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Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, totally delicious and SO easy to make. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are the way forward! Follow this ultimate guide to get the most out of your humble but satisfying spuds.
The vessel in which I make my beloved baked potatoes changes with the situation.
Often it’s the classic oven-baked Jacket Potato I go for, but when it’s a no-nonsense kind of day, and I don’t want to switch my oven on for one lone potato, it’s Air Fryer Baked Potatoes all the way. (Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes is also a handy option for BBQs or parties.)
Our air fryer machines gives us small wins during busy weeks, and while you’re not wrong if you think sticking a potato in one is the simplest thing ever, there are still a few tips and tricks I want to share that will make them NEXT LEVEL tasty, fluffy and crispy at the same time.
This include the type of potato you use (always a King Edward or Maris Piper for me), washing and drying as well as adding oil and salt before cooking (adds flavour as well as giving a crispy skin) and definitely NO FOIL (wrapping them is a common mistake).
There are also a number of options when it comes to timings, so consider what’s best for you on any given day.
For example, you can microwave them first if you’re short on time or try the trick of popping skewers through them (in the air fryer, not microwave) to speed cooking time up too. (I find medium-sized potatoes take about 55 minutes.) Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up too high as this will just make them burn on the outside before they’re cooked in the middle.
My air fryer comfortably makes 4 at a time, but add as many as your machine will fit, making sure they comfortably have space around each potato.
Why you’ll love this Air Fryer Baked Potatoes recipe
⭐️ More energy efficient than using the oven
⭐️ Perfect for a speedy lunch or side dish
⭐️ Fluffy, crispy and totally delicious results
Why cook baked potatoes in the air fryer?
➡️ Energy efficient: Heating up the whole oven just for potatoes is a waste. Air fryers use far less electricity.
➡️ Heat: An oven turned on for an hour or more can lead to a hot kitchen, which is especially uncomfortable in summer. Air fryers don’t do this (meaning these jacket make a great summer barbecue side dish!)
➡️ Delicious and crispy: There results are SO GOOD. The insides and outsides of the potato are perfect when cooked in the air fryer. Fluffy and crispy at the same time. Yum.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Ingredients
- Potatoes – In the UK, the types grown for baking are labelled simply as ‘baking potatoes’, without the variety of the crop, but they will all make good jackets. Any white potato that’s floury in the centre with a thicker skin, such as Maris Piper, King Edward or Desiree is fine to bake. Russets in the US.
- Oil – You don’t have to add oil, but it adds a nice flavoured coating to the skin and helps it to crispy up nicely, and to a good consistency. Go for olive or sunflower oil.
- Salt – Again, this is optional, but it gives a nice bit of seasoning to the skin and a little crunch.
How to make Baked Potatoes in an air fryer: 4 OPTIONS
There are a number of different options for making baked potatoes in the fryer:
OIL & SALT: You don’t have to, but you could rub the potatoes with a little olive or sunflower oil and a pinch of salt before you cook for extra flavour.
SKEWERS: I always put a metal skewer through my jacket potatoes when cooking as the metal conducts the heat and speeds up the cooking on the inside.
MICROWAVE FIRST: If you want to speed up the cooking time, you can pop the potatoes in the microwave until they are just starting to soften (as per the recipe below), before finishing them off in the air fryer to crisp up. ❗️NOTE: Do not put the potatoes in the microwave with the metal skewers in!
STRAIGHT INTO THE AIR FRYER: Or you can keep it simple with one single step. Put the potatoes straight into the machine and leave until cooked!
⬇️ (Full recipe and timings below) ⬇️
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully before serving.
In the freezer You can freeze cooked jacket potatoes, and what’s best is you can reheat them from frozen too!
Wait until they’re totally cold and then put into a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat fully from frozen in the microwave. Ensure they are hot through before serving.
More simple Air Fryer recipes …
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Air Fryer Salmon
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Air Fryer Sausages {Quick & Easy}
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Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
What to serve with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Cheese and beans is the ultimate jacket potato topping and this is my number one choice.
(For our overseas readers, these are baked beans and you can find a homemade version here if you can’t get hold of them in a tin. Grated cheddar and hot beans is an ultimate combination.)
I am also partial to simply butter if I am enjoying a spud as a side with something like Campfire Stew or Chilli Con Carne.
As a lunch or last minute dinner, they’re perfect with Tuna Mayo or Coleslaw, or even Coronation Chicken.
Then there’s my kids’ favourite – served with Slow Cooker Pulled Pork!
FAQs
My air fryer comfortably makes 4 at a time, but add as many as your machine will fit, making sure they comfortably fit with space around each potato.
I find medium-sized potatoes take about 55 minutes at 180°C, but really it depends on how big your potato is. Keep an eye on them after about 45 minutes to check their progress.
No! Trust me, I have tried this and they just burn on the outside before in the inside is cooked through.
Yes, you can, but be prepared for it to take even longer to cook. Also, make sure it’s cooked properly on the inside before serving.
The one in these photos is a Russell Hobbs XXL one.
I’ve tested 3 air fryers now, and while I’m not saying that this one is THE BEST EVER, I’m really happy with it. It’s easy to fit in the dishwasher, not too expensive and has a basket large enough for 4 people.
My classic oven-baked Jacket Potato recipe is here, in case you’d rather cook them this way.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Medium baking potatoes, See notes
- Oil, Sunflower or olive | See notes
- Sea salt, Optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes.
- Wash and dry the potatoes.
- Prick them all over with a fork.
Option 1:
- OIL & SALT: You don’t have to, but you could rub the potatoes with a little olive or sunflower oil and a pinch of salt before you cook for extra flavour.
Option 2:
- SKEWER: Put a metal skewer through the potatoes when cooking as the metal conducts the heat and speeds up the cooking on the inside.
Option 3:
- MICROWAVE FIRST: If you want to speed up the cooking time, you can pop the potatoes in the microwave until they are just starting to soften, before finishing them off in the air fryer to crisp up. Microwave for 5-8 minutes for 1 potato, or 8-10 minutes for 4 potatoes, turn over halfway. Reduce the air fryer time to 15-20 minutes.❗️NOTE: Do NOT put the potatoes into the microwave with the metal skewers in! Add them after microwaving if using.
Option 4:
- STRAIGHT INTO THE AIR FRYER: Or you can keep it simple with one single step. Put the potatoes straight into the machine and leave until cooked!
Finally:
- Cook at 180°C for about 45-55 minutes (or until cooked through). I use regular 'Air Fry' mode but if your air fryer has a specific setting, feel free to use that.
- Turn over halfway through cooking.
- When the potatoes are cooked remove the skewers (if using) and serve immediately with your favourite toppings.
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Nutritional values are per portion unless otherwise stated.
This post was originally published on May 9, 2024 and updated later to make improvements.
New to Air Fryer so just learning but going well so far
Much reassured to read these instructions,
so thank you.
Part microwaving is a great time saver, but I would never have thought of skewering the spuds. Another great tip
Never thought to use my air fryer for these, I won’t go back to using my oven now!
I make my chilli exactly the same as your recipe a d it always tastes exceptional. All the other recipes are also very good, Thank You.
Good advice. Been using similar with McCain frozen potatoes, but cheaper to use baking potatoes. Nice easy recipe!