Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (2024)

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Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 05/19/23Updated: 10/19/23

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There’s simply nothing better than an air fryer baked potato. The skin is crispy and delectably salty, and the flesh is perfectly light and fluffy. Best of all, the quick and easy air fryer method takes a fraction of the time of other cooking options. Dress up these foolproof baked potatoes with your favorite toppings and dig in!

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (2)

🥔 What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • Tired of baked potatoes that are cooked unevenly, with hard or cool spots peppered throughout the center? You’re in luck. This air fryer baked potato recipe is exactly what you need! With the air fryer, the potatoes are soft, tender, and cooked perfectly throughout. Plus, this foolproof method is hands down the easiest way to get perfect baked potatoes every single time.
  • Baked potatoes are unbelievably versatile. They’re a great side dish for steak, chicken, and pork dishes, but they’re also tasty all on their own. Load them up with any combo of your favorite toppings (seriously, the possibilities are endless) and you’ve got a simple but delicious meal with minimal effort.
  • Meal preppers rejoice – the air fryer is a great way to prepare several baked potatoes to get you through the week ahead. Just refrigerate the baked potatoes in an airtight container after cooking and reheat them in the microwave (or air fryer) when it’s time to eat.

We ❤️ Potatoes

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👩🏼‍🍳 Chef’s Tips

  • Cook times will vary from one air fryer to the next, so be sure to check your potatoes periodically and adjust your cook time as needed! When I checked on mine at the 30-minute mark, they were still pretty firm. I ended up needing another 10 minutes (40 minutes total) before they were ready to go. Check yours at 30 minutes and then every 5 minutes after as needed.
  • Make sure you poke ventilation holes in the potatoes with a fork before you season and cook them! It may not seem important, but those tiny little holes help the potatoes cook more evenly. They also let any steam inside the potatoes escape, which will lessen the odds of the potatoes exploding in the air fryer.
  • Unlike baked potatoes on the grill, there’s no need to wrap an air fryer baked potato in aluminum foil before cooking. In fact, I highly recommend you don’t! For a really crispy potato skin, air fry them completely unwrapped. The air will circulate around the salt-crusted potatoes and crisp them up beautifully! Aluminum foil will just make the potato skins soggy, which isn’t ideal.
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Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (8)

4.97 from 28 votes

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Prep:10 minutes minutes

Cook:30 minutes minutes

Total:40 minutes minutes

The easiest, most foolproof way to get perfect baked potatoes!

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4 baked potatoes

Ingredients

For the Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

  • 4 medium russet potatoes 6-8 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil plus more as needed
  • coarse sea salt to taste

Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. Wash 4 medium russet potatoes well under running water and scrub with vegetable scrubber to remove any surface dirt. Use paper towels to dry each potato completely then place potatoes on cutting board.

  • Carefully poke each potato with tines of fork, creating small vent holes over entire potato surface. Gently rub entire surface of potatoes with 1 tablespoon neutral oil, then sprinkle coarse sea salt over all sides of potatoes.

    Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (9)

  • Place salt-crusted potatoes in air fryer basket, working in batches as needed if using especially large potatoes or if air fryer is small. Place basket in preheated air fryer and cook potatoes 30 minutes.

    Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (10)

  • After 30 minutes, remove basket from air fryer. Test potato doneness by poking potatoes with tines of fork – fork should easily pierce skin and inner flesh of potatoes. Note: If fork does not easily pierce potatoes, return basket to air fryer. Cook potatoes another 5 minutes, then check doneness again. Repeat as needed until potatoes are ready.

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  • When potatoes are ready, remove basket from air fryer and carefully transfer potatoes to cutting board.

  • Slice potatoes down center with knife, being careful not to cut potatoes completely in half. Gently press on sides of potato to open center slice and allow steam to escape.

  • Use fork to fluff insides of potatoes, then dress baked potatoes with desired toppings and serve immediately.

Notes

  • You must poke holes in the potatoes with a fork before you cook them! These ventilation holes allow steam to escape from the potatoes and will keep the potatoes from exploding in the air fryer.
  • Cook Time: Each time we tested this recipe, our total cook time was 40 minutes. Cook times will vary depending on a number of factors, like the size of the potatoes, the make and model of air fryer, the age of your air fryer, etc. Adjust your cook time as needed!

Suggested Toppings

  • Greek yogurt or sour cream and butter
  • Cheddar cheese and broccoli
  • Guacamole or avocado slices
  • Ranch dressing
  • Pesto, cherry tomatoes, and feta
  • Queso, seasoned ground beef, salsa, and jalapeños
  • Sautéed spinach
  • Shredded chicken and buffalo sauce
  • Pulled pork and barbecue sauce
  • Chives, cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1baked potato (without toppings), Calories: 165cal, Protein: 4g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Sodium: 9mg, Potassium: 709mg, Total Carbs: 31g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Net Carbs: 29g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (12)

Meet Cheryl Malik

In addition to being a certified health coach, certified yoga instructor, and mom of 3, Cheryl is also the recipe developer, editor-in-chief, food photographer, and passionate foodie behind 40 Aprons. Having spent the last 10+ years as a food blogger, she's become known for her flavorful recipes, detailed instructions, gorgeous photography, and down-to-earth approach to food and cooking in general.

Read more...

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Reader Interactions

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    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (18)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      So happy to hear you enjoyed them! 😊

      Reply

  1. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (19)Blake says

    Am I missing what temperature to cook them at for 30mins after preheating the air fryer?

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (20)Megan | 40 Aprons Team says

      You’ll cook them at the 400° Fahrenheit you preheated the air fryer to!

