These air fryer baked potatoes are just that - simple, yet so delicious and satisfying. And best of all, air-fried baked potatoes have crispy skin and perfectly cooked and fluffy insides. With this easy “Set it and forget it” method, you will rub your potatoes with a little oil and salt, then put them in the air fryer and walk away. Knowing when the timer beeps you will come back to perfectly cooked potatoes!
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
My potato-loving family is obsessed with baked potatoes. It all started when we got our Ninja air fryer. Making baked potatoes in the air fryer is so easy and they come out perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. We love topping them with sour cream, cheese, and chives, but sometimes we get creative and add other toppings like bacon or chili. Our air fryer gets used multiple times a week just to make baked potatoes! My kids are also obsessed with these showstopping Bloomin' Potatoes, Air fryer Twice-Baked Potatoes and Baked Sweet Potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Sea salt (or Kosher salt)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (2 easy ways)
Baked Potato in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the air fryer is preheating, scrub your potatoes clean and pat them dry.
- Rub your potatoes with oil and sprinkle them with salt. Season with pepper, if desired. Or any other spices. I like to use garlic powder. Picture 1.
- Prick the potatoes several times with a fork. This will help them cook evenly.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the potatoes in the basket and cook for 40 minutes, turning them halfway. Or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. Pictures 2 and 3.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer, let them cool for a few minutes, and dive right into the crispy skin.
- Fluff up the potato flesh a little, using a fork.
- Top with your favorite toppings (butter, sour cream, cheese, etc.). Serve and enjoy! Picture 4.
Microwaved and Air-fried Baked Potatoes
The easiest and quickest way: Microwave the potatoes first then finish them up in the air fryer to crisp up the skin.
Just like a traditional baked potato, microwave-baked potatoes are oven-baked until they are fluffy on the inside. The difference is that microwave-baked potatoes are cooked in a fraction of the time. See Jo-Ann's Baked Potatoes video in action.
- Start by scrubbing the potato under running water.
- Then, dry it off and pierce the skin several times with a fork.
- Next, place the potato on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it on high for five minutes. Microwave for 3-5 minutes for one potato, or 5-7 minutes for two potatoes.
- Carefully remove it from the microwave and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Rub your potatoes with oil and sprinkle them with salt. Season with pepper, if desired.
- Transfer potatoes to a preheated air fryer.
- Air fry 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, or until the skin is crispy and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Which Potatoes are Best for Baking?
You'll want to choose a potato with a thin skin. This will ensure that the skin gets nice and crispy in the oven.
Pick a potato that is high in starch. This type of potato will become fluffy and creamy when baked.
Avoid potatoes that have any blemishes or bruises. These potatoes may not bake evenly and could end up being mushy.
The best potatoes for baking are Yukon Golds, Russets, and Pontiacs.
Do I have to Pierce the Potatoes before Air frying them?
Yes! Piercing the potatoes with a fork before air frying helps them to cook more evenly.
It prevents them from exploding during cooking and allows the potatoes to release some of their moisture, resulting in a crispier finished product. So it's certainly worth doing if you want the best results.
Best Toppings for Baked Potatoes
I love my baked potato with lots of butter. However, there are countless toppings that can take it to the next level.
Sour cream and chives, provide a perfect balance of creaminess and tanginess.
Chili, adds a heartwarming touch to the dish.
For a lighter option, try yogurt or cottage cheese with herbs.
Cheese is a classic choice for baked potatoes, and it can be combined with other ingredients like bacon, sour cream, and chives.
For a truly decadent treat, top your potato with air-fried saute onions, or mushrooms & onions.
More Air Fryer Potato Recipes You’ll Love
- Hasselback Potatoes
- Roast Potatoes with Turmeric and Cumin
- Potatoe wedges with Mayo and garlic
- Crispy Potato Skins
Easiest and Fastest Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
These air fryer baked potatoes are just that - simple, yet so delicious and satisfying. And best of all, air-fried baked potatoes have crispy skin and perfectly cooked and fluffy insides.
With this easy “Set it and forget it” method, you will rub your potatoes with a little oil and salt, then put them in the air fryer and walk away. Knowing when the timer beeps you will come back to perfectly cooked potatoes!
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Sea salt (or Kosher salt)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Air-fryer Baked Potato
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the air fryer is preheating, scrub your potatoes clean and pat them dry.
- Rub your potatoes with oil and sprinkle them with salt. Season with pepper, if desired. Or any other spices. I like to use garlic powder.
- Prick the potatoes several times with a fork. This will help them cook evenly.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the potatoes in the basket and cook for 40 minutes, turning them halfway. Or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer, let them cool for a few minutes, and dive right into the crispy skin.
- Fluff up the potato flesh a little, using a fork.
- Top with your favorite toppings (butter, sour cream, cheese, etc.). Serve immediately and enjoy!
Method 2. The easiest and quickest way: Microwave the potatoes first then finish them up in the air fryer to crisp up the skin.
Start by scrubbing the potato under running water.
Then, dry it off and pierce the skin several times with a fork.
Next, place the potato on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it on high for five minutes. Microwave for 3-5 minutes for one potato, or 5-7 minutes for two potatoes.
Carefully remove it from the microwave and let it cool for a few minutes before adding your favorite toppings.
Rub your potatoes with oil and sprinkle them with salt. Season with pepper, if desired.
Transfer potatoes to a preheated air fryer.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, or until the skin is crispy and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Notes
Toppings for Baked Potatoes
I love my baked potato with lots of butter. However, there are countless toppings that can take it to the next level.
Sour cream and chives, provide a perfect balance of creaminess and tanginess.
Chili, adds a heartwarming touch to the dish.
For a lighter option, try yogurt or cottage cheese with herbs.
Cheese is a classic choice for baked potatoes, and it can be combined with other ingredients like bacon, sour cream, and chives
For a truly decadent treat, top your potato with air-fried saute onions, or mushrooms & onions.
Debra MacPhail
In Wisconsin we would get what’s called potato skins. They were thick slices of potato cooked/baked ( I don’t know) and Served with sour cream, chives and bacon bits.
Irina
They are delish! I love potato skins. I do make my own Recipe: Air Fryer Potato skins