Air Fryer Baked Potato

Is there any better side dish than a baked potato? A family-friendly vegetable option, spuds only gets easier (and crispier!) when prepared in an air fryer. That's right, there's no need to preheat an oven (or your whole kitchen); these potatoes bake up fast and crispy. Fluffy baked potatoes make a perfect weeknight side dish for a pan-fried ribeye, roast chicken, or on its own, loaded with toppings!

How do you bake a potato in an air fryer?

Start by scrubbing potatoes clean, then drying them well. (This will help the skin crisp up, rather than steam!) Brush them all over with olive oil then season with salt and pepper. (You’ll eat these potatoes, skin and all!) Pop them in the air fryer, leaving a little space between each. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Flip the potatoes, then cook for another 20 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender enough to easily slide a paring knife into the flesh. 

How long does it take to bake a potato in an air fryer?

For medium-sized russet potatoes (about 12 ounces each), it takes 50 to 55 minutes to cook three of them in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For smaller potatoes (about 8 ounces each), it takes about 45 to 50 minutes at the same temperature. Cooking only one potato at a time? Start checking the potato for doneness about 10 minutes earlier that the recipes calls for. (One potato will cook faster than three!)

Do you pierce potatoes before baking in the air fryer? 

Yes, it is a good idea to pierce each potato 3 to 4 times, with a fork, before cooking them in an air fryer. This allows the steam to escape the potato and helps to prevent the potato from splitting when cooking.