Air Fryer Baked Potatoes have a crisp, salty skin with a tender, fluffy, and perfectly cooked center – it’s the quickest and easiest cooking method for a perfect baked potato.
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Helpful Reader Review
“By far the BEST baked potatoes ever. Thank you! I can hardly wait to get them out of the air fryer and slather them with sour cream and chives. Yum Yum!” – Ryan ★★★★★
Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe
My love of potatoes runs deep. First, from my heritage because potatoes are the backbone of Ukrainian cuisine, and second, I live in Idaho – which is famous for potatoes. I have a giant collection of potato recipes to prove it!
My family loves baked potatoes paired with Pan-Seared Steak or Meatloaf. For a bigger crowd, I love making a baked potato bar with all the fixings, but baked potatoes can take a while to cook in the oven. I started cooking them in the air fryer, and it’s so much faster, with perfect results every time!
I’ve converted a lot of our favorite recipes to the air fryer as life gets busier. The air fryer can cut your cooking time in half and provide super crispy results like our Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Bacon. You also don’t have to wait for the air fryer to preheat like you would with an oven.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
This easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes recipe uses only 3 basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Potatoes – We recommend using Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes. You’ll want to make sure all your potatoes are the same size for even cooking, and be sure to clean the potato under running water before cooking it because those potato skins are delicious!
- Oil – The oil is what gives the skin its crispiness, and so we use olive oil for this recipe. You can easily use cooking spray instead of oil.
- Salt – We like to add fine sea salt to the potatoes for flavor, but you can use the salt you have on hand.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
You’ll have moist-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside Air Fryer Baked Potatoes in just three simple steps! I love the tasty results every time!
- Prep – Clean the potatoes with a brush and water and then dry. Poke all over 4-5 times with a fork so steam can escape while cooking – this is important to ensure the potatoes don’t burst while air frying.
- Oil and salt – Rub the potatoes in oil and salt so that all sides of the potatoes are coated, and then place in the air fryer basket. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer – you want the air to circulate evenly around the potatoes.
- Air Fry – Cook in a Basket-style Air Fryer at 400˚F or a Toaster-style Air Fryer at 375°F (since it runs a little hotter) for about 35-45 minutes (flipping halfway). Cook until a knife easily pierces through the center. The timing will depend on the size and thickness of your potatoes – see the time chart below for reference.
Pro Tip: Ditch the foil
You may have heard to wrap potatoes in foil to cook–but there’s no need! Foil steams the potato flesh and keeps the skin from crisping.
Air Fryer Baked Potato Time Chart
Small potatoes will take less time, while larger and thicker potatoes will take longer. If your potatoes need a longer cooking time, just return the basket to the air fryer and cook another 3-5 minutes at a time. Here are some timing guidelines for the air fryer:
- 7 oz = 35 minutes
- 8 oz = 40 minutes
- 9 oz+ = 45-50 minutes
How Do You Know When a Baked Potato Is Done?
The cooking time of the baked potato will vary slightly depending on the size of the potato and your air fryer machine.
- Poke Test – Cook until you can easily pierce into the center of the potatoes with a knife without resistance.
- Feels Soft to the Squeeze – use an oven mitt to squeeze the potato – it should give slightly when squeezed.
- Internal Temperature – the potato should reach 205˚F to 210˚F on a thermometer.
Toppings for Baked Potatoes
When we’re serving potatoes as the main event, I love building a baked potato bar with all the fixings. The topping options are endless:
- Classic – Top with butter, sour cream and chives
- Bacon bits (Make your own Air Fryer Bacon)
- Shredded cheese – Mexican or cheddar
- Seasoning – Salt, pepper, everything bagel
- Salsa – Pico de Gallo or Homemade Salsa
- Jalapeño – sliced or diced
- Protein – Pulled Pork, Carnitas,
- Chili – Slow Cooker Chili or Turkey Chili
Helpful Reader Review
“I made this tonight adding shrimp as an extra topping…these were lovely. Very creamy on the inside, a hit with the family definitely a keeper” – Lucylu ★★★★★
How to Cut Open a Baked Potato
Baked potatoes are best served when they are hot and fresh and here’s the correct way to pop open a baked potato. Slice lengthwise across the top without going all the way to the edges and without going all the way through. Use your fingers to gently press on the ends of the potato to open it up.
Storing and Reheating
Baked Potatoes are great to make ahead since they keep well in the fridge and reheat nicely. Let them cool completely and then place them in a covered container.
- To Refrigerate: store covered for 3-5 days in the fridge
- Freezing: wrap each potato separately to avoid freezer burn, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, and cook them right from frozen. The texture may be less fluffy after freezing.
- To Reheat: cook potatoes in the air fryer at 400 until heated or use a microwave
What to Do with Leftover Baked Potatoes?
I have so many genius ways to use leftover baked potatoes, and some of them might surprise you, and you’ll hope for leftovers after seeing this list. It’s brilliant for meal prep!
- Gnocchi
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Smashed Potato Salad
- Pierogi
- Creamy Potato Salad
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Potato Soup
Air fryer baked potatoes are so satisfying, especially when they are loaded up with all the fixings. The air fryer makes this recipe simple to make and faster than heating up the oven. And I love the crispiness of the skin! I’d love to hear how you like cooking potatoes in the air fryer and about your favorite toppings in the comments.
Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes, 7-9 oz*
- ½ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, or use a cooking spray
Instructions
- Scrub potatoes under running water then thoroughly dry with a towel.
- Poke the potato all over with a fork, 4-5 times, rub with oil and sprinkle all over with salt. Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket.
- Cook the potatoes in a Basket-style air fryer at 400°F or Toaster-Style Air Fryer at 375°F for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway. Cook time will depend on the size of your potatoes. Air Fry until easily pierced with a knife. Use tongs to transfer potatoes to a plate.
Notes
- 7 oz = 35 minutes
- 8 oz = 40 minutes
- 9 oz+ = 45-50 minutes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Jalapeno Poppers (Baked or Air Fried)
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Salmon
I have an air fryer but it sucks, please tell me the brank name of your air fryer…
Hi Michelle! See step 3 in that recipe card. Click on the bold words, they are links. I linked both the basket style and toaster style.
I used your recipe. It was amazing! The best baked potato ever! Thanks a bunch for sharing.
You’re very welcome!
From Idaho too!! Love these air fryer baked potatoes. So fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Just got my potato in the air fryer, prepped exactly as you’ve written, can hardly wait! I concur with Tracy! Thank you so very much, for thinking of us folks with a ‘toaster oven style’ air fryer! 😘 I’m still learning how to adjust my cook times when I look up recipes to accommodate my particular air fryer, so this is much appreciated. I went straight to your recipe as soon as I seen your name in my Google search for “air fryer baked potatoes” —-that was a no brainer for me LOL, as I’ve made a few of your recipes before and they never disappoint! Kudos to you and all your fantastic cooking talent, and for taking the time to share your wisdom with others. My stomach and I thank you kindly!
Thank you so much, Chasity!
To bake these in a regular oven, what is the adjusted time and temperature? Thank you
Hi Angela! Please see my other Baked potato recipe for oven instructions.
Best baked potato ever! I added butter, broccoli, Mexican cheese and sour cream. Delish!! Thank you for this recipe! Definitely a keeper.😊
Sounds delicious, Michele!
I love these baked potatoes and I look forward to trying other recipes!
Thank you for recipe. The potatoes came out crispy on outside and perfectly done on the inside. Not a pro at my new air fryer but I’m learning and this way of preparing baked potatoes is a keeper!
I’m so glad you got an air fryer! It’s a game changer! Thank you for your awesome review!
Delicious recipe, we used the Instant Pot as usual. Crispy, salty and nutritious dish. I didn’t have green chilies but that’s one of my favorite so next time we’re doing it that way. Thank you very much.
Sounds great! Thanks a lot for your good comments and feedback!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet… but I’m excited to see how it turns out. I usually bake in the oven or the stove top. I’ll check back in with you guys with the results.
But to comment on my favorite toppings for a loaded potato, I typically add jumbo lump crab meat, shrimp, and boneless chicken breast, sauteed in butter, finely chopped onions and green pepper and seasoned to taste. Then I add shredded Mexican style cheese. If i’m really being greedy LOL, I add steak fajita strips and broccoli florets
wow fantastic freaking recipe never knew u could air fry a potato. we threw garlic bacon and cheese and green chilli on it after the first 30 min rotate.. locking this in the recipe book thanks for the bomb air fried potato its sooo good
Hi Jayy! I’m so glad you loved it. Thanks for the feedback.
Thank you for including the directions for a toaster oven style air fryer! Out of the top four recipes when searching Google yours is the only that includes the note for cooking baked potatoes in that style air fryer. I’m adding another 5 stars for that too! 😉 Thanks so much!
You’re very welcome, Tracy! I’m glad it was helpful!
Just to clarify, with an oven style air fryer, set to 375 for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through? I kept overthinking your directions. 🙂
Hi That’s correct, Jasmin.
Still on the learning curve for my air fryer. It has six different settings. For baked potatoes, do you recommend the air fryer setting? or Baking?
Hi C! This recipe is written for the “air fry”
mode on the air fryer.
By far the BEST baked potatoes ever. Thank you! I can hardly wait to get them out of the air fryer and slather them with sour cream and chives. Yum Yum!
You’re welcome, Ryan! Enjoy.
What air fryer name brand do you recommend? I am in need for a new one.
Hi Maria! You can see my recommendations here in my Amazon shop (affiliate links).
You don’t have a basket air fryer recommendation in your list.
Hi Charlie! I just checked, it’s there. You just have to keep scrolling and then click on “show more” to load more items.
I always look you up when I’m
looking for a recipe…you
Never disappoint.
Aww! That’s the best! Thank you Bonnie!
It was ok not that great I did follow the instructions and still my potatoes gotten a bit hard in the center.
Hi Zorro, cook times can vary significantly based on the size of your potatoes. If you cut them larger they will take longer to cook and vice versa. I recommend testing for doneness to make sure they are easily pierced with a fork when they are done.
Perfectly simply and I would’ve never salted the skin. This is the only way I’m making a baked potato from here on out.
Great to hear that, Janeen!