These air fryer baked potatoes have that crispy skin and tender, fluffy inside, and they are the best baked potatoes!
I confess that the Instant Pot used to be our go-to for baking potatoes. But my go-to just got overturned! As much as I love Instant Pot potatoes, if you want crispy skin, you have to choose another method.
And my new method of choice? Air fryer baked potatoes! 🎉🙌🏻 In my opinion, this is the best way to make baked potatoes.
So why do I like these so much?
(1) You don’t have to wait for an oven to preheat.
(2) It’s energy efficient.
(3) The air fryer doesn’t heat up the entire house like the oven does. This is no small thing in Alabama summers, y’all.😎
And finally (4) This method results in the crispiest skin and the best texture of any baked potato method I have ever used.
Plus, it is just such an easy recipe. Side note: check out ALL my air fryer recipes here.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
First, gather your ingredients.
Ingredients
For tastiest results, always use the best ingredients you have access to. To make this air fryer baked potato recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Potatoes (I am using russets, but yellow potatoes, sweet potatoes, or any potatoes work!)
- Oil – I prefer avocado oil spray, but you can use any oil – olive oil, coconut oil, cooking spray, etc.
- garlic powder
- salt
- favorite toppings of choice – cashew cream, sour cream, butter, cheddar cheese, etc.
Please note that there is no need for aluminum foil! Cooking them without foil crisps the skin better, and leaves you with perfectly fluffy insides.
Prepping air fryer baked potatoes
I start with my favorite type of potato for baking – russets.
I wash and pat them dry. Then I place them in the Air Fryer basket. I give them a light coat of cooking spray.
You can use any type of cooking spray. I am using avocado oil, and it works great. I just rotate the potatoes to be sure and spray them on all sides. This helps crisp up the skin, plus it helps the seasoning to stick to the potato skins.
Seasoning
If you don’t have cooking spray, you can use a little drizzle of oil and just rub to coat the potato skins. I would recommend an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado or even canola.
Next, I sprinkle them generously with sea salt and garlic powder. I use 1/2 teaspoon of each for either 3 or 4 potatoes. I use my hands to spread everything around and make sure it has an even coat.
Air fryer baked potatoes cook time and temperature
So what temperature and how long do you cook air fryer baked potatoes? I cook them in the Air Fryer on 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes. Note: This will vary by potato size!
I did take a peek at them about 25 minutes in to that cook time. The skins were looking pretty brown on top. So I used some tongs and carefully flipped them over.
After forty minutes, mine were perfect!
Yum!!! 😍👌🏻
Tips for Making Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
First, don’t overcrowd the Air Fryer basket. Four medium potatoes would probably be my maximum recommendation. You want to make sure that the skin has enough space to crisp up.
Also, I recommend piercing with a fork first. Although I have made these many times without piercing, it is better to just go ahead and take this proactive step.
When I made my first batch, I remembered that I did not poke holes about half-way through and freaked out a little. And you know what? They did fine! So don’t worry too much if you forget.
Last, different sized potatoes can have different cook times. Small red potatoes, for example, won’t need near as much time. So definitely be aware that you will need to adjust cooking time for the size of the potato. The good news is that you can always put them back in for a few extra minutes.
If you want to try this method with red potatoes or gold potatoes, it will still taste great! Just check them during cooking. They may have a different cook time.
Tools used in this recipe
Note: These are Amazon affiliate links.
- Air Fryer – I am using the Avalon Bay brand
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs are helpful for flipping and removing the potatoes from the basket
Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe
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Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
These air fryer baked potatoes have that crispy skin and tender, fluffy inside, and they are the best baked potatoes!
Ingredients
- 3 russet potatoes (medium sized, scrubbed and rinsed)
- cooking spray (I used avocado oil spray)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (use a bit less if you are using a finer salt, like table salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
-
Place your potatoes in the Air Fryer basket, and spray with cooking spray on both sides.
-
Sprinkle sea salt and garlic on all sides, rotating the potatoes as you got.
-
Use your hands to rub the potatoes to make sure everything gets evenly coated.
-
Cook in the Air Fryer on 400 degrees for about 40 to 50 minutes, until fork tender. (Note: I used tongs to rotate mine after about 25 minutes, as they were getting pretty brown on top.)
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Don’t overcrowd the Air Fryer basket. 4 medium potatoes would probably be my maximum recommendation. You want to make sure that the skin has enough space to crisp up and that the potatoes all lie flat (not stacked on top of each other).
Different sized potatoes can have different cook times. The good news is that you can always put them back in for a few extra minutes.
If you want to try this method with red potatoes or gold potatoes, it will still taste great! Just check them during cooking. They may have a different cook time.
