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We’re unlocking the secret to perfectly crispy yet fluffy baked Potatoes using just three simple ingredients and an air fryer! Whether you’re craving a quick side dish or a satisfying meal on its own, this method guarantees delicious results every time. Say goodbye to lengthy oven times and hello to the magic of air frying as we dive into this easy and irresistible recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need much! Air baked potatoes use only three simple ingredients:
- Russet Potatoes – We use russet potatoes for baking because their skins hold up well when baking.
- Olive oil – You can use regular olive oil or extra virgin olive oil. You could also use other oil you have on hand. It generally doesn’t change the taste of the potato much, but it does help to crisp the outside a bit.
- Salt – just adds a bit of flavor. We use coarse sea salt, but table salt will work in a pinch. You can leave it out if you are on a low sodium diet.
- Air Fryer – We both agree that this air fryer is one of the best purchases we ever made. We use it weekly when we’re cooking for our families and it makes so many awesome things from air fryer shrimp or air fryer pork chops to air fryer broccoli and air fryer asparagus.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Just 2 simple steps is all it takes to make air fryer baked potates. We used to swear by making our baked potatoes in the Instant Pot but I have to admit the air fryer has it beat! The skin gets perfectly crispy and the inside is light and fluffy. It’s the only way to make a baked potato.
Step 1 – Season the potatoes. Really wash and clean the outside of the potatoes well. When they are free of dirt and other debris, dry them off and rub them with the olive oil. Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and rub it around so that all sides of the potato are covered.
Step 2 – Preheat and cook. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees and allow it to preheat. Once it is preheated, carefully place the potatoes in the inner basket side-by-side (tongs help with this or use your hands). Cook the potatoes for about 40 to 50 minutes (for a 9-10 ounce potato) or until the potatoes are fork tender in the center.
How Long to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer
The cook time for a baked potato can vary based on it’s size. These are general guidelines for cook times:
- Small Potatoes (about 5-6 ounces each): Cook Time: 30-35 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
- Medium Potatoes (about 7-8 ounces each): Cook Time: 35-40 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
- Large Potatoes (about 9-10 ounces each): Cook Time: 45-50 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
Remember, these are approximate times, and it’s essential to adjust based on your specific air fryer model and the desired level of crispiness. Always check for doneness by piercing the potatoes with a fork before serving. Enjoy your perfectly baked potatoes!
Air fryers are great for cooking all types of potatoes! Make sure to try our Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes, Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Frequently Asked Questions
The conventional wisdom is poke holes in your potatoes before you bake them. We decided to do a bit of experimenting here. We didn’t –
And you know what? They cooked perfectly without piercing the outside.
But if it makes you feel better to poke some holes, go right ahead. It doesn’t hurt to do it either.
We don’t find that the potatoes cook much faster with foil on them. But we did find that placing them in foil keeps the steam in more as they cook. This results in a softer outer skin.
If you leave the foil off, the potato skin gets a bit crispier. We prefer the skin a bit crispier, but if you like a softer skin, then use foil.
Another advantage of wrapping the potatoes is that it does seem to keep them warmer for longer once they are done cooking. If you plan to have them sit for a period of time, like while your steak finishes cooking, cooking them in foil will keep them warmer longer.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerator: To store a baked potato, first, allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Then, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. You can store your baked potatoes in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Freezer: Let the potato cool completely. Tightly wrap the cooled potato foil. This is an important step because potatoes have water in them and if they are frozen incorrectly they can get a gritty, watery texture when you reheat them.
Once wrapped you’ve wrapped them in foil, place them inside a freezer bag and seal it tightly. You can freeze them for 1 to 2 months. Note: Always let your potato thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating.
Reheating: When you are ready to to reheat the potato, slice it open and place about 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of butter inside. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or bake at 350 for 7 to 10 minutes in a traditional oven or until warmed through.
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Air Fryer Baked Potato
This easy recipe for Air Fryer Baked Potato gives you a baked potato with crispy skin and fluffy inside every time!
- 2 Russet Potatoes, approximately 10 ounces each (See note 1)
- ½ tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Salt
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Drizzle the oil over the two potatoes and rub it over the skin.
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over each potato coating the outer skin.
Place the potatoes in the air fryer side-by-side. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until they are tender enough that a fork pressed into the middle goes in easily.
- The cook time for a baked potato can vary based on it’s size. These are general guidelines for cook times:
- Small Potatoes (about 5-6 ounces each): Cook Time: 30-35 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
- Medium Potatoes (about 7-8 ounces each): Cook Time: 35-40 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
- Large Potatoes (about 9-10 ounces each): Cook Time: 45-50 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
Serving: 1potato, Calories: 199kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2336mg, Potassium: 888mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
The post How to Make a Baked Potato in the Air Fryer first appeared on AfterCuriosity.
