Air Fryer Baked Potato: Crispy, Fluffy, and Perfect Every Time

There’s something irresistibly satisfying about a baked potato—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and so versatile when it comes to toppings. While traditional baked potatoes are usually cooked in the oven, the air fryer takes this beloved comfort food to the next level. It’s faster, it’s easier, and it gives you the crispiest skin you’ve ever had, all while keeping the inside light and fluffy.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make the perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato that’s crispy, tender, and ready for any topping you can imagine. Whether you’re making one for a quick lunch or prepping a batch for a family dinner, the air fryer is the way to go.

Why Make Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer?

While oven-baked potatoes are delicious, they can take up to an hour or more to cook. In comparison, the air fryer cooks baked potatoes in a fraction of the time—typically 25-30 minutes—while giving you the same crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior.

Here’s why you’ll love making baked potatoes in the air fryer:

• Faster Cooking Time: Skip the long wait for the oven to heat up. The air fryer preheats quickly and cooks potatoes faster, so you can enjoy your meal sooner.
• Crispy Skin: The circulating hot air in the air fryer helps crisp up the skin beautifully, making it golden and crunchy while the inside stays light and fluffy.
• No Oil or Minimal Oil: You can enjoy crispy skin without excessive oil or butter, making it a healthier alternative to deep-frying or even traditional oven-baking.
• Perfect for Single or Multiple Potatoes: Whether you’re making one baked potato for yourself or several for the whole family, the air fryer can handle it without any hassle.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Baked Potato

Making Air Fryer Baked Potatoes is incredibly simple, and you likely have all the ingredients you need already:

• 1 large potato (Russet potatoes are ideal due to their fluffy interior, but you can use any type of potato)
• Olive oil or vegetable oil (optional, for crispy skin)
• Salt (for seasoning)
• Pepper (optional)

You can also add garlic powder, paprika, or herbs like rosemary if you want to enhance the flavor of the skin. The options for toppings are endless—butter, sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon bits, and broccoli are all fantastic choices.

How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Follow these simple steps to make the perfect baked potato in the air fryer:

1. Preheat the Air Fryer
   Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to crisp the skin of the potato, while still cooking the inside to perfection.
2. Prepare the Potatoes
   Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly. Scrub away any dirt or debris, as you’ll be eating the skin, and you want it to be clean.

Once they’re clean, pat the potatoes dry with a towel. This will help the oil (if you’re using it) stick to the skin.

Optional: Poke the potatoes with a fork 6-8 times all over the surface. This allows steam to escape during cooking and helps prevent the potatoes from bursting open.

3. Coat with Oil and Season
   Lightly coat each potato with a thin layer of olive oil or vegetable oil. This helps create the crispy skin. Then, sprinkle the potatoes with salt and any other seasonings you like, such as pepper, garlic powder, or paprika.

If you prefer a more basic version, simply oil the potatoes and salt them—sometimes simple is best.

4. Place in the Air Fryer
   Place the prepared potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re arranged in a single layer with a little space between each potato, allowing the hot air to circulate around them. If you’re cooking multiple potatoes, make sure they’re not overcrowded, as this can affect cooking time and the crispiness of the skin.
5. Air Fry the Potatoes
   Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the potatoes for 25-35 minutes, depending on their size and thickness.

Smaller potatoes may only need about 25 minutes.
Larger potatoes may need up to 35 minutes.
After about 15-20 minutes, check on the potatoes. You can turn them halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly, but it’s not absolutely necessary if you’re short on time.

To test for doneness, insert a fork or knife into the center of the potato. The potato is ready when it’s tender and easily pierced, and the skin should be crisp and golden.

6. Serve and Enjoy!
   Once your potatoes are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer (they’ll be hot!). You can serve them as-is or slice them open and add your favorite toppings.

Here are some delicious ideas for topping your air fryer baked potato:

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