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.
raymond moen says
Trying baked potato in air fryer tonight.Also having baked pork chops with sourkraut. Can’t wait to eat. Thank you for recipe
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Enjoy!👍🏻
Roxane Wyler says
Did you use the air fry setting or the bake setting? My air fryer has a setting for both. Thanks!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Just regular air fry setting👌🏻
Ashley says
I’m not trying to be rude in any way. I just thought I’d let you know. It is still best to poke holes in the potatoes. The reason for doing so is to allow steam to escape so they don’t explode. Other than that, wonderful recipe. I have some baking now, and made extra for lunch tomorrow. I don’t know why I never thought to add garlic powder!
Matt says
You don’t have to poke holes in them at all. Unlike an oven or microwave, the potatoes don’t explode.
Lare says
First time using my Gowise Air Fryer for a baked potato. I only used one potato and it turned out perfect following your recipe at 400F for 40 minutes, turning half way through. Threw on some butter, cheese, bacon bits, onion and sour cream. Delicious! Thank you for the recipe.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Lare! Happy to hear that.🙌🏻
Valorie Joy says
Thank you! I followed everything you said to do and-wow-best ever. I forgot to flip but still perfect.
I used Avocado Oil and rubbed the sea salt and garlic onto them which covered them thoroughly.
Thanks for the high heat oil suggestion!
Cordis Bishop says
I need a very large air fryer that would be under $200 and I need it to bake excellent potatoes and cornbread
Stormy says
I have a air fryer that I got at Walmart brand new for less than $40. I’ve cooked large portions in it too. I love it. Doesn’t take up a lot of space and makes perfect french fries, roasted meats, anything! And corn dogs! Perfect every time!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am glad to hear you are enjoying yours!
Marilyn Martin says
I have a kalorik air fryer and it’s $150. Works great!
Scott Gold says
First thing I made in my new GoWise air fryer. Had never used an air fryer before. I made two russet potatoes, so I’d have an extra one for another day. This receipe was perfect. I used two medium russet potatoes, 40 minutes at 400, turning half way through. The oil and coarse salt tasted delicious on the crispy potato skin. Thanks for the great receipe!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Scott! Thank you for taking the time to circle back and leave a rating.🙏🏻
Annette Quadling says
Absolutely perfect! What a nice alternative to heating up the kitchen in the summer time! Thank you!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay, Annette!💖
Diane Rider says
Delicious! This is my new favorite way of doing potatoes
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am glad to hear you enjoyed it, Diane💖
Michael Cotton says
I made my girlfriend these potatoes tonight said she was hun6after we at cabagand fried chicken for supper she continued to tell me how good the potatoe was and ask are you gonna eat your skin I said no just the good stuff inside she my skin and hers lol..
Nicola says
Hi,
Do you need to poke the potatoes with a fork before cooking them in the air fryer?
Eyda says
Just did some and I’m in Heaven lol
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Yay Eyda!!
Linda L. says
Totally worth the 40 minutes. I will never microwave or heat the oven again. Taste and texture were beyond any baked potatoes I’ve ever had.
Leets says
These turned out great! I also used russet and baked at 400 for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. I will definitely be doing my baked potatoes like this in the future. Thanks for the tip!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I am so glad to hear that!🙌🏻