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.
Baked potatoes are hearty, simply delicious, and meal-worthy all on their own. But waiting for them to cook for an hour in the oven is a slog.
Not anymore!
When you use an air fryer, baked potatoes with perfectly crisp peels don’t have to be relegated to a once or twice a year affair. They’re ready to go in just 35 to 40 minutes. (Times vary a little, depending on the size of the potato you’re using.)
And best of all, it’s mostly hands-off. So you can go about your life doing other things while dinner is being made.
Sure, you could zap potatoes in the microwave and be done in about five minutes. But once you taste that wonderfully crackling peel & airy inside of an air fried baked potato, the microwave days will be behind you.
What kind of potatoes are best?
I recommend using Russet potatoes. There’s a reason they’re a classic. They are starchy, and have a weighty skin.
Do I need to wrap it in foil before cooking it?
Absolutely not! In fact, I recommend that you don’t.
Whenever I see people wrapping aluminum foil around a potato, 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 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.
(You can save your foil for roasted garlic instead!)
How to cook a potato in the air fryer
Start by scrubbing Russet potatoes with water. I like to use a clean scratcher pad or scrub brush. Then wipe the potatoes dry with a towel.
Use a knife or fork to poke several holes into the potatoes. It will help the potatoes to vent the steam building up in them as they cook. That way there’s no risk of them exploding and making a mess.
Rub or spray the potatoes with oil. I use organic canola, but any neutral-flavored high heat oil will work.
(Prefer to skip the oil? That’s fine. The peel won’t get quite as crispy, but otherwise, the taste is still good.)
After oiling the potatoes, you can add other seasonings like granulated onion, garlic powder, and/or coarse salt.
Put the potatoes into the fryer basket.
Make sure not to overcrowd, so that there’s room for air flow around the potatoes. Four medium-sized potatoes fit nicely in most baskets.
Air fry at 390 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Stop about half way through to flip the potatoes with a fork or tongs.
The time will vary a little, depending on the size of your potatoes. You’ll know the potatoes are done when you can easily stick a fork into them.
Slice the potatoes open, and fluff the inside of the potatoes with a fork. Fill with your preferred toppings.
Delicious topping ideas
There are so many topping options!
- Keep it simple with non-dairy butter, salt, and pepper.
- Add a dollop of vegan cream cheese and a smattering of freshly chopped chives or green onions.
- Make it a loaded baked potato. Cover the potatoes in browned crispy bits of seitan bacon with shredded non-dairy cheese or vegan sour cream.
- Slather the potatoes in three bean chili and a ladling of cashew queso.
- Make a taco-flavored potato with spicy black beans, easy guacamole, and salsa.
- Make a vegan Philly cheesesteak potato with jackfruit “steak” & cashew cheese sauce.
Great for leftovers
Even though you could put just one potato in the fryer basket, I recommend putting in a few extra. Cooked potatoes are so handy to have on hand for leftovers.
You can have them topped with any of the topping options above in a packed lunch. Or you can use them in a breakfast burrito or breakfast nests.
Having cooked potatoes on hand is a great time saver!
Air fryer baked potato recipe
Ingredients
For the baked potato
- 1 medium Russet potato*
- 1 teaspoon organic canola oil
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon coarse salt
Baked potato toppings
- Dollop vegan butter
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Chives chopped (Optional garnish)
Instructions
- Using a knife or fork, 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, fluff the interior with a fork, and fill with any or all of the optional toppings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally posted April 2017. Content, recipe, and photos updated October 2019.
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen
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
Yes! Aren’t they so good? 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
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
I’m glad you are equally enchanted by yours. 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
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
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
Looks delicious, thank you! Have you tried cooking 2 potatoes at once in the air fryer?
Cadry
Thanks, Debra! Yes, I usually cook two potatoes at the same time. It works with the same time and temperature. 😀
Nellie
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
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
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
Noted! I’ll remember to do that. Thanks for the tip!
Sharron Biccum
Do you heat the air fryer first before you grill the sandwich
Cadry Nelson
Personally, I never preheat the air fryer.
Shell
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
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
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
That’s great, Shell! I’m so glad your first experience was a success!
Joanne
Do I keep the tray in on bottom of basket for baked potato’s. I never know if I should when making food in basket. Thank you in advance.
Cadry
I’m a little confused by your question. The basket itself fits inside of the unit, so that oily foods can drip into it. They usually snap apart in some way. But the basket is always inside of the larger unit when cooking. Do you mean are additional trays needed? If so, no. You don’t need any additional trays. The potatoes can go right in the basket that has holes. If you watch the video or look at the picture of the potatoes in the basket, that should clear things up. I hope that helps!
