The perfect baked potato is light and fluffy on the inside with a crispy flavorful outside that you want to eat, too! It also has to be super hot all the way through to the center for melting all those favorite toppings together to create something worthy of being the main attraction.
This is one of those recipes that is so simple it really isn’t a recipe. Turns out, the best way to make baked potatoes is right in your air fryer. They come out perfect every time.
Baking a potato in the air fryer saves time! The air fryer speeds up the baked potato cooking time by about 15 to 20 minutes. This is reason enough to make it your go-to method.
Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients that are probably already in your pantry and you are on your way.
- Potatoes - Go with Russet potatoes, which have a high starch content perfect for absorbing all those delicious toppings. Similar size potatoes will ensure that they all cook in the same amount of time.
- Olive Oil - A little drizzle on the outside of the potatoes before they head into the air fryer will get that skin extra crispy. This is optional but recommended.
- Kosher Salt — A sprinkle on the outside will add extra flavor and help dry the skin so it gets crispy. Other types of salt will work well, too.
How to Bake a Potato in an Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400° F (204° C) so it's ready to start cooking right away.
- Prep the potatoes by giving them a quick scrub or using a damp kitchen towel. Poke a few holes to allow for steam to escape, drizzle on a little olive oil and sprinkle on some salt.
- Air fry the potatoes for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the potatoes reaches 205° F.
- Enjoy!
Top Tips
- Scrub and dry the potato well. The dryer the potato is, the crispier the skin will get because it will be frying instead of steaming.
- The magic number is 205º F for the finished internal temperature. Use a Thermapen instant-read thermometer to verify the internal temperature of the potato. They will be light and fluffy at 205º.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer. The potatoes need some space to allow the hot air to hit all surfaces. If you try to place too many potatoes in at the same time, they won't cook evenly.
- Use similar-sized potatoes so they all finish cooking at the same time.
- If they aren't done, just let them cook longer. Overcooked potatoes are much better than undercooked baked potatoes.
Baked Potato Topping Ideas
It’s not a baked potato unless it’s got your favorite toppings. It's always best to serve the baked potatoes when they are super hot so all of the toppings can melt together. Here are a few ideas just in case you need some inspiration:
- Salt and Pepper - I always like adding some salt and pepper to the potato, which will bring out the flavor of everything else you put in.
- Butter - making small butter cubes or pre-slicing the butter will help it melt quickly in the hot potatoes.
- Green Onions or Chives - thinly sliced ones adds an amazing savory freshness.
- Sour Cream - that nice cool contrast with the hot potato.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese - cheesy goodness.
- Bacon - chopped up into small pieces.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning - goes great with the above toppings.
- Chili - make your baked potato into a meal by adding some hearty chili.
And if you are looking to make the whole meal in the air fryer, make some super crispy air fryer chicken wings, or chicken tenders, and some insanely easy air fryer donuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking a baked potato in an air fryer takes between 30 and 40 minutes, but depends on your specific air fryer, the size of the potatoes and how many you are cooking at the same time.
The best way to tell when the potato is cooked is to grab an instant-read thermometer. If it is around 205° F, then it is perfectly cooked. If you don't have a thermometer, you can use a paring knife to confirm it is hot and tender on the inside, or carefully give the potato a squeeze and if it is soft, then it is probably done.
Russet potatoes are the best type of potato for making baked potatoes because of their high starch content. This makes them super absorbent for all those amazing toppings you will be adding in.
More Delicious Potato Recipes
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 medium russet potatoes
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Diamond kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400º F.
- Clean and dry the potatoes with a towel. Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork to release steam during the cook. Drizzle a little olive oil all over the skin, then sprinkle some kosher salt all around.
- Place in the air fryer basket and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 205º F. It might take longer depending on the size of the potato, your specific air fryer and how many potatoes you are cooking.
- Use a fork to slice and open the potato right before adding your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- The recipe can be scaled up or down, just be careful not to overcrowd your air fryer.
- You can do the pinch test to see if the potatoes are finished cooking, but checking the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer will yield better results.
Jody says
Hello Justin
I see that you promote Breville products. Our children purchased The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for my husband and I. Could you please suggest the settings for the Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.
Thank you,
Jody
justin says
Hi Jody. Absolutely. I use the air fryer setting at 400 degrees F with the rack at the bottom third or so. There's no need to use the actual air fryer tray for the baked potatoes, the regular rack will work just fine. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Cheers,
Justin
Shakeerah W says
Hey I did it on the Airfryer option and it came out awesome crispy on the outside and nice and fluffy on the inside thank you sooo much!!!!
justin says
So glad to hear it!
Shakeerah w says
I have a Nuwave XL Oven and I LOVE IT....just wanted to know I’m making baked potatoes and I wanted to know if I still put the potatoes on the air fryer option or the baked option?
justin says
Either will work, but go with the air fryer option. This will cook the potatoes faster and will make for crispier skin.
