Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are fluffy on the inside and have crispy, perfectly seasoned skin on the outside. Making them in the Air Fryer is quick and simple!
This is my tried and true method for how to make baked potatoes in the Air Fryer! We love baked potatoes with a steak dinner or with our Air Fryer pork chops, but they also make a complete meal topped with sour cream, grated cheese, and crumbled bacon.
It’s a favorite in our house and even my husband who is picky with potatoes loves these because they’re the PERFECT baked potatoes! The skin is crispy, golden, with a slight crunch and perfectly seasoned with salt, the insides are so fluffy and perfectly cooked through. It took me a few tries, but after using some tricks I learned from Cook’s Illustrated, they came out perfect.
The secret to the BEST baked potatoes is to coat them with saltwater instead of salt and to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 205 degrees F. By coating them with saltwater the salt sticks better to the skin and it crisps up nicely without being leathery. I also spray them with oil after 30 minutes in the Air Fryer because coating them with oil before baking prevents the skin from crisping up.
The best Potatoes for Baking
You could use any potato for this recipe, but the BEST potatoes for baked potatoes are Russet potatoes (they also work best for scalloped potatoes and fluffy mashed potatoes). Their skin is thick and crisps up nicely and the starchy interior gets fluffy and flavorful during baking. They are also perfectly sized!
How to cook a baked potato in the air fryer
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found at the bottom of the page on the printable recipe card.
- Scrub potatoes and lightly pierce with a fork several times. In a bowl combine water and salt, stir until the salt has dissolved. Toss potatoes in the bowl until evenly coated with saltwater.
- Place potatoes in the Air Fryer basket and cook for 40-45 minutes (see times for different sizes below).
- After 30 minutes, spray potatoes with oil spray or brush with oil. Potatoes are perfectly fluffy and cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 205 degrees F. If you don’t have a thermometer pierce with a fork, they should feel soft on the inside.
- Take potatoes out of the Air Fryer and immediately cut skin with a knife in a criss-cross shape or straight so the steam can escape.
FAQ
- Can you make baked sweet potatoes in the Air Fryer? Yes, you can! The preparation and timing are slightly different so check out my Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes recipe.
- Do you need to prick potatoes? Not really, but I still recommend it! The risk of them exploding is pretty low, but it only takes a second to do it and I rather take that little extra step.
- Do I need to wrap the potatoes in foil? No, the skin would not crisp up if they are covered in foil!
- Is this method better than making them in the Instant Pot? Yes, because of the skin crisps up in the Air Fryer!
- Isn’t it a lot faster to make them in the Microwave? Yes, BUT the potatoes don’t cook evenly in the microwave and the skin doesn’t crisp up.
- My Air Fryer doesn’t have a 400 degree F setting, what temperature should I use? Use the temperature that is closest to 400 degrees F, a bit higher is fine. Cooking time might change slightly.
- When are baked potatoes done? They are cooked through and evenly fluffy at an internal temperature of 205 degrees F (I recommend using an Instant-Read Thermometer)
Toppings for Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Classic Baked Potatoes: Sour Cream, Grated Cheddar, chopped Chives, Bacon Pieces, Pepper
- Chili Baked Potato: Top with a big scoop of homemade chili, sour cream, and grated cheese
- Vegan Baked Potato: Use vegan “sour cream” and vegan butter. Top with beans, guacamole, salsa, or veggies.
- Greek Baked Potato: Topp with Tzatziki sauce, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Gyros, crumbled Feta cheese, and chopped tomatoes
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil, or cooking spray (not olive oil)
To Garnish
- Sour Cream
- Grated Cheddar
- Chives, chopped
- Bacon Pieces
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees F. Scrub potatoes and lightly pierce with a fork several times.
- In a bowl combine water and salt, stir until the salt has dissolved. Toss potatoes in the bowl until evenly coated with saltwater.
- Place potatoes in the Air Fryer basket and cook for 40-45 minutes (see times for different sizes below). After 30 minutes, spray potatoes with oil spray or brush with oil. Potatoes are done when they reach an internal temperature of 205 degrees F. If you don’t have a thermometer pierce with a fork, they should feel soft on the inside.
- Take potatoes out of the Air Fryer and immediately cut skin with a knife in a criss-cross shape or straight so the steam can escape.
Notes
- Use similar sized potatoes so they are done at the same time
- Russet potatoes work best for baked potatoes
- Prick the potatoes with a fork before cooking
- Cut the potatoes open immediately after they are done, so the steam can escape, this way they get extra fluffy
- Aim for an internal temperature of 205 degrees F
Julia Smith says
Can’t wait to try more of your air fryer recipes. I was given one for a present and love using it so far, just needed more good recipes.