CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 40 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 3 potatoes

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Last updated on March 7, 2024

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This Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe is incredibly crispy on the outside, fluffy and creamy on the inside, and couldn’t be easier! Simply seasoned and perfect for your favorite toppings.

New to the air fryer? Check out my Best Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners!

CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Table of Contents

  • How to make an Air Fryer Baked Potato:
  • Should I wrap my baked potatoes in foil?
  • Do I need to prick my potatoes before air frying?
  • Is it faster to bake a potato in the oven or air fryer?
  • How to reheat Air Fryer Baked Potatoes:
  • How do I know when a baked potato is cooked through?
  • What can I do with leftover baked potatoes?
  • Baked Potato Toppings:
  • Other things to serve with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes:
  • Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe Recipe

All right, here’s the truth.

Baked potatoes aren’t really something I crave. Give me these Roasted Potatoes, give me a big bowl of these Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, give me the entire pan of these Scalloped Potatoes instead.

Baked potatoes?

They just never seemed very special, until I made them in the Air Fryer.

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes have a few things going for them: they are super easy and mostly hands off (no watching or flipping or stressing).

They have the crispiest skin of any baked potatoes I’ve ever eaten, with a perfectly fluffy interior to match.

Pop it open and drop a dollop of salted butter inside with some cheese and crispy bacon?

Heaven. Especially when they’re served with this JUICY Air Fryer Chicken Breast, topped with some Crockpot Shredded Chicken and barbecue sauce, or with a pile of this Instant Pot Whole Chicken.

Let me show you how to make them!

No Air Fryer? Check out my oven Baked Potato recipe.

How to make an Air Fryer Baked Potato:

  1. Start with russet potatoes — they are the must-have potato for classic baked potatoes, but other potatoes cooked in this fashion will still be delicious.
  2. Wash and dry potatoes thoroughly — potatoes need a good scrub before you consume them, but things that are wet don’t crisp up. So we need to wash them well and then dry them thoroughly with a towel.
  3. Oil and season — while water won’t brown, oil is going to give us that incredibly crispy golden skin that cracks when we slice it. Rub the potatoes all over with canola oil (it has a high smoke point) or olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
  4. Preheat your air fryer if needed — I always set mine to temperature for about 5-8 minutes before I want to put the food in so it goes in hot. We don’t want our food to sit in limbo while the air fryer heats up.
  5. Cook — put the potatoes in the air fryer basket, slide it in and cook for about 40 minutes. The exact cook time will depend on the size of your potatoes, but the great thing about the air fryer is that you can pull the basket out and check earlier if your potatoes are small, or you can turn it on for another 5-10 minutes if you find they’re not quite done.
CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (4)
CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (5)
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CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (7)

Should I wrap my baked potatoes in foil?

No!

Wrapping potatoes creates a steamy environment and the best part of an Air Fryer Baked Potato is that crispy skin.

Skip the foil, and save yourself a few extra minutes of prep, too!

Do I need to prick my potatoes before air frying?

It’s up to you.

When the steam in the potatoes tries to escape, it can cause your potatoes to “explode” or burst a hole out the side.

I don’t, and I haven’t had issues with mine exploding.

That being said, it’s an easy thing to do and won’t change your finished results, so if you are worried about it, you can definitely grab a fork and poke a hole into each one.

CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (8)

Is it faster to bake a potato in the oven or air fryer?

The air fryer is much faster! This is one thing I love about my air fryer — it’s quicker to preheat and it cooks much more quickly, too!

While making a baked potato in the oven can take an hour or longer, these air fryer baked potatoes take just about 40-45 minutes.

How to reheat Air Fryer Baked Potatoes:

I prefer reheating these air fryer potatoes the same way I cooked them — in the air fryer!

This will only take about 5-10 minutes at 400 degrees F, depending on how hot and crispy you want them. I recommend drying any condensation on a paper towel before reheating.

How do I know when a baked potato is cooked through?

The easiest way to check is with a sharp knife — it should slide in and out smoothly and pretty easily if it is cooked.

What can I do with leftover baked potatoes?

There are so many things! Use them to make this Breakfast Potatoes for a weekend breakfast, or chop them up and use them in this Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole.

You can also stir them into this easy Potato Soup recipe, Ham and Potato Soup or Crockpot Potato Soup — simply leave out the potatoes until the end.

Baked Potato Toppings:

  • shredded cheddar cheese or another favorite cheese
  • sliced green onions
  • salted butter
  • crispy cooked bacon
  • sour cream
  • Minced fresh onions
  • Chives and other fresh, chopped herbs
  • Prepared tomato salsa
  • Queso
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Crispy fried onions
  • Prepared chili
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Other things to serve with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes:

If your air fryer potatoes are a side dish, here are a few ideas for a main:

  • Perfect Roast Chicken — throw it in the oven while your potatoes cook!
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs — for a quick-prep meal
  • Italian Beef — tender, juicy and full of flavor!
  • Roasted Pork Tenderloin — cooked to perfection

CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (10)

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Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 40 votes

This Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe is incredibly crispy on the outside, fluffy and creamy on the inside, and couldn't be easier! Simply seasoned and perfect for your favorite toppings.

CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (12)

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Review

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Air fryer, Side Dish

Servings 3 potatoes

Calories 292cal

Ingredients

  • 3 russet potatoes (mine were 300 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • salt and pepper

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F according to manufacturer directions if required.

  • Wash and dry potatoes thoroughly.

  • Rub all over with oil and season well with salt and pepper.

  • Place in the basket of the air fryer, place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 40 minutes (a little less if your potatoes are smaller than mine, a little more if your potatoes are larger than mine).

  • Check doneness be inserting a knife into the center of the potatoes — if it goes in and comes out easily, they are done. If it seems to get stuck, give them 5-10 more minutes.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1potato | Calories: 292cal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

Keywords air fryer baked potato, air fryer baked potatoes

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CRISPY Air Fryer Baked Potato - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

How to make crispy in air fryer? ›

However, a small amount of oil is usually necessary to achieve a crispy texture. A drizzle or a quick oil spray is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken, while other foods don't need any oil, like pizza or leftovers you might reheat.

Why are potatoes soggy in airfryer? ›

Once you've washed your spuds you need to dry them thoroughly. If you don't then excess moisture can seep into your potato while it's being cooked and result in a soggy skin.

Why soak potatoes for air fryer? ›

While it may seem like a pain, soaking the potatoes in hot water for 10 minutes prior to cooking them in the air fryer is essential. The water removes excess starch, allowing the fries to be their crispiest. Instead of soaking them in large bowl of cold water, I like to use hot water to cook the potatoes slightly.

Is air frying potatoes faster than baking? ›

A 10-ounce potato took 40 to 45 minutes to get tender and crisp, whereas a potato baked in the oven took about 1 hour. Crisper skin: The skin of the air fryer baked potato became considerably crispier.

How do I get crispy results in my air fryer? ›

Add a Small Amount of Oil and Place in Basket

While we wish it were possible to fry without any oil, air fryers do need a little oil to make your food crispy (but you'll use a lot less than a traditional fryer).

Why doesn't my food get crispy in the air fryer? ›

The foods are too wet

Deep fryers can expel moisture from foods like batters, but an air fryer isn't capable of that, Mumford says. “Don't put in limp, wet veggies and expect a miracle. Instead, an air fryer should be used to quickly crisp up already breaded or crunchy foods,” he says.

Why don't my potatoes get crispy in the air fryer? ›

Don't forget to give the potatoes a thorough wash/scrub. Avoid Cooking Spray – Aersol cooking sprays will damage the coating of your air fryer basket. Tossing the potatoes in olive oil keeps them from sticking. Don't overcrowd the basket – the potatoes need room for the air to circulate and crisp up properly.

How long does it take for a potato to get soft in the air fryer? ›

Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Rub potatoes with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. Place potatoes in the air fryer basket. Cook in the preheated air fryer until potatoes are soft, 40 to 50 minutes, depending on potato size.

Why are potatoes not cooking in an air fryer? ›

Not preheating the air fryer

Air fryers might not serve quite the same function as a traditional oven, but they have a fair amount of crossover in how they operate. For instance, preheating your air fryer much the same way you'd preheat your oven might be the secret to ensuring a crispy, savory potato.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes before frying? ›

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

Why are my air fried potatoes dry? ›

In theory, you can cook in the air fryer without using oil, but the resulting food could potentially be dry in texture. I like to use about a tablespoon of oil when cooking in the air fryer, so that these potatoes get nice and golden, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Should you boil potatoes before baking? ›

Not necessary but this can help get the perfect consistency and crispiness. Make sure you boil them but leave them a bit al dente and they will crisp up perfectly in the oven.

Is it better to cook baked potatoes in the air fryer or microwave? ›

I made a baked potato in the microwave, air fryer, and oven to test the different cooking methods. The microwave ended up being the least reliable method, and the oven results were just OK. Out of all three cooking methods, the air fryer was the best by far.

Is it healthier to air fry potatoes? ›

One study shows that air frying lowers the amount of acrylamide in fried potatoes by 90%. Some things about air frying may not be better for you, though.

Is it better to air fry or bake? ›

Which is better between air frying vs. oven baking? Air-frying is a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods, but oven-baking often preserves good nutrients while filtering out the bad ones, making oven-baked foods even healthier than most air-fried foods.

How do you crisp fried food in an air fryer? ›

The general tip for reheating leftovers in the air fryer is:
  1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C.
  2. Place the food in the air fryer basket.
  3. Cook at 350°F/175°C for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the food is crispy to your liking and comes to temperature.

How do you make crispy batter in an air fryer? ›

During the air frying process, if you pull out the chicken and notice any dry flour spots on the chicken, spray those spots lightly with oil. The breading will never crisp up if it doesn't have a tiny bit of oil to hydrate it. It will just burn.

Can you get crispy crackling in air fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer to 160°C then place the pork belly in the air fryer & cook for 30 minutes. Next, increase the temperature up to 200°C & air fry for an additional 10 minutes or until the crackling is crisp. Leave to rest for 10 minutes in a warm place before carving.

What makes food Crispier air fryer or oven? ›

An air fryer rapidly circulates heated air throughout the cooking cavity, helping to remove surface moisture from food and create a crispy exterior. Conventional, non-convection ovens use heating elements on the top and bottom of the cooking cavity, leaving the air fairly static.

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