Gayle Minto says
Sorry about my confusion but...in the Breville Smart Oven there is regular bake, convection bake and super convection. So at 400 Which one did you use?!?! I'm new to this product!
justin says
No worries at all. For the Breville smart oven air, they are basically different fan speeds. Super convection is the same as air fryer. They just give you short cuts to get their quicker. You could use bake with super convection or air fryer. Either should work great. 🙂
Tcolatx says
Fool proof baked potatoes! This is my second time cooking two large russet baking potatoes. I cooked them while I prepared and cooks a couple of cast iron skillet ribeyes and green beans with bacon and almonds. What a delicious 40 minute meal! I love microwaved taters for a fast side, but these are far superior if you have a little more time and a must have with steak! Thanks so much for the great recipe!
justin says
Oh yeah! This sounds so delicious. Seriously, a perfect baked potato and steak can't be beaten. 🙂
kiki says
many thanks from Italy for this recipe. Here we don't cook potatoes in this way and I have appreciated a lot your tips and your ideas for toppings: I do needed some inspirations! I will try this evening 🙂
Jan says
Perfect bakers!!! Gotta be honest, I did a little cheat, didn't have 30 to 40 minutes. After washing three Russets, wrapped them in a paper towel and microwaved on high 3 1/2 minutes. They were all dry, so I rubbed them with some of my newly purchased Macadamia Nut oil, sprinkled them with Kosher salt, and into the preheated air fryer. The smaller ones were ready in 15 minutes, fatter one took four minutes more to reach 205*F. They were every bit as good as Russets made only in the air fryer.
justin says
Hi Jan. That's so great to hear about your little shortcut. I find myself using the microwave to make bakers when I realize "oh, a baked potato would be great but I only have 10 minutes."
Love the idea of the hybrid cook. I'll have to do a side by side comparison and add this as a tip. Thanks so much!
Gosia says
The potatoes definately need more time. I had mine in for 55 min and they were still not cooked to buttery soft middle. My thermometer goes only to 180 degrees, so I couldn't check them if they were at 205. I had 3 russet potatoes in. Next time, I will cook them for 60-65 min and will add 5-10 min for any additional potato. Thanks for the recipe!
justin says
More time is always better than less. It really depends on the size of your potatoes and even your air fryer. So glad they came out good in the end. 🙂
JosieBlue says
Wow, these were the best baked potatoes I have ever made. Buttery/fluffy inside and crispy on the outside. I used large Yukon gold potatoes which took 40 minutes.
The air fryer will be my go-to method for bake potatoes. Thanks!
justin says
So glad to hear it!
Micheal Turner says
Awesome
justin says
Glad it was awesome for you!
Richard A Deckard says
Are you still love with your Breville Smart Oven Air?
justin says
Hi Richard,
I sure am. I still use it almost every day. Even after a kitchen remodel with a fancy new oven, I use the Breville much more often. Let me know if you have any questions about it.
Cheers,
Justin
JoAnn D says
Made these last night big hit with the family, soft and a touch of sweetness!!!
justin says
Hi JoAnn,
So glad to hear. Now I'm craving some baked potatoes for dinner. So yummy and I love making extra for the next day.
Cheers,
Justin
Kim says
I just made an air fryer baked potato and peeled it, diced it and made potato salad with it. ❤️ It turned out amazing! I'll do the baked potato for hubby when he's home but I can't eat more than 4 oz per meal soooo I'll have him try it as baked. Nice crispy peeling though.
Cyndee says
The texture in the air fryer is far superior!
justin says
Totally agree, Cyndee!
BRUCE L DUDLEY says
I don't doubt the air fryer would make the outside crispier. But, a microwave will do that in 6 min. If you've got the time and electricity use the air fryer. But when I want food I want it fast, chicken nuggets, french fries, meat loaf, fried fish, shrimp, yes; use the air fryer. But for baked potatoe, I'm sticking with Chef Mike
justin says
Hey Bruce. Agree about the speed and convenience of the microwave. But the texture doesn't come out the same for me.
Irene Aldrete says
I will never Use anything else again but my air fryer for baked potatoes
justin says
Totaly agree, Irene. They just come out perfect!
Stacy says
Who doesn’t love a baked potato?!?! Great as a side or as a meal.
Julian says
Question: I like to eat my skin on the potatoe. Is this style to crispy for that?
justin says
Me too, Julian! It's perfect for eating. 🙂
Susan Lindner says
I just made double dipped chicken tenders( dipped in egg mixture and bread crumbs twice) for 17 minutes at 370. They were delish!
justin says
Awesome. Love the idea of double dipping for the crumbs for extra crunch. Great idea!