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I’ve made air fryer baked potatoes so many times, I’ve lost count—and they come out perfect every single time. These potatoes are a staple in my kitchen for a quick side dish that everyone loves. The air fryer gets the skin just right: crispy on the outside, while keeping the inside fluffy and soft.

Cooked baked potato in air fryer basket.

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

Air frying baked potatoes is a game changer for a busy weeknight or when you want a comforting side without turning on your oven. Not only does it speed up the cooking time compared to traditional baking, but it also yields a perfect crispy skin that’s just irresistible.

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Ingredients for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

  • Potatoes: Four medium-sized (about 8 ounces each) russet potatoes.
  • Olive Oil: Helps crisp up the potato skins and adds a subtle, rich flavor.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the taste and contributes to that delectably crispy skin.

Variations for Baked Potatoes

  • Try different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before air frying.
  • Top with classic fixings like Greek yogurt (a great alternative to sour cream), chives, shredded cheese, or bacon bits for a loaded baked potato.
Air fried baked potato opened and with added butter and pepper, on a plate with a fork.

How to Cook Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer

STEP 1 – Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, wash and dry the potatoes.

STEP 2 – Pierce all over the potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking.

Russet potato being pierced with a fork before air frying.

STEP 3 – Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.

Hanf holding a potato thats been covered in olive oil and kosher salt.

STEP 4 – Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch for even cooking.

Russet potatoes in air fryer basket ready to cook.

STEP 5 – Air fry at 400°F for 35-50 minutes, turning halfway through, until the potatoes are tender inside and crispy outside.

Russet potatoes fully cooked and in the air fryer basket, ready to slice and serve.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

  • Even Size: Make sure the potatoes are close to the same size so they will cook evenly. I find that 8 ounce potatoes cook perfectly at this time and temperature.
  • Even Spacing: Ensure potatoes are not touching to allow for maximum airflow and even cooking.
  • Check Doneness: Potatoes are done when a fork can slide into the center with little resistance.
  • Preheat: Preheating the air fryer ensures that the skin starts to crisp up immediately.
Baked potato in air fryer basket sliced open and topped with butter and pepper, ready to serve.

FAQs for Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer

How long do you air fry baked potatoes?

It typically takes 35-50 minutes at 400°F (200°C), depending on the size of the potatoes.

Can I wrap my potatoes in foil?

It’s not necessary to wrap potatoes in foil in the air fryer, as the circulating air crisps the skin nicely.

What are the best potatoes for air frying?

Russet potatoes are generally the best for air frying due to their thick skin and starchy content, which makes for a fluffy interior.

Close up of air fried baked potato on  a plate, opened with butter and pepper, and ready to eat.

This simple method transforms humble ingredients into a dish that’s both satisfying and versatile, complementing any main course beautifully. Try it next time you need a no-fuss side that delivers on both taste and texture.

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Close up of baked potato in air fryer basket.
5 from 1 vote
Servings: 4

Air Fryer Baked Potato

By JENNIFER GAMBLE
These air fryer baked potatoes are a staple in my kitchen for a quick side dish that everyone loves. The air fryer gets the skin just right: crispy on the outside, while keeping the inside fluffy and soft.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
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Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients 

  • 4 medium Russet potatoes, 8 ounces each
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, wash and dry the potatoes.
  • Pierce the 4 medium Russet potatoess with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking.
  • Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
  • Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch for even cooking.
  • Air fry at 400°F for 35-50 minutes, turning halfway through, until the potatoes are tender inside and crispy outside.

Notes

I used 8 ounce Russet potatoes for this recipe. 
Ensure potatoes are not touching to allow for maximum airflow and even cooking.
Potatoes are done when a fork can slide into the center with little resistance.
Preheating the air fryer ensures that the skin starts to crisp up immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 594mg, Potassium: 897mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 42mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

JENNIFER GAMBLE

Hello! Iโ€™m Jennifer, but you can call me Jen. Iโ€™m a wife and mom, cook, recipe developer, nutrition coach, and food photographer.

With a formal certification in nutrition and over a decade of hands-on experience in the online food industry, I bring a well-rounded perspective to all of the recipes here on Simply Macros.

As the creator and author, I ensure that every recipe not only looks visually appealing but is also grounded in sound nutritional principles.

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I enjoyed creating them.

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Recipe Rating




1 Comment

  1. JENNIFER GAMBLE says:

    5 stars
    If you love perfectly baked potatoes with crispy skin, this is going to be your favorite way to make baked potatoes going forward!