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.
Michael Stohler says
I bake two potatoes at a time in my air fryer. Are use 400°F and 40 minutes. I save one for the next day, but eat one as soon as it’s ready. The skin is a little tough, but I like it. However, the inside is still very hard. When I eat the second one, the inside is nice and soft. How can I make the inside soft on the one that I’m going to eat at that time?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Michael! Were your potatoes 2 different sizes perhaps? If you are cooking really large potatoes, this would require a cook time that would likely burn/ toughen the skin. One alternative is to give large potatoes a couple minutes in the microwave first to give it a head start. Alternatively, you could cut it in half and air fry per the instructions. The cut side may get a little well-done, but you could kind of eat around that if it is not to your liking. I prefer to just stick to smaller-ish potatoes for simplicity. Hope those tips help!
KT says
Hey, THANK you for this! I have the Instant Pot Air Fryer LID which only heats to a temp of 380 degrees. So, it took a bit longer (between 15-20 minutes), but the potatoes were perfect!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay KT!❤️ Glad you enjoyed it.
Scott says
Making a variation of baked potatoes tonight, pretty much what you have posted. Adding sour cream, topped with bacon bits and thinly sliced jalapenos (crispy as well), covered with cheese and tabasco sauce to finish it off. Thanks for the cooking time, always forget so have this bookmarked to pop in and check. I call this a cheat meal, given not the healthiest.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I’m glad you enjoyed it Scott!
Mike says
There is a quicker way to do these and for my money they are actually better – the skin is not as charred and tough and the flesh is still soft and fluffy. The method? Poke a few small holes in either side of the spud (a fork is ideal) then cook in the microwave on full power for about 4-5 mins depending on the size of the potato.
In the meantime heat the airfryer to 200 deg c (is that 400 F? We don’t do Farenheit where I’m from).
When finished in the microwave spray with rice bran oil and add salt and pepper, garlic powder or whatever you like (i.e: same as this recipe) and then cook for about 12 mins per side.
Same result but less time 🙂
Each to their own though – I understand mine is a variation and everyone has their own preference so I respect however anyone else chooses to do it 🙂
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Thanks for the tips Mike! And for anybody else reading: this would be particularly useful for larger potatoes that require longer cook time.
Nic says
Might be quicker, but if you don’t have a microwave, like me, this recipe is perfect.
Kim says
I’ve been doing baked potatoes in the microwave forever just to save time, but I never thought to try the air fryer! I’m sure they come out crispier, more like they do in the oven. I’m trying this method the next time I make them for sure!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I hope you enjoy it Kim!
Teena says
Perfect! 20 minutes per side. Thank you.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Teena!!🙌🏻
Rose says
I have a Drew Barrymore “Beautiful ” double air fryer. It easily accommodates 7 potatoes. Should I increase cooking time?
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Hi Rose! No need to alter cook time for more potatoes. As long as they are not crowded in there, and the air can circulate, you are good.
Sharon Davidson says
How long to air fry a one pound russet?
Monica says
I’d say about 40 minutes 20 minutes on each side..
CHRISTINE MITCHELL says
I was so excited to try baked potatoes in my air fryer. The flesh was indeed nice and fluffy. However, the skins were brick had not just crispy. Could it be the salt or I cooked them too long? Please help! X
Steph says
This is what I assumed would happen I would imagine you would have to use the bake or roast setting on the air fryer & not actually “air fry” button at this temp/duration. The thing is no one ever says what setting when they do these recipes. I wish they said bake them in your air fryer on the bake setting or roast etc. 🙁
Jeremy E Summa says
I coat my potatoes thoroughly with olive oil and tons of salt it makes it crispy but not a brick
zidane says
thank you for the recipe