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Air fryer baked potato: Get ready for the best baked potato of your life! Cooking a Russet potato in the air fryer delivers a perfectly crisp peel and pillowy interior.
The whole thing is ready to go in 35 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of your potato.
Whenever I see people wrapping aluminum foil around a potato before popping it into the oven, I want to dive in front of them slow motion style, as if I’m saving them from an oncoming train.
Noooooooooooooo…..
That’s because the best part of the baked potato, without a doubt, is the crisp, crackly peel. Wrap that baby in foil, and you’re never going to get that slight crunch that makes the baked potato experience.
Yes, some people are all about the pillowy texture of the potato inside – ready to be fluffed with a fork and some non-dairy butter. And sure, I like that too. But the peel? That’s where the magic is at.
In fact, one of my first memories is sitting at the dining room table. And I must have been only four or five.
We would have baked potatoes for dinner. And I’d eat the peel first with just enough of the fluff that I’d be allowed to leave the table.
However, in my adult life, baked potatoes haven’t been a part of my usual dinner repertoire.
It’s not because my love for them has dampened. Rather, I’m typically not thinking about what I’d like to eat in an hour from now.
I usually top out at about 45 minutes. And cooking potatoes in the oven requires an hour of forethought.
So over the years, I’ve generally opted for baked french fries instead when I was in a potato-y mood. They’re ready in 30 minutes, about the same time as everything else on my plate.
Air fryer baked potato
All of that has changed, though, with the air fryer.
I’ve talked about my deep and unabiding love for my air fryer many times over. Now it has revolutionized how I feel about the baked potato.
(Okay, so “baked” isn’t entirely appropriate since baking isn’t involved. What else do you call a whole cooked potato? How about jacket potato in the air fryer?)
First off, the air fryer gets the peel perfectly crackling crisp. It’s flaky, and chewy, and everything you could want in a peel.
And the inside? Oh, my gosh. It’s so steaming, and light. Airy even.
And to finish off all of this sorcery, the whole shebang is ready to go in 35 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of your potato.
I recommend throwing an extra baked potato into the air fryer for your vegan packed lunch the next day. Lunch sorted!
(Can you air fry a potato in foil? You can, but why would you? Foil is safe in an air fryer, but save it for this roasted garlic air fryer recipe instead.)
I’ve been filling my air fryer baked potato with non-dairy butter, Kite Hill chive cream cheese, freshly chopped chives, salt, and pepper.
But you can go all out with the fillings!
Move this air fryer baked potato into meal category with the addition of browned seitan bacon and kalamata olives.
There’s really no wrong way to do this jacket potato. You could even load it up with 3 bean chili and a ladling of cashew queso. It’s rife with possibilities!
Air fryer baked potato with all the fixins
Ingredients
For the baked potato
- 1 medium Russet potato
- 1 teaspoon organic canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
For the toppings - Any or all of the following
- Dollop of vegan butter
- Dollop of vegan cream cheese or sour cream Kite Hill chive cream cheese is my favorite.
- 1 strip seitan bacon diced and browned in skillet with oil
- 1 Tablespoon sliced kalamata olives
- 1 Tablespoon chopped chives
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Using a knife, poke holes into a medium sized Russet potato. Rub the potato with oil, onion powder, and coarse salt. Put in the air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 390 degrees. Cook for 35 - 40 minutes, turning once halfway through. (The time will vary depending on the size of your potato.) If the potato gets too dark on the outside, lower the temperature to 370 degrees. When a fork pierces into the potato easily, it's done.
- Cut through the potato and fill with any or all of the optional toppings.
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
I totally agree about the skin being the best part! I never wrap my potatoes in foil. I made baked potatoes in the air fryer for the first time a few weeks ago and they were amazing! I’m going to try some of these fixin’s next time!
Cadry says
Yes! Aren’t they so good in the air fryer? We’ve now been having baked potatoes at least a couple times a week. They’re a wonderful change of pace and so delicious.
Bianca Phillips says
Cadry, this is life-changing! The air fryer is the greatest invention of our time, if you ask me. I can’t wait to try baking potatoes in mine!!
