the potatoes to cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
- Depending on the size of your potatoes, you may need to increase of decrease the time slightly.
- Remove potatoes from the air fryer with tongs and allow to cool a few minutes before handling.
- Cut a slit through the skin from one end to the other. Fluff the interior with a fork.
- Add your favorite toppings. I like to keep it simple with vegan butter, fresh herbs.
Are you supposed to wrap baked potatoes in foil?
When making baked potatoes in the air fryer you do not want to wrap them in foil. Wrapping potatoes in foil cooks them more quickly which is a bonus.
However, the foil conducts and traps the heat. As a result the potatoes steam in the foil. This will create a soft skin.
If a crispy skin is what you’re after, do not wrap your potatoes in foil. However, if you like a soft skin, then this is a good method to use.
How do you reheat a baked potato in an air fryer?
To reheat air fried baked potatoes, cut the potato down the center. Place them in the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 360 F, and heat for 5-10 minutes.
You can also use this method to reheat baked potatoes that were cooked in the oven.
Cutting the potato down the middle helps the center get warm more quickly.
Are these baked potatoes healthy?
A baked potato in an air fryer is a healthy side dish, or can even serve as a complete meal when topped with other healthy additions. While these potatoes have oil, much of that is cooked off during the cooking process. What is left is a nice crispy skin.
Health Benefits of Russet Potatoes
High in Nutrients: Russet potatoes are high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, niacin, and folate.
Low in Calories and Fat: One medium russet potato has about 161 calories, and less than 1 gram of fat. This particular recipe is slightly more due to the added oil and salt for a total of 205 calories and 5 grams of fat.
High in Fiber: Russet potatoes are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer and helps with digestion. One potato has 3-4 grams of fiber.
Rich in Antioxidants: Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals that can cause chronic disease.
Toppings for Air Fryer Baked Potato
Dressing up air fried baked potatoes is the most fun and delicious! You can truly get super creative, and turn what would otherwise be a side dish into a full on complete meal! One of my favorite weeknight meals are my vegan loaded sweet potatoes!
Here are some of my favorite ideas besides butter, sour cream, and chives!
- Easy Three Bean Chili
- Nacho Cheese Sauce with Broccoli
- Black Beans with Salsa
- Fresh Herbs
- Fresh lime juice with cumin
- Guacamole
- Mushrooms, Spinach, and Garlic
- Pesto or tomato sauce with a sprinkle of vegan parmesan
- Hummus, olives, and sun dried tomatoes
- Curry powder
- BBQ sauce
- Sriracha
Check out these other air fryer recipes!
- Carrots
- Asparagus
- Butternut Squash
- Zucchini Chips
- Crispy Air Fryer Tofu
- Apple Chips
- Zucchini and Yellow Squash
If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe, please rate the recipe and let me know how they turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based vegan family recipes your whole family will enjoy!
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Ingredients
- 3 russet potatoes
- 3 tsp avocado oil
- 1 1/2 tsp koscher salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry your russet potatoes. Make sure that you have used a kitchen towel to absorb the water.
- Cover your potatoes with cooking oil. I suggest avocado oil or almond oil. Be sure to coat the potatoes on all sides. You can also use a cooking spray. Rub the oil into the skin. This will ensure that the skin turns out nice and crispy. It also helps the salt stick to the potato while cookings.
- Generously sprinkle salt on the oiled potatoes. Sprinkle on all sides, and rub the salt into the skin to make sure that it sticks. At this time you can additional seasoning if you choose. Some suggestions include garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or cayenne. Use your hands to massage the seasoning into the skin. Place the russet potatoes in the air fryer basket. Allow them to have a little space.
- Set the air fryer to 400 F. Cook for 40 minutes. At the 20 minute mark, turn the potatoes over using tongs. After 40 minutes check to make sure they are cooked all the way through. Add more time as needed. Since potatoes come in different sizes you may need additional time for extra large potatoes!
Video
Notes
- Use potatoes that are similar in size.
- Do not wrap in foil if you want a crispy skin.
- Do not poke holes in the potatoes.
- Generously coat the entire outside of the potato in oil and salt.
- Give the potatoes some space in the air fryer. Don’t overcrowd.
- Flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time, at about 20 minutes. This will allow the potatoes to cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
- Depending on the size of your potatoes, you may need to increase of decrease the time slightly.
- Remove potatoes from air fryer and allow to cool a few minutes before handling.
- Cut a slit through the skin from one end to the other. Fluff the interior with a fork.
- Add your favorite toppings. I like to keep it simple with vegan butter, fresh herbs, and maybe a dollop of vegan sour cream.
Love this idea. We constantly make sweet potato and tatter tots in our Air fryer but never baked potatoes. Definitely giving this a go during the week,
Loved how easy this was to make in the air fryer! So delicious 🙂
This is such a great idea. I’ve never made baked potatoes in an air fryer before. I hate having to preheat the oven so this recipe sounds perfect for me!
I can’t wait to give these a try! My family and I love baked potatoes! So excited to try this in my air fryer!
I’m in quarantine in my in laws house and they left us an air fryer and I am obsessed! This is definitely happening this weekend, thank you so much for the recipe!!