      Reply

  2. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (21)candice hopkins says

    Delicious! I initially cooked for 30 minutes, then cut one open to see inside. Needed another 10 minutes! But that open one was toasty on top ! Yes I would make again!
    Another 3 thumbs up from my family !!Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (22)

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (23)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      So glad everyone loved them! Thanks for sharing, Candice! 😊

      Reply

  3. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (24)Sara says

    Made the potatoes last night. Perfect! With the heat wave going on in Texas I try not to use my oven very much. Thanks!Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (25)

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (26)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      So glad you enjoyed them, Sara! 😊

      Reply

  4. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (27)Larry B says

    I only want to make 2, not 4, baked potatoes. How long to cook 2 potatoes?

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (28)Megan | 40 Aprons Team says

      You’ll want to follow the same guidelines for 2 potatoes that you would for 4 – go by the doneness rather than the cook time! You can start checking the doneness around 20-25 minutes if you want, but you’ll just want to cook the potatoes until you can pierce them with a fork easily.

      Reply

  5. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (29)Ilene says

    Love the baked potatoes in the air fryer.Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (30)

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (31)Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      So glad you enjoyed them, Ilene! 😊

      Reply

  6. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (32)LINDA JACKSON says

    Air Fry or Bake setting? I’m new to Air Frying, and I’m getting old, so I need every. single. instruction available. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (33)Megan | 40 Aprons Team says

      Air fry! If you’re using an air fryer function on an oven, you may have to adjust the overall cook time. We only tested this method using a stand-alone air fryer.

      Reply

  7. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (34)Leslie says

    Brand new Air Fryer owner! What do you consider a neutral oil?

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (35)Megan | 40 Aprons Team says

      We just mean anything that has a neutral flavor – something like avocado oil, EVOO, etc.

      Make sure you’re using an oil that’s air-fryer-safe, too! Aerosol cooking sprays (like PAM) contain ingredients that will damage the coating on the air fryer basket. Instead, you’ll want to use an oil sprayer or oil spritzer filled with your choice of neutral oil.

      Reply

  8. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (36)Sabrina says

    Perfect. Thank you 💜Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (37)

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (38)Molly | 40 Aprons Team says

      So glad! Thanks for your review, Sabrina!

      Reply

  9. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (39)KimmyT says

    My husband says he doesn’t ever want baked potatoes any other way. We have a ninja with many settings, so I just want to reaffirm to set it on “air fryer” not bake.Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (40)

    Reply

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (41)Megan | 40 Aprons Team says

      Yes that’s right! So glad y’all enjoy these potatoes so much, Kimmy – thanks for sharing your review!

      Reply

Older Comments

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when potatoes are done in an air fryer? ›

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.

Is baked potato better in oven or air fryer? ›

Crispy outside and fluffy inside, an air fryer baked potato is the BEST way to cook potatoes. Faster than the oven and perfect for toppings!

How long does it take for a potato to get soft in the air fryer? ›

Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Rub potatoes with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. Place potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook in the preheated air fryer until potatoes are soft, 40 to 50 minutes, depending on potato size.

How do you make sure potatoes are fully cooked? ›

The potatoes are done when tender.

The potatoes are done when they are tender all the way through. You can test this by poking the potato with a fork, paring knife, or skewer. If the utensil slides easily all the way to the center, the potatoes are done.

What happens if potatoes aren't cooked enough? ›

Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, two compounds that can cause gastric distress and potentially make you sick. Additionally, raw potatoes contain resistant starch, which is difficult to digest, and their overall taste and texture is nothing like the potatoes you know and love.

Why are my potatoes not cooking in the air fryer? ›

Firstly, if your potatoes are still wet before being placed into an air fryer, this can cause your potatoes not to crispen up. You can avoid this by thoroughly patting dry your potatoes before you place them in the air fryer. Secondly, you might be putting in too many potato chips so they aren't cooking evenly.

Are potatoes in the air fryer good for you? ›

The reaction that happens when you fry potatoes or other starchy foods makes the chemical acrylamide, which research links to greater chances of getting cancer. One study shows that air frying lowers the amount of acrylamide in fried potatoes by 90%.

Why air fry instead of bake? ›

Because air fryers cook so fast and at high temps, foods like chicken wings, french fries and most frozen apps will get crispy on the outside without drying out on the inside the way they might when stuck in the large oven for 30 or 40 minutes. As mentioned, air fryers don't require any preheating time either.

What happens if you don t soak potatoes before air frying? ›

I wouldn't bother doing potatoes from the raw state, without soaking. It will take about a half an hour and the texture won't be nearly as rewarding. They just don't get very crispy without that cold soak.

Should I microwave my potato before air frying? ›

The size of the potato and model of airfryer may effect the cooking time. To speed up the cooking time, you can microwave on high for 8-10 mins before airfrying (check after 15-20 mins). When ready, the skin should be crisp and the inside tender and fluffy. Split and serve immediately with the toppings of your choice.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Do baked potatoes continue to cook while resting? ›

Don't exceed the recommended cooking time because potatoes will continue to cook after they're removed from the oven and the skin will get dry. "Another common mistake is letting the potato rest or cool before cutting. This is not meat and the potato doesn't get better with resting.

Should a baked potato be hard or soft? ›

A perfect baked potato is hard to beat. The outside is brown and crisp, coated in a crust of sea salt. Pierce the skin, and your fork gives way to a soft, fluffy interior.

Is it better to overcook or undercook potatoes? ›

Cooking the potatoes just right is key. If they're undercooked, you'll have pockets of crispy potato chunks-—a big no-no for classic fluffy mashed potatoes. If you overcook them they disintegrate and your potatoes will be soupy.

Do baked potatoes cook faster covered or uncovered? ›

Wrapping potatoes in foil does not hasten baking. On the contrary, since the foil itself has to be heated before the potato begins to bake, cooking times increase slightly. Not only do you get better baked potatoes when you bake them unwrapped, you also save money.

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