Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are my favourite way to bake potatoes. The baked potatoes always have a crispy, crunchy skin and soft fluffy insides. It’s so easy to make baked potatoes in your Air Fryer, you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before.

Why should I make Air Fryer Baked potatoes?

I bake potatoes in my Air fryer because it really makes the best baked potatoes. The very even cooking from the air fryer means that the skin is super crispy all the way around the potato and the inside is soft and fluffy and not at all dry. If that’s not enough of a reason here are some more:

• Your Air fryer will use less power than your oven and save you money. Because if you bake two or three potatoes in the main oven, you have to heat the whole oven to 200c for about an hour,  that’s a lot of power. 
• If you cook your potatoes in the microwave it’s much quicker and uses less power. However, the skin is soft and the potato is a bit damp inside not as fluffy as oven-baked. The way a microwave cooks means that if you do more potatoes it will take longer, this isn’t the case in your air fryer.

What kind of Air Fryer do I need to bake potatoes?

I have the type of Air Fryer that has a drawer and no paddle, this makes it ideal as a mini oven as well as for classic air frying recipes such as chips/fries.

Can I use an air fryer with a paddle?

Yes, you can bake potatoes in an air fryer with a paddle or you can take out the paddle if you prefer. The size and number of potatoes you can bake at one time will depend on the size of your air fryer.

Can I use a multi-cooker to bake potatoes?

If your multi-cooker has an air fry setting then you can definitely use it to bake potatoes. Check the instructions for your own model of multi-cooker.

What kind of potatoes should I use?

I use Maris Piper potatoes for Air Fryer Baked Potatoes. They are a good all-round potato for lots of different recipes and I find they bake very well with this method. You can also bake King Edward potatoes and Desiree potatoes. I recommend Russet potatoes for readers in the USA.

If you grow your own potatoes and want to grow a variety specifically for baking, then read about The Best Potatoes for Baking on the Gardener’s World website.

How many Air Fryer Baked potatoes can I bake in my Air fryer? 

The basket in my air fryer is a generous size. I can fit in two large potatoes or three medium potatoes or four smaller potatoes.

If I cook more potatoes in my Air fryer will it take longer?

No, it will take the same time no matter how many potatoes you bake. Your Air fryer works differently from a microwave so it takes the same time to bake three potatoes as it does to bake one, just like in your oven.

Why should I add oil and salt to the skin of the potatoes?

The oil helps to crisp up the skins, it also helps the salt to stick to the potatoes. Add salt to your potatoes to add flavour. You can bake the potatoes without oil and/or salt and they will still bake and be delicious but I recommend trying the oil and salt.

What kind of oil should I use?

I use olive oil because it adds a nice flavour to the skin of the potato. But you can use any vegetable oil. Oils such as sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil or generic blended vegetable oil are all suitable.

What kind of salt should I use?

I like to use sea salt flakes because I like the taste which I find less hard than some other salt. The flakes also look nice when serving the potatoes. There are many different kinds of salts available, some of them have additional flavourings already added e.g. garlic salt, smoked salt and chilli salt. Read How to Salt for more information about different salts and how to use them.

How do I serve Air Fryer Baked Potatoes?

Baked Potatoes are really very versatile and can be served as a main meal or as a side dish with other dishes.

Serve Air Fryer Baked Potatoes as side dish

The Air Fryer Baked Potatoes have a perfectly crisp skin and fluffy potato inside all they need is some butter and seasoning. They are delicious with cold meats, salads, flans and quiches and can make a snack into a main meal.

Baked Potatoes and simple toppings make a great lunch or light supper 

There are so many different toppings that you can add to a baked potato. Here are a few to try:

• Grated Cheese
• Coleslaw
• Baked Beans
• Coronation Chicken
• Smoked Mackerel Pate
• Avocado Salsa
• Quick Roasted Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinegar

And, of course, these can all be improved by a spoonful of chutney or relish.

Make Air Fryer Baked Potatoes into main meal

A large baked potato topped with a hearty stew or casserole makes a filling main meal. Try some Slow Cooker Chilli con Carne or a luscious Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Curry. It’s a great way to stretch leftovers into another meal too.

Vegetarian

The basic ingredients for this recipe are meat-free and suitable for vegetarians. Use non-dairy spread and alternative meat-free toppings for anyone wishing to follow a plant-only diet.

Gluten-Free

The ingredients for this recipe are usually gluten-free. Be aware that cheese sold pre-grated may be coated in products that contain gluten. Please always check the packaging before you consume any manufactured product.

More Potato Recipes

New Potatoes with Wild Garlic and Lemon Dressing are a delicious seasonal Spring treat.  The wild garlic doesn’t overpower the delicate flavour of new potatoes and the fresh taste of lemon enhances both.

Slow Cooker Scottish Stovies is a comforting plate of slowly cooked potato seasoned with beef and onions. Stovies or ‘Stoved Potatoes’ is a classic dish that makes simple ingredients taste incredibly good.

This Slow Cooker Chorizo, Potato, and Runner Bean One Pot dinner is perfect for making an inexpensive, tasty and filling meal using a garden glut of potatoes and runner beans from the garden or allotment.

More Airfryer Recipes 

• Air Fryer Scones
• Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
• Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake
• AirFryer Carrot Falafel (Tin & Thyme)
• Vegetable Kebabs (Simply Food)

First published May 2019