These Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are crispy on the outside, fluffy and tender in the middle, and incredibly easy to make. They’re perfect as a side dish or loaded with your favorite toppings for a simple meal.
🛒 Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- ½ teaspoon paprika, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly and scrub away any dirt. Pat them completely dry.
- Pierce each potato several times with a fork. This allows steam to escape while cooking.
- Rub the potatoes all over with olive oil.
- Sprinkle generously with salt and add black pepper. Add garlic powder or paprika if desired.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes if your model requires preheating.
- Place the potatoes in the basket, leaving space between them for good air circulation.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 35–50 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.
- Turn the potatoes halfway through cooking.
- Check for doneness by inserting a fork or knife into the center. It should slide in easily and the potato should feel soft inside.
- Remove from the air fryer and let them rest for 2–3 minutes.
- Cut open, fluff the centers with a fork, and add your favorite toppings.
⭐ For Extra-Crispy Skin
For the crispiest potatoes:
- Make sure the potatoes are completely dry before adding oil.
- Don’t wrap them in foil.
- Use russet potatoes for the best fluffy interior.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Finish at 425°F (220°C) for 2–4 minutes if you want especially crunchy skin.
🧀 Best Toppings
Try loading your baked potato with:
- Butter + salt and pepper
- Cheddar cheese + sour cream
- Bacon + cheese + green onions
- Broccoli + cheddar
- Chili + cheese
- BBQ chicken
- Garlic butter + Parmesan
- Sour cream + chives
🔥 Quick Recipe Card
Temperature: 400°F / 200°C
Time: 35–50 minutes
Servings: 4
Best potato: Russet
Oil: 1–2 tablespoons
Difficulty: Easy
Tip: Potato size makes a big difference. Start checking smaller potatoes around 30–35 minutes, while very large potatoes may need 50–60 minutes.