Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Air fryer baked potatoes are the easiest way to get perfectly fluffy insides with crispy, golden skins—without heating up the oven. They cook faster than traditional baked potatoes, and you can top them with anything from butter and cheese to chilli or sour cream. Ideal for a quick lunch, a hearty side dish, or even a full meal when loaded with toppings.

Ingredients

• 2 large baking potatoes (Russet or Maris Piper work best)
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil (or spray oil)
• 1 tsp sea salt (coarse for extra crunch)
• Optional: black pepper, garlic powder, paprika

How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

1. Prep the potatoes – Scrub them clean and pat dry. Pierce each potato 5–6 times with a fork to let steam escape.
2. Oil & season – Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt.
3. Air fry – Place in the basket (don’t overcrowd). Air fry at 200°C / 400°F for 35–45 minutes, turning halfway, until skins are crisp and a fork slides in easily.
4. Serve – Slice open, fluff with a fork, and add your favourite toppings.

You Must Know

• Size matters: Larger potatoes may need up to 50 minutes; smaller ones can be done in 30.
• Crispier skins: Brushing with a little extra oil during the last 10 minutes boosts crunch.
• Make ahead: Cook, cool, and refrigerate; reheat in the air fryer at 180°C / 360°F for 5–7 minutes.

Topping Variations

• Classic: Butter, sour cream, chives, salt & pepper
• Cheesy: Melted cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan
• Loaded: Crispy bacon bits, spring onions, ranch or BBQ drizzle
• Healthy: Greek yoghurt, steamed broccoli, grilled chicken
• Spicy: Chilli con carne, jalapeños, hot sauce

Make It a Meal

Pair your baked potato with:

• A crisp side salad
• Grilled salmon or chicken
• Roasted veggies in the air fryer
• Hearty stews or chilli

Pro Tips

• Use Russet (US) or Maris Piper (UK) for the fluffiest insides.
• Don’t wrap them in foil; it prevents the skin from crisping.
• Place potatoes directly on the basket, not in foil or parchment.

Recipe FAQs

Q: Can I cook multiple potatoes at once?
Yes, just don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave space for hot air to circulate.

Q: Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Yes, a 3–5 minute preheat ensures even crisping.

Q: Can I freeze baked potatoes?
Yes, let them cool, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer.

Print

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Print Recipe

Restaurant-style baked potatoes with crispy, salted skins and fluffy insides turn out perfectly in the air fryer at a fraction of the time it would take to make them in the oven.

• Author: Isabel
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 38 minutes
• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
1x2x3x

• 4 medium russet or Idaho potatoes, 7 ounces each, washed and dried
• olive oil spray
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional toppings:

• sour cream, greek yogurt, butter, chili, chives, broccoli and cheese, etc, optional for topping

Instructions

1. How To Bake a Potato In an Air Fryer: Using a fork, pierce the potatoes all over.
2. Spray each potato with a few spritzes of oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
3. Arrange in the basket, and air fry 400F until a knife can easily be inserted into the center of each potato, about 35 to 40 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time.
4. Serve the potatoes, split open topped with remaining salt and pepper and your favorite toppings.