Description
This Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe delivers perfectly cooked, fork-tender russet potatoes with a crispy skin using just olive oil and simple seasoning. Ready in under an hour, these potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be topped with your favorite ingredients like butter, sour cream, cheese, or veggies for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 3 medium russet potatoes
- 1–2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
Toppings (optional)
- Butter
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Green onions
- Chives
- Cheese
- Bacon
- Broccoli
Instructions
- Prep: Set your air fryer to 400°F using the air fryer setting to preheat the cooking environment for your potatoes.
- Wash & Prick Potatoes: Thoroughly wash and dry the potatoes. Use a fork to poke each potato about 8 times all over to allow steam to escape during cooking.
- Oil the Potatoes: Drizzle olive oil over each potato and rub it evenly around the outsides. Using your hands or an oil sprayer makes this easier one potato at a time.
- Season the Potatoes: Whisk the kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper, then sprinkle half of the mixture over one side of the potatoes, rub it in, and repeat on the other side with the rest of the seasoning.
- Air Fry: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket with space between them to allow circulation. Cook for 45 minutes at 400°F, flipping them halfway through. Cooking time may vary by size; check for fork-tenderness.
- Rest: Remove the potatoes with tongs and let them cool for 5 to 10 minutes so the steam settles inside.
- Slice and Serve: Slice each potato lengthwise down the middle, not cutting all the way through. Gently press the ends toward each other to open the potato, fluff the insides, and add your preferred toppings before serving.
Notes
- Pricking the potatoes allows steam to escape preventing bursting inside the air fryer.
- Olive oil helps the skin turn crisp and golden brown in the air fryer.
- Flip the potatoes halfway during cooking for even browning on all sides.
- Cooking time depends on the potato size; start checking for doneness at 40 minutes for medium-sized potatoes.
- Letting potatoes rest after cooking helps keep the inside fluffy and moist while the skin stays crispy.
- Customize your toppings to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
