Print

The Ultimate Crispy-Skinned, Fluffy-Centered Air Fryer Baked Potato

A perfectly cooked air fryer baked potato, split open to show the fluffy interior, resting on a white plate.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make perfect baked potatoes quickly in your air fryer. This method delivers a wonderfully crispy exterior skin and a light, fluffy interior every time, freeing up your oven space for other dishes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium Russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon bits, sour cream, chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Prepare the potatoes by scrubbing them well under cool water. Dry the potatoes completely using paper towels; moisture prevents crispy skin.
  2. Pierce each potato 6 to 8 times deeply around the surface using a fork or sharp knife. This allows steam to escape, creating a fluffy interior.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, coarse salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over the entire surface of each potato.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 5 minutes.
  5. Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch or overlap significantly. Work in batches if necessary.
  6. Air fry for 35 to 45 minutes. Cooking time depends on potato size. Check for doneness by squeezing gently; the potato should yield easily.
  7. For best results, flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking time (around 20 minutes).
  8. Once cooked, carefully remove the potatoes. Slice them open lengthwise and gently squeeze the sides to fluff the interior flesh.
  9. Serve immediately with your favorite loaded baked potato toppings.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, you can lightly brush the potatoes with oil and salt again halfway through cooking.
  • If your potatoes are very large (over 10 ounces), add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.
  • This hands-off cooking method is ideal for holiday side dish solutions when the oven is full.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/air-fryer-baked-potato/