When I need side dishes to round out my meal, but I don’t have time to wait for the oven to preheat, I turn to my air fryer. Dishes such as air fryer asparagus and air fryer french fries are always a hit, and air fryer baked potatoes are also a must-make.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
All you need to make this air fryer baked potatoes recipe is raw whole Russet potatoes, olive oil and kosher salt. It couldn’t be easier! These potatoes are perfect with some of my favorite dinner recipes like Steak Diane, pan seared salmon and London broil. This recipe is also great for making a holiday side dish without using an oven.
How Do You Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes?
To make air fryer baked potatoes, start by scrubbing the potatoes until they’re clean, then prick them a few times with a fork. Brush olive oil onto the potatoes, then add a generous sprinkle of salt. Preheat the air fryer, then cook the potatoes until the outsides are crispy and the insides are tender, about 40 minutes. Let the potatoes cool for a few minutes, until you are able to handle them. Next, cut the potatoes down the center with a sharp knife. Pull the sides apart and fluff the inside of the potato with a fork. Add any toppings of your choice, then serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
I typically choose Russet potatoes for this recipe. It is fine to use other types of potatoes such as red or Yukon gold varieties. That being said, this recipe is written for Russet potatoes, which tend to be larger than other varieties. If you go with a smaller potato, such as a red potato, you’ll want to reduce the cooking time accordingly. If you’re using larger or small potatoes than the size called for in this recipe, you will need to adjust the air frying time up or down accordingly. If you cannot fit 4 potatoes in the air fryer basket without them touching, cook them in batches. I find that air fryer baked potatoes are best when served immediately. The crispy skin will eventually soften as they cool. Leftover potatoes will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat your leftover potatoes in the air fryer to crisp the skin back up. You want to be sure to not overcrowd your air fryer. If the potatoes are touching, the air will not circulate well and the skins may not get crispy.
Air Fryer Baked Potato Toppings
The great thing about air fryer baked potatoes is that they are a neutral canvas for a huge variety of your favorite toppings.
Protein: Turn your baked potatoes into a hearty meal. Top them with a serving of bacon, diced ham, shredded pulled pork or chicken, cooked ground beef or even Italian sausage. Vegetables: Serve up some veggie packed potatoes by adding sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, cabbage or zucchini. Fresh diced tomatoes are also a great choice. Dairy: I often top my potato with sour cream, butter, shredded cheese, or a combination of the three! Choose a cheese that melts well such as cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, fontina cheese, Swiss cheese or mozzarella cheese. Seasonings: Potatoes are great with added sauces or spices! Some good options include garlic powder, pepper, ranch dressing, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, nacho cheese sauce or even taco seasoning. Herbs: Offer some sort of fresh herbs to finish off your creation such as chives, basil, parsley, dill or sliced green onions. Chili: You can top baked potatoes with chili like my Instant Pot chili, vegetarian chili or beef chili.
These air fryer baked potatoes pair perfectly with chicken, beef or pork, and are always a crowd pleaser!