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
michele h says
Odd question – but I would love to make these at home and be able to take it to work with me the next day. Do you think it would reheat ok in microwave or should I just do the entire process in microwave, even though it isn’t as good that way.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Michele! They’s reheat fine in the microwave. The skin won’t be quite as crisp as fresh out of the air fryer, but it’ll still be good. Enjoy!
Mandy says
For taking to work I wrap the potato in tinfoil and a towel. Put them in first then do all my am stuff. Then grab my container of toppings, drink, and my wrapped up potato and go. By lunch it’s still warm and only needs minimal heating in microwave if any.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
That is good to know, Mandy.👌🏻 Thanks for chiming in. I am so glad you are enjoying it❤️
June says
I usually do jacket potatoes in the microwave for 5 to 7 mins then into a hot high oven. Could I do this then place in air fryer for less time? Also can you fill with beans or cheese or both, if so how long in air fryer?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi June! Yes, many commenters have said they microwave first to speed up the process. I have never tried the filling, so I can’t say for sure how/if that would work.
PATRICK A MOWERY says
this was by far the WORST way to make a baked potato!!! the inside was hard as a rock,..40 minutes my foot! that was a complete waste of my time!!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Patrick. I am sorry your potato did not turn out. It has a simple fix, though – just cook it a little longer. That’s the great thing about the air fryer. Very easy to check and adapt. My guess is that you used a potato on the larger side. Those would definitely need a bit more cook time.👌🏻
Lucy Patricia Boby says
My Friend has an Air Fryer,I asked her about it,where she bought it prices etc. and about recipes,
She was so helpful…..
So tomorrow I am buying one of these magical cooking devices.
I love the easiness of using the Air….and delighted to discover that all our favourite recipes
can be cooked in it…..in a healthier way.
We live in Spain and use some delicious recipes,fruit and vegetables and meat are plentiful,fresh…. and good prices.
Cant wait…….
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Lucy! I hope you enjoy it.💖
Shelly says
I made the baked potatoes in my new air fryer and they turned out great and crispy. Although they took a little longer than the recipe said. I will definitely do them again in the air fryer.
Kelli says
I am always looking for a single stake or a single potato or a single anything recipe. Everything is always in multiples. I can’t find any for single items anywhere so frustrating
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Kelli. You can make one potato using these instructions in the original recipe.👌🏻 I do it all the time. Also, in all of my recipe cards, you can use the slider on the number of serving to adjust the number of servings. Enjoy!
Susan Zeke says
Hi there I usually cut my potatoes in half and place sliced onions in the centre with butter when using the bbq. Would it changed the texture/results of these baked taters using your recipe if I were to do the same in the air fryer?
Susan
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yum! I’ve never tried this, but it sounds delicious! I see no reason why it wouldn’t work. Enjoy!
Linette Arnold says
You mentioned yours were flakey but I like the insides kind of creamy. Suggestions?
Nicole Johnson says
Mix in butter and sour cream after they are split. 😉
Michelle McCallion says
My first time trying this! When you put them in the air fryer, do you put them in as bake or as air fryer? Sorry. Newbie!!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay! I just use the air fry setting for the whole time.👌🏻
Lisa says
Thank you for your answer, I was trying the recipe for the first time and wondered the same thing and it’s nice to go into these notes for more information. I’ll let you know how they turned out. I decided to try this late in the day when I was looking for a salmon recipe so I cooked the potatoes in the microwave for about 5 minutes so I could cut the cooking time to 20 minutes. Not sure that’ll be enough time for two medium to large russets.
Like you said it’s easy to cook them longer if necessary.
Also I just bought the instant pot duo so it’s the first time with this air fryer. So far so good. When I turned them over at 10 minutes the skin was crisping up already. Thanks for your recipes, I have a feeling I’ll be looking to you for ideas.
Laura says
Tried your method for the first time today and it turned out AMAZEBALLS!!! 😍😍😍 Adjusted the cooking time for a bit longer like you recommended and absolutely loved how the skin got so crispy and the inside was soooooo fluffy!!! 😍😍😍😍😍Will definitely be using this method often. Used Cajun spice on the skin with butter and chives. Thanks for sharing.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Laura!🥰🙌🏻 Oh I bet cajun seasoning on the skin was delicious! I am going to have to try that.
Lisa Sparks says
I’m a brand new air fryer “chef”, lol, and omg these potatoes are so good!!!! Never thought to put garlic on them before! The skins are so crispy, and being a potato skin eater, yummmmmm!!! Curious what part of Alabama you’re in? My family on my dads side is from Walker County, lived in Jasper for 5 years.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Lisa! I am in the suburbs of Birmingham – North Shelby county area.👌🏻 Small world!