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Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, totally delicious and SO easy to make. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are the way forward! Follow this ultimate guide to get the most out of your humble but satisfying spuds.

Two jacket potatoes having been cooked in the air fryer with butter melting in the centre, cut into four with a fork at the side.

Want to know how to make the perfect baked potato in your air fryer? I got you!

There’s a few tips and tricks to help and after heaps of testing (and fails..) here’s everything you need.


Why you’ll love this Air Fryer Baked Potatoes recipe

⭐️ More energy efficient than using the oven

⭐️ Perfect for a speedy lunch or side dish

⭐️ No extra steps necessary


An air fryer with four cooked baked potatoes in side.

Why cook baked potatoes in the air fryer?

➡️ Energy efficient: Heating up the whole oven just for potatoes is a waste. Air fryers use far less electricity.

➡️ Heat: An oven turned on for an hour or more can lead to a hot kitchen, which is especially uncomfortable in summer. Air fryers don’t do this (meaning these jacket make a great summer barbecue side dish!) 

➡️ Delicious and crispy: There results are SO GOOD. The insides and outsides of the potato are perfect when cooked in the air fryer.


Ingredients Notes

Jacket potatoes, oil and salt and pepper on a baking tray, ready to go in the air fryer.
  • Potatoes – In the UK, the types grown for baking are labelled simply as ‘baking potatoes’, without the variety of the crop. However, any white potato that’s floury in the centre with a thicker skin, such as King Edward or Desiree is fine to bake
  • Oil – You don’t have to add oil, but it adds a nice flavoured coating to the skin and helps it to crispy up nicely, and to a good consistency. Go for olive or sunflower oil
  • Salt – Again, this is optional, but it gives a nice bit of seasoning to the skin

How to make Baked Potatoes in an air fryer: 4 OPTIONS

There are a number of different options for making baked potatoes in the fryer:

Four jacket potatoes on a baking tray, ready to be cooked in the air fryer.

OIL & SALT: You don’t have to, but you could rub the potatoes with a little olive or sunflower oil and a pinch of salt before you cook for extra flavour.

Four baked potatoes with skewers through the middle, ready to be cooked.

SKEWERS: I always put a metal skewer through my jacket potatoes when cooking as the metal conducts the heat and speeds up the cooking on the inside.

Four baked potatoes on a plate having been microwave, ready to go in the air fryer.

MICROWAVE FIRST: If you want to speed up the cooking time, you can pop the potatoes in the microwave until they are just starting to soften (as per the recipe below), before finishing them off in the air fryer to crisp up. ❗️NOTE: Do not put the potatoes in the microwave with the metal skewers in!

Four jacket potatoes in the air fryer, ready to be cooked.

STRAIGHT INTO THE AIR FRYER: Or you can keep it simple with one single step. Put the potatoes straight into the machine and leave until cooked!

⬇️ (Full recipe and timings below) ⬇️

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully before serving.

In the freezer You can freeze cooked jacket potatoes, and what’s best is you can reheat them from frozen too!

Wait until they’re totally cold and then put into a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat fully from frozen in the microwave. Ensure they are hot through before serving.

What to serve with Baked Potatoes…

More great potato recipes…

FAQs

How many potatoes can I put in my air fryer at once?

My air fryer comfortably makes 4 at a time, but add as many as your machine will fit, making sure they comfortably fit with space around each potato.

How long does it take to cook a baked potato in the air fryer?

I find medium-sized potatoes take about 55 minutes at 180C, but really it depends on how big your potato is. Keep an eye on them after about 45 minutes to check their progress.

Can’t I just cook them at a higher heat to cook them quicker?

No! Trust me, I have tried this and they just burn on the outside before in the inside is cooked through.

Can I cook a large potato this way?

Yes, you can, but be prepared for it to take even longer to cook. Also, make sure it’s cooked properly on the inside before serving.

Should I turn the potatoes while they’re cooking?

Yes, about halfway through.

Can you recommend an air fryer?

The one in these photos is a Russell Hobbs XXL one.

I’ve tested 3 air fryers now, and while I’m not saying that this one is THE BEST EVER, I’m really happy with it. It’s easy to fit in the dishwasher, not too expensive and has a basket large enough for 4 people.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes {The Ultimate Guide!}

Cooking Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are so easy, but there are few tips and tricks to getting them perfect. Follow my ultimate guide to getting the most delicious, crispy and fluffy jackets for a simple lunch, main course or side dish.
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 4 Medium baking potatoes, See notes
  • Oil, Sunflower or olive | See notes
  • Sea salt, Optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes.
  • Wash and dry the potatoes.
  • Prick them all over with a fork.

Option 1:

  • OIL & SALT: You don’t have to, but you could rub the potatoes with a little olive or sunflower oil and a pinch of salt before you cook for extra flavour.

Option 2:

  • SKEWER: Put a metal skewer through the potatoes when cooking as the metal conducts the heat and speeds up the cooking on the inside.

Option 3:

  • MICROWAVE FIRST: If you want to speed up the cooking time, you can pop the potatoes in the microwave until they are just starting to soften, before finishing them off in the air fryer to crisp up. Microwave for 5-8 minutes for 1 potato, or 8-10 minutes for 4 potatoes, turn over halfway. Reduce the air fryer time to 15-20 minutes.
    ❗️NOTE: Do NOT put the potatoes into the microwave with the metal skewers in! Add them after microwaving if using.

Option 4:

  • STRAIGHT INTO THE AIR FRYER: Or you can keep it simple with one single step. Put the potatoes straight into the machine and leave until cooked!

Finally:

  • Cook at 180C for about 45 – 55 minutes (or until cooked through). I use regular 'Air Fry' mode but if your air fryer has a specific setting, feel free to use that.
  • Turn over halfway through cooking.
  • When the potatoes are cooked remove the skewers (if using) and serve immediately with your favourite toppings.

Notes

Oil: You don’t have to add oil, but it adds a nice flavoured coating to the skin and helps it to crispy up nicely, and to a good consistency. Go for olive or sunflower oil
Salt: Again, this is optional, but it gives a nice bit of seasoning to the skin
Nutritional value: This is based on a medium sized baking potatoes and does not take into account the amount of oil you might use or salt

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 888mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg

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

Additional Info

Course: Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Family Food
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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I make my chilli exactly the same as your recipe a d it always tastes exceptional. All the other recipes are also very good, Thank You.

  2. 5 stars
    Good advice. Been using similar with McCain frozen potatoes, but cheaper to use baking potatoes. Nice easy recipe!