Cadry says
I’m glad you are equally enchanted by your air fryer. I talk about mine so much that people are like, “Are you selling these?” Haha! Maybe I should be! I can’t wait to hear about your baked potato results in it. You are going to love it!
Claire says
Haha yeah I never got the whole “foil-wrapped” thing… like, just boil the potato if you want it all soft?!
(To answer your rhetorical question… you could go British-English and call it a jacket potato, thereby eliminating any confusion as to the baking method…)
Hummus on a jacket potato has been my latest revelation! Even better, hummus and olives… surprisingly delicious!
Cadry says
Thank you, Claire! I’m glad you’re with me about the madness of wrapping a potato in foil. I can understand if a person is putting the potato directly on coals on a fire or something to protect it, but in the oven? No way!
You know, when we were in England, I saw jacket potatoes for sale all over, but I didn’t realize that was just the name for a baked potato. That’s super cute! It’s a potato that’s still wearing its jacket.
I’ll have to try hummus on my potato next time. That sounds delicious!
Debra Maslov says
Looks delicious, thank you! Have you tried cooking 2 potatoes at once in the air fryer?
Cadry says
Thanks, Debra! Yes, I usually cook two potatoes at the same time. It works with the same time and temperature. 😀
Nellie says
I too have a love of my air fryer! I use it every day. It’s like having a microwave that acts like an oven! I can’t wait to try it with a baked potato. So far I’ve done frozen French fries, onion rings, kale chips, whole grilled sandwiches, cookies, and broccoli
Cadry says
You’re so right that an air fryer is like a microwave that acts like an oven. It is speedy like a microwave, but with the results of an oven. I haven’t tried whole grilled sandwiches in it yet or cookies! How intriguing! That’s a fun thing about it too. There’s so much to explore in terms of possibilities.
Leslie says
If you try the grilled sandwich, like grilled cheese, make sure you flip halfway through. That way you get toasty bread on both sides.
Cadry says
Noted! I’ll remember to do that. Thanks for the tip!
Shell says
I love seeing all of the things I can make in an air fryer! I wouldn’t have thought of a baked potato. My new air fryer is ready to go – just need to have some time to give it a try!
Cadry says
You’ll have to let me know when you try something for the first time. It can feel a little intimidating the first time, but after using it for a time or two, you’re going to love it.
Shell says
I used my air fryer for the first time tonight and made these baked potatoes. They were amazing! They were so crispy on the outside and very soft on the inside. I am already thinking about what I want to make in it next.
Cadry says
That’s great, Shell! I’m so glad your first air fryer experience was a success!
Yvonne Potts says
Where is your website about the Air Fryer? I would like to know more about it.
Cadry says
Here is a link to my post about it, Yvonne. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask! https://cadryskitchen.com/2017/02/09/air-fryer/
Pamm Mosey says
Because of your blog, I had to get an air fryer. Found a great one on sale a few weeks ago and we’re having a blast with it. Best thing I’ve made so far are calzones (recipe came with the fryer, but it had meat and cheese in it). I’ve put a few things in with the vegan cheese and they come out great. I was recently making a loaf in the crock pot and had a couple of sweet potatoes that I wanted to cook, so I just threw them in there. Came out great, but you inspired me to cook them in the air fryer Also, aluminum foil isn’t exactly safe to cook in – the aluminum will leach into your food and many studies show that this is not safe!!!
Thanks for all of your wonderful posts Cadry!
Cadry says
Aw, that’s so great, Pamm! I’m so happy to hear that you got a great deal on an air fryer, and that you’re loving it as much as I am. Calzones are a wonderful idea! I need to do that too. Vegan calzones are a rarity in restaurants, but I really like them. Thank you for such a nice comment! It means a lot.
Doug says
Can the oil rub be skipped for those of us avoiding oil? Thanks
Cadry says
Hi, Doug! Yes, you shouldn’t have a problem skipping the oil. I’ve read from others who have made a baked potato in the air fryer without it. I’d just recommend keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn, and lowering the temperature if needed. Please let me know how it goes for you!
Cadry says
Hi again, Doug! My mom happened to mention that she followed my air fryer potato recipe but with no oil. She also made it again with oil. She said that it worked just fine either way, but the oil-free version was a little drier for obvious reasons. She said even without oil, the potato peel still got crisp. I wanted to let you know!
