Discover this easy Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe, a blank slate for your favorite toppings. Perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside!

A family of four smiling and enjoying a close-up meal featuring an Air Fryer Baked Potato topped with sour cream and chives.

Air Fryer Baked Potato: Crispy, Fluffy, and Perfect for Any Toppings!

You know, baked potatoes are one of those classic comfort foods that never get old, but waiting forever for them to bake in the oven? Not fun. That’s why I’m obsessed with making them in the air fryer! It’s so easy, and the results are incredible—crispy, golden skin with a fluffy inside. Seriously, it’s everything you want in a baked potato, but without the hassle.

What’s even better is that you can top it with just about anything. Feeling like something simple? Go for sour cream and chives. Want to jazz it up a bit? Load it with some broccoli and melted cheese. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what makes this recipe so great—it’s completely customizable.

The best part? It only takes about 40 minutes in the air fryer, and there’s no need to heat up your whole kitchen. Once you try it, I guarantee you’ll be making these air fryer baked potatoes all the time. They’re perfect for a quick side dish or even the star of the meal when you’re in the mood for something comforting but low effort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Standard Ingredient

  • 4 medium russet or Idaho potatoes (7 ounces each), washed and dried
  • Olive oil spray
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or Himalayan pink salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Greek yogurt
  • Butter
  • Chili
  • Chives
  • Broccoli and cheese
  • Your favorite toppings!

How to Make Air Fryer Baked Potato: Crispy, Fluffy, and Perfect for Any Toppings!

Clean, pierced potatoes ready for cooking on a kitchen countertop with a fork nearby.

1. Prep the Potatoes: Start by giving your potatoes a good wash and dry. Then, using a fork, pierce each potato several times all over—this helps steam escape and ensures even cooking.

Close-up of four potatoes being seasoned with olive oil spray and salt, ready for air frying.

2. Season: Give each potato a few spritzes of olive oil spray. Don’t be shy here—the oil helps crisp up that skin. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, making sure each potato is evenly coated.

Golden-brown potatoes arranged in a single layer in an air fryer basket, cooking at 400°F.

3. Air Fry: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for about 35 to 40 minutes. Halfway through cooking, give them a turn so they cook evenly on all sides. You’ll know they’re done when a knife slides easily into the center.

Split open baked potatoes topped with butter, broccoli and cheese, and Greek yogurt with chives, served with salt and pepper.

4. Serve: Split open each potato, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and add your favorite toppings. It’s time to get creative—whether it’s a spoonful of butter, a handful of broccoli and cheese, or a swirl of Greek yogurt and chives!

Tips and Tricks

  • Crispier Skin: For extra crispy skin, give the potatoes an extra spritz of oil about 10 minutes before they’re done.
  • Don’t Skip the Salt: The salt on the skin adds flavor and helps with crisping, so don’t leave it out!
  • Preheat Your Air Fryer: Some air fryers don’t need preheating, but if yours does, give it a few minutes to heat up for the best results.
  • Check for Doneness: The easiest way to check if your potatoes are done is to insert a knife into the center—it should go in without resistance.
  • Get Creative with Toppings: Don’t limit yourself to the classics. Try experimenting with things like sautéed mushrooms, salsa, or even a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits.

Benefits of This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: You’ll have perfectly baked potatoes in under 40 minutes, which is much faster than traditional oven baking.
  • Healthier Option: Since you’re using an air fryer, you’re cutting down on excess oil and fat, making it a healthier choice.
  • Customizable: This recipe is a blank slate, allowing you to personalize it with endless topping possibilities. It’s great for different dietary preferences!
  • Crispy Texture: The air fryer gives the potatoes that perfect crispy skin, while the inside stays soft and fluffy.
  • Minimal Cleanup: With the air fryer, you don’t have to worry about scrubbing a baking tray or heating up your entire oven.

Important Things About This Recipe

  • Cooking Time Varies: Depending on the size of your potatoes, cooking time may differ slightly. Keep an eye on them after the 35-minute mark.
  • Topping Choices Matter: Keep in mind that the toppings can drastically change the nutritional value. If you’re watching calories, go for lighter options like Greek yogurt or a small amount of shredded cheese.
  • Reheating Tips: If you need to reheat leftovers, popping them back into the air fryer will help them regain their crispiness, unlike microwaving, which can make the skin soggy.
  • Perfect for Meal Prep: These baked potatoes are great for prepping in advance. Bake a batch, store them, and top them fresh when you’re ready to eat!
  • Versatile Side or Main: Depending on how you top it, this air fryer baked potato can be a side dish or the star of the meal!

More Air Fryer Recipes

A perfectly baked potato in an air fryer topped with sour cream, chives, and cheese.

Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

Pamela J. Willis
Perfect air fryer baked potatoes—crispy skin, fluffy inside, and a blank canvas for your favorite toppings.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Brunch, Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 160 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium russet or Idaho potatoes 7 ounces each, washed and dried
  • Olive oil spray
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or can use pink salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Potatoes: Start by giving your potatoes a good wash and dry. Then, using a fork, pierce each potato several times all over—this helps steam escape and ensures even cooking.
  • Season: Give each potato a few spritzes of olive oil spray. Don’t be shy here—the oil helps crisp up that skin. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, making sure each potato is evenly coated.
  • Air Fry: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for about 35 to 40 minutes. Halfway through cooking, give them a turn so they cook evenly on all sides. You’ll know they’re done when a knife slides easily into the center.
  • Serve: Split open each potato, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and add your favorite toppings. It’s time to get creative—whether it’s a spoonful of butter, a handful of broccoli and cheese, or a swirl of Greek yogurt and chives!

Notes

Recipe Notes:

  1. Size Matters: Try to choose potatoes of similar size to ensure even cooking. Larger potatoes may need a few extra minutes in the air fryer.
  2. No Air Fryer?: You can still make these in the oven, but it’ll take a bit longer—about an hour at 400°F.
  3. Toppings Galore: This recipe is all about customization. If you want to go healthy, try Greek yogurt and chives. For something heartier, pile on chili and cheese!
  4. Oil Alternatives: If you don’t have olive oil spray, brushing the potatoes lightly with regular olive oil will work just as well.
  5. Storage: Have leftovers? Store the baked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to get that crispy skin back.
Calories per Serving: Approximately 160 calories (without toppings)

Nutritional Details (Per Serving):

  • Calories: 160
  • Fat: 0g (without toppings)
  • Carbohydrates: 37g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sodium: 150mg
Keyword crispy, Customizable Toppings, Easy Weeknight Dinner, Fluffy Inside, Healthy Comfort Food

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