Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe – Quick & Crispy Side Dish
The Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipes is a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy, tender potatoes without the hassle of traditional baking. Start by washing and scrubbing your potatoes thoroughly, then prick them with a fork a few times to allow steam to escape. Coat the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, ensuring they are evenly covered. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and place the potatoes in the basket, leaving space between them for air circulation. Cook for about 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skins are golden and crispy. Once done, remove from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before slicing open. For added flavor, top with butter, sour cream, chives, or any toppings of your choice. This Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe is a perfect side dish for any meal, offering both simplicity and deliciousness.
Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe – Quick & Crispy Side Dish
Baked potatoes are a classic side dish loved for their versatility and comforting texture. Traditional baked potatoes can take a long time in the oven, but with the help of an air fryer, you can achieve that crispy, golden skin and fluffy interior in a fraction of the time. This Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe is the perfect solution for busy weeknights, parties, or any occasion when you want a quick, healthy side dish that is full of flavor.
The beauty of air fryer baked potatoes is that they are simple to make, require very little prep, and deliver perfectly cooked potatoes every time. Plus, you can easily customize the toppings to suit your taste, whether you prefer sour cream and chives, melted cheese, or a sprinkle of bacon bits. With this recipe, you can enjoy a healthier, quicker version of a beloved classic without compromising on flavor.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 161
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 4g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Potassium: 926mg
- Vitamin C: 17% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Iron: 6% of the DV
This nutritional breakdown is based on using a medium-sized russet potato and minimal oil for cooking. You can adjust the nutritional content by adding toppings like sour cream, cheese, or bacon.
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes (or your preferred potato variety)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or cooking spray)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional toppings: butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, bacon bits, or any other favorite topping
Instructions
- Prep the Potatoes: Start by thoroughly washing the potatoes to remove any dirt. Scrub the skins gently with a vegetable brush to ensure they are clean. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Pierce the Potatoes: Use a fork to pierce the potatoes 6-8 times. This helps the steam to escape during cooking and prevents the potatoes from bursting.
- Coat the Potatoes: Rub each potato with olive oil, ensuring the skin is evenly coated. Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper over the potatoes for flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This ensures that the potatoes will cook evenly.
- Air Fry the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. Depending on the size of your potatoes, cooking times may vary, so check for doneness by inserting a fork or knife into the center. The potato should feel soft and yield easily.
- Check for Doneness: After 35 minutes, check the potatoes for doneness. If they are not soft enough, continue cooking for 5-10 more minutes, checking periodically.
- Serve and Add Toppings: Once the potatoes are cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. Cut a slit down the center of each potato and fluff the insides with a fork. Top with your favorite toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, or bacon bits.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
(For washing, scrubbing, and seasoning the potatoes)
Active Time
- Active Time: 40 minutes
(This includes air frying and flipping the potatoes halfway through)
Resting Time
- Resting Time: 5 minutes
(Allow the potatoes to rest after cooking before serving)
Total Time
- Total Time: 50 minutes
(Includes both active cooking time and resting time)
Cuisines
- American
- Comfort Food
Course
- Side Dish
Servings
- 4 servings (1 potato per serving)
Calories
Each serving (1 medium baked potato) contains approximately 161 calories, making it a relatively light side dish that can easily fit into a balanced meal.
Equipment
- Air Fryer: Essential for achieving that crispy skin and fluffy interior.
- Fork: For piercing the potatoes before cooking.
- Tongs: For safely handling the hot potatoes when flipping or removing from the air fryer.
- Vegetable Brush: To scrub the potatoes clean before cooking.
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Step-by-Step Air Fryer Baked Potato Instructions
Step 1: Clean the Potatoes
Start by washing the russet potatoes thoroughly. Scrub the skins gently under cold water using a vegetable brush to remove dirt and debris. Dry them off with a towel before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Pierce the Potatoes
Using a fork, pierce each potato 6-8 times around the surface. This step is essential because it allows steam to escape while the potatoes cook, preventing any risk of bursting.
Step 3: Season the Potatoes
Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and rub it all over the skin. This will help the skin become crispy in the air fryer. Sprinkle salt and pepper over each potato to enhance the flavor. You can also experiment with other seasonings, like garlic powder or paprika, for extra flavor.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating the air fryer ensures that the potatoes start cooking immediately when placed inside. Preheat it to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Step 5: Air Fry the Potatoes
Arrange the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is space around each potato for air circulation. Air fry the potatoes for about 35-40 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. Check the potatoes for doneness by inserting a fork into the center. They should be soft inside and crispy on the outside.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Once done, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. Then, slice them open, fluff the insides with a fork, and add your favorite toppings.
Why Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes?
The air fryer is a game-changer for baked potatoes, reducing cooking time and giving you perfectly crispy skins every time. Unlike traditional oven-baked potatoes, the air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the potatoes more efficiently. The result is a crispier exterior and a fluffy, tender interior without the need for excessive oil.
Not only do air fryer baked potatoes cook faster, but they also have fewer calories compared to deep-fried potatoes, making them a healthier option. Plus, they are very easy to prepare and require minimal ingredients, making them a great option for beginner cooks or anyone short on time.
Conclusion
This Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves the combination of crispy skin and soft, fluffy interiors. The air fryer makes the process so much quicker and easier than traditional baking methods while still delivering fantastic results. Whether you’re serving these as a side dish or customizing them with your favorite toppings, they’re sure to be a hit at any meal.
I am Ashley Doyle, Senior Specialist in Food & Policy at The Humane Society of the United States and editor at airfryermama.com. I am passionate about transforming our global food system by promoting delicious, climate-friendly, plant-based foods. After transitioning from law to food and public policy, I now work with major food service companies to develop plant-based initiatives and animal welfare policies. My goal is to drive institutional change to combat climate change and improve our food system.