Kristina says
I cannot wait to try an AF potato! we LOVE to have a potato bar with all the good stuff to make your own…
Cadry says
Oh, a potato bar is a great idea! That would make for a fun, easy, and delicious dinner party too.
Patti Verlengia says
I am totally going out to buy potatoes today so I can do this. Can’t believe I’ve owned an air fryer this long and never done a baked potato in it.
Cadry says
Once you’ve had a potato in the air fryer, you’ll never do it any other way! It gets the peel so perfectly crispy, while the inside is pillowy soft.
Tisha says
I haven’t used my air fryer all that much since I got it. I actually have not been happy with it. I will say to it’s credit….I haven’t tried a large varieties of things yet. I am excited about trying the baked potato though. It get’s so hot here in Florida and I would like to have a baked potato during the summer sometime (when it is too hot for the oven). Thanks for posting and sharing!!!!
Cadry says
That’s too bad that you haven’t been happy with your air fryer. Hopefully as you make some more things with it, you’ll find more dishes that you enjoy in it. I think the air fryer makes the best baked potato. You’ll have to let me know what you think! In the Florida heat, I don’t blame you for not wanting to turn on the oven. Best of luck!
Tisha Wood says
I made the baked potato and loved it! Crispy skin and baked through. Thank you!!!
Cadry says
Excellent! I’m so glad to hear that, Tisha!
Donna says
I’m curious to know how you fixed the left over potato for lunch. I’ve never thought of reheating a baked potato … or eating one cold either.
Cadry says
I just reheated it in the microwave. The peel isn’t crispy reheated that way, but it’s still pretty tasty.
rod says
my air fryer does go up tp 390c
so what brand are you using please
Cadry says
I use GoWise. Just do 390 instead. It won’t make a big difference either way. At most, you’ll have to cook it a couple of minutes longer.
Liz says
Hi! Has anyone tried a baked sweet potato? I have a brand new air fryer to play with. ☺
Cadry says
Yes, sweet potatoes are also great in the air fryer! I make them the same way. Depending on the size of your sweet potato, they may take less time.
Kaveri says
Oh my gosh. Bought mine today and inaugurated it with these crispy delicious baked potatoes. Haven’t had better.
Becky Striepe says
This is my go-to baked potato recipe. So perfect, no matter how I top it!
Cadry says
That’s wonderful, Becky! Yes, the options are limitless in terms of toppings. You can choose your flavor adventure!
Shell says
I use this recipe over and over again. Perfect baked potatoes!
Cadry says
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know, Shell. <3
Debb says
Hi –
Can’t wait to try baked potatoes in my new air fryer! Will this work as well with EVOO vs canola oil? Also regarding bacon topping suggestion – have u tried cooking the bacon in the fryer? Just curious i bet it would come out nice & crispy too.☺ Thanks for the recipe.
Cadry says
Oh, yes, you can use any kind of oil you want. EVOO will be just fine. I haven’t tried cooking the bacon in the air fryer. Vegan bacon doesn’t have a lot of fat in it. So I’ve worried it would get kind of dried out in the air fryer. I like my vegan bacon just a little bit oily. So a pan works for me. But my friend, Kristina, likes to make mini burritos in the air fryer with rice paper bacon. It sounds really good! Good luck, Debb!
Jim corbett says
Hi cadry we have bought a Tefal actifry with a rotating paddle could you please tell me if we can do jacket potatoes in it as it says to always use the paddle when in use. The recipe book does not mention jacket potatoes. There is only one temperature on it and that is 180. If we can do them then how long would it take to bake them. Thank you regards Jim.
Cadry says
Hi Jim, I’m not personally familiar with the Actifry. However, I googled more information about their air fryer. It looks like that one temperature of 180 is Celsius. So in Farenheit, which is what this recipe is listed at, that would be 356 degrees. That’s a little lower than the temperature I use. So that just means, you’ll need to cook it longer. While I was googling, I saw that people who have an Actifry air fryer sometimes microwave their whole potatoes first, so that cuts down on cooking time, and then they finish it in the air fryer. It seems that a lot of people do remove that paddle before cooking a whole potato. Best of luck!