Air fryer baked potatoes come out with crispy, salt-crusted skin and fluffy insides in 30-40 minutes, instead of the usual hour-plus oven marathon. They’re ready in half the time and turn out even fluffier than traditional oven-baked spuds!
The high heat and constant air circulation create that perfect contrast between crispy skin and creamy interior that takes forever in a regular oven. Plus, I love that you’re not heating up your entire kitchen for one side dish.
Baked potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes because they are super easy to make, filling, inexpensive, and hands-off. However, since most nights I want dinner on the table in 30-45 minutes, I don’t have time to bake potatoes in the oven on a regular basis. Now I just use the air fryer and wonder why I ever waited around for the oven!
This recipe gives you restaurant-quality baked potatoes in the time it takes to prepare the rest of dinner. You’ll get perfectly crispy skin that actually cracks open when you squeeze it, revealing fluffy potato goodness inside.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to make the perfect air fryer baked potato, including my favorite tips for getting that restaurant-quality result at home. Whether you’re serving these as a quick side dish or loading them up for a main course, this method is about to become the only way you bake potatoes.
Looking for more air fryer potato sides? Try air fryer hasselback potatoes, air fryer smashed potatoes, or air fryer baby potatoes.
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Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Baking potatoes: Choose Russet potatoes that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly. I usually pick medium-sized ones that are about 4-5 inches long.
- Oil
- Salt: I prefer to use kosher salt here because the larger crystals provide a restaurant-style, crunchy exterior.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Start by washing your potatoes thoroughly under cool running water. Dry them completely with a clean kitchen towel.
- Place the oil in a small bowl. Using your hands, massage the oil all over the surface of each potato. This is messy but worth it!
- Sprinkle kosher salt evenly over each potato, rotating to coat all sides.
- Arrange the potatoes in your air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook for 30 minutes.
- Check if they’re done by inserting a fork – it should slide in easily. Or, if you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should be around 205°F. The skin should be crispy and golden brown.
- If needed, return them to the air fryer for an additional 10 minutes. Some larger potatoes need this extra time.
Serving Ideas
These are a fabulous weeknight side. Additionally, my family enjoys turning these air fryer baked potatoes into a complete meal by topping them with leftovers like chili or stew. It is a great way to make leftovers go farther.
Here are some of my other favorite ways to serve them:
- Classic loaded potato style with butter, sour cream, cheese, and crispy bacon bits.
- For a healthier option, top with Greek yogurt, chives, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
- Make it a meal by adding leftover chili and shredded cheddar on top
- Keep it simple with just butter and salt (this is my weeknight go-to.)
- Go steakhouse-style with sautéed mushrooms and a bit of garlic butter
How to Store
Even though these air fryer baked potatoes are incredibly quick to make, I sometimes cook extra for meal prep. To store them, wrap each one individually in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
My favorite thing to do with leftover potatoes is to turn them into twice-baked potatoes. Or you can return the potatoes to the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them, but the skin won’t be as crispy.
Tips & Tricks
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Use medium-sized russet potatoes – they’re the best for baking! Try to pick ones that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly. Plus they have more starch in them, which makes them perfect for absorbing all those tasty baked potato toppings, like butter, sour cream and chives.
- Make sure to dry the potatoes after washing. Excess moisture prevents that crispy skin.
- Leave some room between those potatoes in your air fryer basket. Proper air circulation is key to even cooking.
- I like to add the olive oil because it makes the skin extra crispy and tasty. It also makes extra seasoning, like salt stick to the potatoes better. But if you want to cut your fat intake down to a bare minimum you can leave the oil off.
- If you are watching your sodium intake use other herbs or spices on the potatoes if you like, such as rosemary, parsley or freshly ground black pepper.
- Love potatoes? Make a baked potato bar for your next party!
Reader Questions
The most reliable way is to use an instant-read thermometer; you’re looking for a temperature of 205°F. No thermometer? No problem! Just poke the potato with a fork – if it slides in easily, you’re good to go. If there’s resistance, give it another 10 minutes.
Absolutely! That’s one thing I love about using the air fryer: it’s perfect for cooking a single potato. Just follow the same instructions and timing.
Unlike traditional oven baking, you don’t need to prick the skin when air frying. I’ve made these countless times without poking holes, and they turn out perfectly.
While I typically use olive oil, any cooking oil with a high smoke point works well. Avocado oil is another great option I’ve used when I’m out of olive oil.
If your potatoes are dry, they might be overcooked. Remember to check them at the 30-minute mark – every air fryer can cook slightly differently.
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Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 baking potatoes
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry the potatoes.3 baking potatoes
- Put the oil in a bowl and rub it on the potatoes.½ tablespoon olive oil
- Spinkle salt over the potatoes.½ tablespoon Kosher salt
- Put the potatoes in an air fryer basket, leaving space around them for air to circulate.
- Test for the potatoes doneness by seeing if a fork goes into them easily. Or check the temperature with an instant read thermometer. They are done if they are at about 205 F.
- Put them back in for another 10 minutes if necessary.
Video
Notes
- Medium-sized Russet potatoes – they’re the best for baking! Try to pick ones that are
- similar in size so they’ll cook evenly.
- Make sure to dry the potatoes after washing. Excess moisture prevents that crispy skin.Leave some room between those potatoes in your air fryer basket. Proper air circulation is key to even cooking.
- This is a great way to make one single baked potato for dinner.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Do you pierce the potatoes before air frying as you would when baking in oven or microwave?
Yeys
I don’t pierce them.
I would like to know about piercing the potatoes also.
Piercing them isn’t necessary.
Do you have to make slits in potatoes like you do for the oven
It seems there’s people saying both yes and no, but If you’ve ever cleaned up an exploded potato, well, personally I’d err on the side of caution and give it just a few pokes
i have read on another recipe that yes you poke a hole in them with a fork
I never poke a hole in them, but it won’t hurt anything!
You don’t have to.
We use Maris Piper potatoes. prick and cook in the microwave for 5 mins on high. Then air fry for 20 mins, perfect.
Sorry on my comments I made a typo. We cook them in the air fryer for 60 mins, not 20. Sorry.
60 min. Seems like a long time. I just microwave them!
Yup! 6 min in there!
Only wanna tell that this is very useful , Thanks for taking your time to write this.