Yvonne Potts
Where is your website about the Air Fryer? I would like to know more about it.
Cadry
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
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
Aw, that’s so great, Pamm! I’m so happy to hear that you got a great deal, 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
Can the oil rub be skipped for those of us avoiding oil? Thanks
Cadry
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
Hi again, Doug! My mom happened to mention that she followed my 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
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
Oh, a potato bar is a great idea! That would make for a fun, easy, and delicious dinner party too.
Patti Verlengia
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
Once you’ve had a potato like this, you’ll never do it any other way! It gets the peel so perfectly crispy, while the inside is pillowy soft.
Tisha
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
That’s too bad that you haven’t been happy with yours. 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
I made the baked potato and loved it! Crispy skin and baked through. Thank you!!!
Cadry
Excellent! I’m so glad to hear that, Tisha!
Donna
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
I just reheated it in the microwave. The peel isn’t crispy reheated that way, but it’s still pretty tasty.
Kelly
Wondering if you’ve tried reheating in the air fryer with any success? The air fryer is wonderful for them to re-crisp things up like pizza I’m thinking maybe it will do the same for a potato. I’ll let you know if/when I try it
Cadry
That’s a great question, Kelly! I still haven’t tried reheating a potato in the air fryer. I’ll be eager to hear how it goes for you. And if I get a chance to try it, I’ll let you know!
Liz
Hi! Has anyone tried a baked sweet potato? I have a brand new air fryer to play with. ☺
Cadry
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
Oh my gosh. Bought mine today and inaugurated it with these crispy delicious baked potatoes. Haven’t had better.
Becky Striepe
This is my go-to baked potato recipe. So perfect, no matter how I top it!
Cadry
That’s wonderful, Becky! Yes, the options are limitless in terms of toppings. You can choose your flavor adventure!
Shell
I use this recipe over and over again. Perfect baked potatoes!
Cadry
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know, Shell. <3
Debb
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
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
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
Hi Jim, I’m not personally familiar with the Actifry. However, I googled more information about it. 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 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!
Don Philip Mims
We tried this recipe the potato turned out just like you you said it would. Thank you.
Cadry
I’m so glad to hear it. Thanks for letting me know, Don!
Ann
I used to prepare potatoes this way for some period of time as it was my favourite one. Now it is difficult to surprise someone with a potato dish, because it is a frequent product on our dining tables. But I cooked this air fryer baked potato recently and everyone was delighted! I guess, everybody just forgot this perfect taste. A simple and very tasty dish, I recommend everyone to cook it, it doesn’t require too much time. I also like to add some Italian herbs. Thank you!
Cadry
It sounds like absence makes the heart grow fonder when it comes to baked potatoes! I’m glad your family was delighted anew. Good call on the Italian herbs. That sounds like a tasty addition. Thanks for the lovely comment!
Penny
For some reason baked potatoes I’ve made in the oven never came out perfectly crispy on the outside/soft on the inside, but this recipe makes them perfect! This is the only way I’ll make them from now on! Thanks!
–Penny
Cadry
Yay! I’m so glad to hear it was a resounding success. Thanks for letting me know!
Joe Tairei
One word: yum!
I just tried a Russet potato in my Cosori air fryer: 35 mins. at 380. It was slightly under done in the middle, so I ran it another 5 mins. and it was perfect. So, 40 minutes at 380 is right for the Cosori, for a 9 oz. spud.
To prepare it, I sprayed a bit of avocado oil (a plastic spray bottle by Pam, my new favorite way to oil things) and sprinkled some Himalayan pink salt (grinder + extra bottle combo on coupon at Costco a few months ago).
My favorite way to eat baked spuds is to cut in half, butter each half and generously sprinkle with nutritional yeast. This was absolutely delicious and now I have plans to feed my family from the couple of huge bags of Russets I got recently from Costco!
Thanks for the recipe, bookmarked.
-JT
Cadry
That’s great to hear, Joe! Thanks for your tips & nice feedback!
Denise Drury
Hi. I know jacket potatoes/baked potatoes are suppose to be so easy to cook in air fryer, but I’ve tried 3 times and they are always hard inside as though they are still raw. What am I doing wrong ?
Cadry Nelson
Depending on the size of the potatoes & the specific machine, times will vary. So I’d recommend cooking longer and/or buying smaller potatoes. Make sure you are also puncturing holes into the potato with a fork or knife, so that it can release the steam inside.
When air frying, once you can stick a fork into the potato and easily remove it, it’s done.
For potatoes that cook in even less time, try making baby potatoes in the air fryer.