Once you make baked potatoes in the air fryer, you may not want to turn on the oven again. Let me show you how to make air fryer baked potatoes with crispy skins, fluffy centers, and just a few simple ingredients.
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Check out my Air Fryer Baked Potatoes recipe video below so you can see exactly how easy they are to make. If you enjoy it, please like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer recipes!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
These air fryer baked potatoes are easy to make and come out just right without much fuss. The air fryer does a great job cooking the potatoes evenly while giving the skins a nice crisp texture.
They are also great when you do not want to turn on the oven. I love making them for a simple side dish, but they are filling enough to turn into a whole meal once you add your favorite toppings.
Texture + Flavor
These air fryer baked potatoes get a lovely crispy skin, especially when you use Russet potatoes. The outside has that salty, lightly crisp bite that makes the skin worth eating.
When you cut them open, the inside is soft, hot, and fluffy. Add butter, and it melts right into the middle… so satisfying.
Did You Know: Russet potatoes are one of the best potatoes for baked potatoes because they have a starchy inside that turns light and fluffy when cooked.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Ingredients
• 3 medium Russet potatoes
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, or to taste
Optional toppings:
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Cooked bacon
• Green onions or chives
Equipment
• Air fryer
• Fork
• Tongs
• Clean towel
• Knife
Best Potatoes To Use
My favorite potatoes for this recipe are Russet potatoes. They give you the best baked potato texture, with a crispier skin and a fluffy inside.
Yukon Gold or red potatoes can work too, but they will be a little different. They usually have a creamier center instead of that classic fluffy baked potato texture.
Instructions For Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Step 1: Choose the potatoes
I usually use 3 medium potatoes so the air fryer basket does not get overcrowded. My favorite are Russet potatoes because they work so well for baked potatoes, but Yukon Gold or red potatoes work too. Try to choose potatoes that are about the same size so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Clean and season
I like to eat the potato skins when they get crispy in the air fryer, so I always make sure the potatoes are nice and clean first. Give them a good rinse and dry them well with a towel, because wet skins do not crisp up as nicely.
Then rub the potatoes with 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil or avocado oil and sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. The oil helps the seasoning stick and helps the skin crisp up really nice in the air fryer.
Note: Make sure the potatoes are clean and dry before adding the oil and seasoning, especially if you like eating the crispy skins.
Step 3: Poke the potatoes
Next, using your fork, poke a few holes all around each potato. I forgot to do this the first time I made baked potatoes, and I learned pretty quickly that the steam needs somewhere to go.
You only need a few pokes on each side. The holes let the steam escape while the potatoes cook in the air fryer, so they do not build up too much pressure and split open in a weird way.
Step 4: Add them to the basket
Next, put the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them if you can. If your air fryer basket is small, cook fewer potatoes at a time instead of squeezing in too many. A little space helps the skins crisp better because the air can move around each potato.
Step 5: Air fry and turn
Air fry the potatoes in a preheated air fryer at 400°F, or 200°C, for 30 minutes on one side. After 30 minutes, carefully pull out the basket and use tongs to turn the potatoes over. They will be hot, so do not use your hands.
At this point, I like to add a little more salt because some of it can fall off while the potatoes cook. It also gives the second side a little extra flavor.
Then air fry the potatoes for another 30 minutes, or until they feel tender when you poke them with a fork. The fork should slide in easily without much pressure.
Top Tip: Start checking near the end of the cooking time. Smaller potatoes may finish a little sooner, while larger potatoes may need 5 to 10 extra minutes.
Time And Temperature
Air fry at 400°F, or 200°C, for about 60 minutes, turning halfway.
The exact time depends on the size of your potatoes. Medium potatoes usually take about 55 to 60 minutes. Large potatoes may take closer to 70 minutes.
How To Know The Potatoes Are Done
The easiest way to check is with a fork. If it slides into the center without much pressure, the potatoes are ready.
If the middle still feels firm, keep cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes. No big deal. Potatoes can be a little unpredictable depending on their size.
Related Recipe: If you want to try another air fryer potato recipe, check out my air fryer Hasselback baked potatoes recipe here.
Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe
Once you make baked potatoes in the air fryer, it is hard not to love this method. You get a simple, cozy side dish with very little work, and you do not have to heat up the whole oven.
3
servings10
minutes1
hour185
kcal1
hour10
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
3 medium (650–750 g) Russet potatoes
1½ teaspoons (5–10 ml) olive oil or avocado oil
1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
1/2 teaspoon (1 g) black pepper
Directions
- Clean potatoes thoroughly.
- Rub potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork.
- Place potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook potatoes for 30 minutes, then turn them over.
- Add more salt, if desired, and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Check tenderness with a fork; they should be soft.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
Equipment
Ninja Air FryerCheck it out on Amazon here
Recipe Video
Notes
- Best Potatoes To Use: Russet potatoes work best for this recipe because the skins crisp up well, and the inside turns fluffy. Yukon Gold potatoes also work, but they stay a little more creamy in the middle.
- Easy Equipment Swaps: If you do not have a basket air fryer, you can use an oven-style air fryer too. Just place the potatoes on the tray with a little space between them, and turn them halfway through cooking.
- If Potatoes Feel Firm: If a fork does not slide in easily, the potatoes need more time. Cook them in 5 to 10-minute bursts until the center feels soft all the way through.
- Choose Even Sizes: Pick potatoes that are close to the same size so they finish cooking at the same time. If one potato is much larger, it may need extra time after the smaller ones are done.
- Avoid Foil Wrapping: Do not wrap the potatoes in foil for the air fryer. Foil traps steam around the skin, which keeps it softer instead of crispy.
- Adjust For Large Potatoes: Very large Russet potatoes may need 10 to 15 extra minutes. Start checking around 60 minutes, then add more time as needed.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 3
- Calories: 185kcal
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Protein: 4g
Serving Ideas
I love these with butter, salt, and pepper. Simple and perfect.
You can also load them up with sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon, and green onions. How can you not?! They are great as a side with chicken, steak, soup, chili, or salad.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
• Do not skip drying the potatoes after rinsing. Wet skins do not crisp as well.
• Do not crowd the air fryer basket. The potatoes need space around them.
• Do not forget to poke holes with a fork. Steam needs a way to escape.
• Do not stop cooking too early. If the fork does not slide in easily, they need more time.
Storage
Store leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
They are best fresh, but leftovers are still really good, especially if you reheat them in the air fryer.
Reheating
Reheat the potatoes in the air fryer at 350°F, or 175°C, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until hot in the center.
You can use the microwave if you are in a hurry, but the skin will be softer. The air fryer brings back more of that crispy outside, which I love.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you enjoyed these air fryer baked potatoes, check out more easy air fryer recipes below.
- A Super Easy Way To Make Air Fryer Roast Potatoes! – These roast potatoes come out crispy on the outside and fluffy inside with minimal effort, making them the perfect side dish for any meal.
- Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges | Easy Recipe + Pro Tips – Thick-cut potato wedges cooked until golden and crispy, with simple tips to help you get the best texture every time.
- How To Make Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries – These sweet potato fries are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make in the air fryer for a healthier alternative to deep frying.
And if you try this recipe, leave a comment or question about these air fryer baked potatoes in the comment section below, or in the YouTube video comments. I will try to respond to all the comments and questions!