Learn how to bake potatoes in air fryer without the need to run the hot oven. Once they are done, customize them with different toppings, sauces, herbs and serve them alongside your main dish.
When it gets hot outside, I use my air fryer almost every day to make the dishes that usually need to be baked in the oven.
I have been testing and expanding my air fryer recipe collection every week. Our recent favorites are air fried pork tenderloin, air fryer chicken leg quarters, air fryer chicken meatballs, air fryer diced sweet potatoes, air fryer roasted baby potatoes, and air fryer chicken wings.
Why is it better to bake potatoes in air fryer
- Energy saving: The air fryer's smaller size makes it more efficient, especially when you cook something that requires longer baking times, such as potatoes.
- A little less time: The air fryer cooks even whole potatoes faster because it is smaller and hot air circulates more effectively. Baking a whole potato in the oven can take up to an hour plus it takes time to reheat the oven, air fryer cooks small-medium size potato in about 40 minutes. Large potatoes may take longer
- Less heat: Besides reducing the cooking time, the air fryer will not heat your kitchen like an oven.
- Crispier skin: I love how crispy the potato skin comes out when cooking it in the air fryer, while the inside remains fluffy.
Ingredients
You will need only a few simple ingredients to make these air fryer baked potato recipes. You can find the quantities in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Potatoes: I love using russet potatoes (also known as Idaho) or baking. The next best potatoes for baking are Yukon potatoes.
- Olive oil: it helps with even cooking, keeping the potatoes fluffy inside. It also created crispy skin. You can also use avocado oil or even canola oil instead.
- Salt: coarse or fine salt work. You will need to generously rub the potato skin on top before air frying it.
- Optional herbs and spices: you can also mix salt with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika for added flavor.
Air fryer baked potato recipe
Follow these simple 4 simple steps to make the easiest and the perfect baked potato.
Clean the potatoes: Russet potatoes have rough skin, so make sure to scrub and wash them well. After they are clean, pat dry the potatoes with a clean towel or a paper towel.
Pierce the potatoes: using a fork, poke holes in the potato skin a few times on both sides to help the steam escape during baking, which prevents the potatoes from bursting.
Coat with oil and season: Rub each potato with a small amount of olive oil.
Season with salt. Now, sprinkle the potatoes generously with salt over the entire surface. Do the same with any spices or herbs if desired.
Bake the potato in the air fryer. Place potatoes into the air fryer basket, making sure they have a good amount of space in between, so the hot air circulates evenly. Air fry the potatoes at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. Flip the potatoes and air fry for another 15-20 minutes or until a fork can easily pierce the thickest part of the potato without resistance. You can also use oven mitten to gently squeeze the potato. If it is soft, it's ready to enjoy.
Approximate air fryer cooking times: Small Potatoes (4-6 ounces each) - 25-30 minutes, Medium Potatoes (6-8 ounces each) - 30-35 minutes, Large Potatoes (8-10 ounces each) - 35-40 minutes.
Serve the potatoes: carefully, cut the hot potato open, fluff it with a fork and add there some butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon or any other toppings you love.
Favorite Toppings
You can make delicious loaded baked potatoes by adding one of your favorite toppings:
- Classic toppings: butter, chives, bacon, sour cream, shredded cheese, and some black pepper.
- Gourmet toppings: truffle oil and grated Parmesan cheese, blue cheese and caramelized onions, compound butter with garlic and herbs.
- Lighter toppings: salsa and guacamole, plain Greek yogurt, or feta cheese.
- Protein toppings: boiled eggs, shrimp, chilli, bacon, air fryer steak bites.
Recipe tips and storage
- Choose the same size potatoes for even cooking.
- Wash and scrub the potatoes with the brush thoroughly.
- As for leftovers, you can use baked potatoes to make these delicious air fryer potato croquettes or air fryer potato skins the next day.
- Let the potatoes cool down at room temperature, place them in an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Serving ideas
Below are a few delicious ideas for serving baked potatoes, with linked recipes provided for your convenience:
- BBQ baked chicken breast: easy family-friendly dinner.
- Roasted chicken quarters: great for an easy weeknight meal idea.
- Roasted whole chicken: classic and comforting meal, perfect for Sundays.
- Air fryer breaded chicken tenders: for a kid-friendly meal.
- Roasted turkey legs: Juicy and flavorful idea for a festive meal or a hearty dinner.
- Whole baked duck: perfect for special occasions and holidays.
- Chicken Kyiv: for an elegant dinner with an international theme.
What types of potatoes are best for baking
Not all types of potatoes are good for baking, as their texture and flavor might be different. Below are the types of potatoes that are best to choose for baking them whole:
- Russet potatoes: They are also called Idaho potatoes. They always have been the number one choice for baking, because of their high starch content and thick skin, which makes them fluffy inside and crispy on the outside when baked.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: they have thin skin and medium starch content. They have a creamy texture when baked, but the skin will not be as crispy. Instead, I like to cook them in the instant-pot.
- Red Potatoes: they are smaller, cook faster, and have a waxy texture. They might not be as fluffy when baked, but they still taste delicious. Red potatoes are great roasting them in the oven, air fryer or for twice-baked potato recipes.
- Sweet potatoes: they have a sweet taste compared to regular potatoes. Sweet potatoes are the most delicious when baked with moist and tender flesh.
Frequently asked questions
Depending on the size of your potatoes, it can take between 25-40 minutes to bake them in the air fryer.
Idaho potatoes are the best choice for baking them whole. They come out tender and fluffy with crispy skin when baked. You can also bake less starchy potatoes such as Yukon Gold Potatoes or red potatoes.
You can reheat baked potatoes in the microwave, oven, or air fryer at 350°F. Make sure to check the internal temperature to ensure they are fully heated through, it needs to reach at least 165°F.
📖 Recipe
How To Bake Potatoes In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air fryer I used Ninja
Ingredients
- 3 medium russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon sour cream
- 1 teaspoon bacon bits
- ½ teaspoon diced chives
- black pepper and salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and scrub the potatoes well to get rid of any dirt and debris. Pat them dry with a dry towel.
- Pierce the potato skin with a fork a few times. Rub a thin layer of olive oil on each potato followed by salt.
- Preheat the the air fryer for 5 minutes. Place the potatoes in air fryer basket and air fry them for 20 minutes at 400°F ("air fry" setting). Take out the basket, flip the potatoes, and air fry for another 20 minutes or until fully cooked. To check for doneness, insert a fork or knife into the largest potato-if it slides in easily with little resistance, they're ready. You can also use a food thermometer; the internal temperature should be 205-210°F. Larger potatoes may need a bit more time.
- Let them cool down slightly. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Marie Hays says
Thanks for your baking patato recipes I loved it
Nataliia says
Thank you so much for your comment, I am so happy you enjoyed it.
Kelsey says
This receipt did not work nor save time. I followed the instructions and baked for 45 minutes and my potatoes were still hard. Might as well have just done them in the oven.
Nataliia says
I am so sorry the recipe did not work. The cooking times for sure may be longer depending on the size of the potato and air fryer model itself.
Janet says
I will go you one better. I microwave my potatoes first for several minutes each. Then I wrap in foil and airfry them (2) for 25 minutes and they are done. No long waiting like the oven.
Larry says
I baked potatoes in the oven for 25 years and in the air fryer for the last 3 years. Air fryer the best hands down. However, I have never perished the skins with a fork and have never had one blow up on me just saying