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
Our new oven has a no preheat air fryer function,anyone else? All air fryer recipes are for counter top models so IDK if they will work in a full size oven.
Hi! Full ranges require longer heat times and may take longer to crisp up foods than small air fryers. You can still use an oven air fry mode but it may require you to leave them in longer to crisp up.
Hi! I absolutely love anything potato, and I can’t wait to try these! Have you tried twice baked potatoes using this method?
I haven’t tested that but feel free to experiment. We’d love to know how that goes.
Do I put at aircrisp or bake? 400 at aircrisp is a lot. Will burn the outside before inside is cook.
Hi Joyce, it would be on the air-fry/air crisp setting. If you are using a basket-style air fryer the temp would be 400˚F for about 30 minutes. Flip the potatoes and cook for an additional 5-15 minutes until a knife easily pierces through the center.
For a Toaster-style Air Fryer: reduce the temperature to about 375˚F, flip halfway, and keep the timing the same.
I’ve read in several places that the potatoes don’t have to be pierced. I’ve never pierced mine they the come out great. Easy to serve, too. One potato and about 4 pounds of butter. YUM!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
That varies with the age of the potatoes and the shape the skin’s in. It may already have microtears that will allow the steam to escape (this for older potatoes).
Whenever I have baked in an oven or a microwave, and not pierced, they explode! So, I always pierce. We are in 102 degrees right now, so having this recipe is a blessing to not have to bake potatoes in the oven and heat up the house more! I set my air fryer for 20 min at 400 (GoWise) as my potatoes are more medium. Will check them and probably set the timer for another 10
These are the best baked potatoes to us. I do the same method except prep the potato’s on a plate with olive oil and salt before adding to the basket so any excess oil is left on the plate. I find it takes very little oil this way.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Sandy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I wonder if you microwaved them for a few minutes first, then finished in the air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes. I must try it.
Let us know how it works out, Terry. 🙂
That’s the way I do it. Microwave the potatoes using the preset function (my 1200W microwave cooks 2 potatoes for 7 minutes) then into the air fryer for another 5 to 10 minutes. Super fast.
This recipe worked for me.
Using the microwave seems like a good idea when in a hurry.
The skin didn’t feel as soft as I was expecting, but once I opened and buttered the potatoes they were great!
I’m so glad you enjoyed these potatoes, Courtney!
Awesome. Finally got to do this. Topped our potatoes with queso and sour cream. Even my 3 year old niece loved it!
Great to hear that, Heather. Thank you for the great feedback!
After 1 and a half hours in the air fryer they were still hard in the middle not soft at all. Followed directions to a T and did not work. This was our second attempt. Thumbs down.
Hi Sylvia, did you possibly use oversized potatoes? That can take longer to air fry depending on the size of the potatoes. Please see the section above titled: “How do you know when a Baked Potato is done?”
there must be something wrong, i have made baked potatoes at least a dozen times to a t and never a fail. even with 2 different brand of air fryers. just received a new one at easter, still never a fail. did you pre heat your air fryer? importance hope it works
Should I use the Bake or Air Fry function for these baked potatoes?
This recipe is for the Air-Fry function. We used a basket airfyer, at 400°F for 30 minutes. If it is a toaster-style air fryer, reduce the temperature to 375˚F, flip halfway, and keep the timing the same.
When I see air fryer recipes…they usually give the type? of air fryer they are using. Why don’t they give the wattage? Makes more sense to me, after all it would make determining, or estimating the time and perhaps the temperatue to use for someone elses air fryer…right?
HI David, usually, I’ve seen cooking time and temperatures differentiated between the basket style and toaster oven style because of how heat is circulated, but I haven’t seen much about the wattage. Maybe they are standardized? I really don’t know the answer to that.
Hi David, I have the Air Fryer I use linked and mentioned in the recipe – it’s the basket-style air fryer HERE. You can also find it under the “How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes” section in the post & linked on our printable recipe card. I hope this helps.
ive learned from trial and error, preheating plays big part of success rate, two different brands, basket style and air fryer function
I had tried the 20 and then 10 min AF timing for my medium baked potatoes. Should have believed you lol. Tonight baking/air frying 2 large potatoes and will start with the 30 min. DONT know why the other poster had 3 failed attempts at baking potatoes in the AF. I have always found them delicious and doesn’t need to heat up the house. We had 100 to 118 degree temos last wk in Cali and I have never appreciated my IP or AF more! LOL
I make baked potatoes in my air fryer all the time and I love it. I also cut the potatoes in cubes and do it the same way you did the baked potatoes and make eggs and sausage for a meal taste great
Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
I was wondering if I have to use a basket to cook these. I just recently received my air fryer and I do not have one.
Hi Shelly, everything is cooked on the basket in the air fryer. Sometimes in the toaster oven style, I line with foil to keep it clean but I line the basket.
If making more than 4 potatoes can I stack them in the air fryer? I need to make 6 baked potatoes.
Hi Nanette, I haven’t tried stacking them, I worry that will impact the texture. If you happen to test that though, please let me know how it goes!
no single layer with any foods, dont over crowd. needs the air to circulate
Better if you add a wire shelf so you put three and three. They won’t touch. I do that for many items. Like shish kabob. Hamburgers and fries, chicken wings, etc. Lamb chops, pizza etc. Good luck
I have not made this yet but, plan to. I just wanted to Thank you for putting the 2 Different instructions for the 2 diffrent types of airfryers. This has been a little nuisance of mine, a lot of recepies only give instructions for basket types. Again thank you, hopfully this will become more seen throughout all airfryer recepies!! 🙂
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad that was helpful, Charity!
I used the rotisserie function on my air fryer and yum. No need to turn it over and it self bastes better.
Yum! Thank you for sharing that with us! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was the easiest recipe and a great tasting baked potato. Don’t skip the light sea salt if you’ve got it! Delicious!
Thanks for the tip and review, Judy. I’m happy that you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha…
I really love all your recipes!
They are so easy to follow for someone who is just trying out to cook easy and uncomplicated meals for the family!
Need some advice on what wld be a good air-fryer brand to get.?
Hi Carol, I haven’t tried them all, but we have enjoyed this air fryer HERE.
We have that same air fryer and it is the best. It gets food a lot crispier than my sister’s Ninja Foodie (according to her). I am obsessed with this thing!!
Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
I just received my first air fryer. I cooked it as directed. When they were done, they were soft inside and crispy outside however, the crispness turn to very soft skins within 2 minutes after removing them from the air fryer. What am I doing wrong? I want them to stay crispy.
Thank you
Hi Nancie, it sounds like they needed some more time in the fryer. But also, ensure you’re not crowding them when serving or covering them while hot- that will could cause the crispness to go away.
Can you please share more air fryer recipes? Love the ones you currently have on your website!
Hi RM, we have an air fryer recipe coming next week and will continue to post our favorites. Thank you for the request.
I used butter-infused olive oil to rub & they were fantastic!!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Susan! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!