Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Perfectly fluffy centers with buttery goodness, finished in the air fryer for the ultimate weeknight comfort.
There’s something timeless and deeply comforting about a warm baked potato—especially when it’s split open, steaming hot, fluffed to perfection, and topped with real butter and a sprinkle of salt. It’s simple, familiar, and absolutely delicious.
Using the air fryer makes the process quicker, more energy-efficient, and every bit as satisfying as oven-baked. In this recipe, the potatoes are first wrapped in foil to lock in moisture, creating that soft, steamy interior we all love.
Then, just before they’re done, we partially unwrap them, slice them down the middle, fluff the insides, and return them to the air fryer for a few final minutes to dry out the tops just enough to create that irresistible texture. A generous pat of butter and a pinch of salt at the end takes these over the top.
Why You’ll Love This Method
- No oven required: Keeps your kitchen cool and uses less energy.
- Perfect texture: Moist and fluffy inside with lightly crisped tops.
- Customizable: Dress them up with toppings or keep it simple with butter and salt.
- Hands-off cooking: Let the air fryer do the work while you prepare the rest of dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 to 4 medium russet potatoes (scrubbed and dried)
- Olive oil (for coating the skin)
- Salt (to season the skin + extra for topping)
- Butter (for that perfect melty finish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the potatoes:
Start by giving your potatoes a good scrub to remove any dirt. Dry them completely with a clean towel. Then, rub each potato with a light coating of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. This not only seasons the skin but also helps it cook up beautifully in the foil.
2. Wrap in foil:
Wrap each potato individually in foil. This traps in steam during cooking, helping to create that fluffy interior. Don’t wrap too tightly—you want the air to circulate a bit inside.
3. First round in the air fryer:
Place the foil-wrapped potatoes in your air fryer basket, making sure they’re not overcrowded. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 35 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. You’ll know they’re ready for the next step when you can easily pierce them with a knife or fork.
4. Unwrap, split, and fluff:
Carefully open the foil—watch out for steam! Partially unwrap each potato, then use a knife to slice them down the middle lengthwise. Grab a fork and gently fluff the inside to create that soft, pillowy texture.
5. Final crisping:
Return the opened potatoes (still resting on the foil) to the air fryer for another 3 to 5 minutes. This quick blast helps dry out the top layer of the fluffy interior slightly, giving it a bit more body while keeping the inside tender and buttery-soft.
6. Butter and finish:
Remove from the air fryer and immediately top each potato with a generous pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt. Serve warm.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Use russet potatoes for the fluffiest texture and best results.
- Don’t skip the olive oil and salt rub—it gives the skin flavor and helps it cook evenly.
- Want crispy skin instead? You can skip the foil altogether, but expect a slightly drier inside.
- Add toppings! These potatoes are amazing on their own, but even better with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or your favorite baked potato toppings.
Serving Ideas
These baked potatoes make the perfect side dish for steak, roasted chicken, pork chops, or grilled veggies. You can also turn them into a full meal by loading them with chili, broccoli and cheddar, or leftover taco meat. They’re endlessly versatile and always satisfying.
If you’ve been looking for a no-fuss way to enjoy classic baked potatoes with that old-fashioned comfort but modern-day ease, this air fryer method is for you.
Wrapping them in foil keeps them tender and fluffy, and that last-minute unwrapping and fluffing step is the secret to buttery-soft potatoes every time. Whether you keep it simple with butter and salt or pile on the toppings, these air fryer baked potatoes are bound to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.
