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
Can I make them in convection oven? I don’t have an air fryer
Hi Lisa, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
You’re in luck! An air fryer is the same thing as a convection oven.
Keep in mind though that an air fryer will cook faster than even a convection oven because it is smaller and concentrates the heat closer to the food.
Worked great, any chance you can use method with sweet Potatoes?
So glad to hear that! You could totally do this with sweet potatoes however the cooking time would probably differ some.
I added sauteed California blend veggies with chopped bacon, chicken and mushrooms. Made a cheese sauce and topped off with diced green onions, sour cream, butter and perfect seasoning and pinch of salt. This was a main course dish. Loved it!
OMG that sounds seriously amazing!
Love the baked potatoes this way , and love watching Natasha cook . She’s easy to watch and fun
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes & videos, Barbara! Thank you for your excellent feedback!
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
Great idea, Lucylu! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
My oven has air fryer feature, will this work the same.
Hi Marlene, I’m not really sure as every device is different but I think it’s worth giving it a try!
#2 and #3 have same instructions 🤷♂️
Hi Olga, thank you for noticing that. We’ll edit that as soon as possible!
Oh wow…thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I made them for dinner tonight. My kitchen did not heat up because of your recipe. They were moist and the outside was delicious too. I made mine in the ninja cooker with your recommended temps & timetable. Thank you Natasha! Another winner!
You are very welcome, Cherie! Glat that it was a success, thanks for sharing that with us.
Hi, Natasha! Two quick questions…I heard that the perfect “temperature” for a baked potato is 195-210 degrees. Have you ever heard of that? Also, when the potatoes are done, to fluff the inside, I heard you are supposed to throw them down on the counter several times, with a bit of force! Have you ever heard of these or are they just “old-wives-tales”? LOL
Hi Deb, Usually poking the potato with a knife works fine, but it’s not a bad idea to check the internal temperature of the potato. It’s the same thing with a pie, if you want to be sure, you can check the internal temperature with a thermometer. I haven’t heard about throwing the potato on the counter, but that would be a funny thing to include in a video one day!
I will never put my potatoes in my oven again. The skin was so delicious I ate the whole potato. My potatoes were good size and it did take the 40 minutes plus the 15 for the other side. I have a great Air Fryer “ Ninja” so Used the 400 degrees setting and they turned out perfect.
I’m so glad you gave this a try, Carol! Thank you for your wonderful review!
LOVE my Ninja Air Fryer … rec’d it for Christmas this year and it is the one appliance I NEVER thought I needed – boy was I wrong. It’s FABULOUS!
Isn’t it the best! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Question for you Natasha: is there a particular type or brand of air fryer that you would recommend? I love your recipes and videos and I trust your judgement 🙂
Hi Kris, you can find our favorite kitchen tools in our Amazon Affiliate Shop HERE.
I have a GoWise given to me as a gift. This recipe was perfect, and today was 95, tomorrow 105 degrees so no having to heat the oven for an hour is a PLUS!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Karen. Thank you for sharing.
What is your favorite basket type air fryer, well also toaster type? I’ve been researching but would appreciate a recommendation. Thank You
Hi Beth, you can find our favorite kitchen tools in our Amazon Affiliate Shop HERE.
Hello Natasha,
I love the recipe for the baked potatoes. my family love
it. Excellent!!
Thank you
I’m so happy you all enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Irene!
Loved the potatoes this way. I always squeeze my potatoes gently to see if they are done and if they are, I squeeze them all over to fluff the insides. Who is Valentina Ablaev with the picture and paragraph about her cooking blog?
Hi Sheri, thanks for the tip! She is a friend who occasionally guest posts on my site. It helps her with growing her site and she has great recipes.
I just got my air fryer and was trying out all sorts of recipes. I tried this one of yours and it has been the best one yet. Thanks for this delicious recipe.
I’m so glad to hear that you love the recipe.
Great idea! I always looking for more air fryer recipes!
I hope you love this recipe, Melissa!
These air fryer baked potatoes were so delicious for lunch and were so easy too! My kids just loved how fluffy and yummy these were! I’m definitely making my baked potatoes this way from now on!
Aren’t they the best? I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
I fix my baked potatoes this way all the time now. Game changer!!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Tammy!
Sounds yummy😋! What kind of air fryer do you have? What size?
Hi Maxime, you can find our favorite kitchen tools in our Amazon Affiliate Shop HERE.
I have made this recipe many times now since I had an air fryer. It’s now my favorite way and the best to make baked potatoes, saving time,energy and easy cleanup. Thanks for the recipe!😊❤
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Karen! Thank you for the wonderful review!
By the way I just found out we have the same brand air fryer cosori. I love this appliance!
That’s awesome! Isn’t it the best!?