These Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are the easiest way to make soft, fluffy baked potatoes with perfectly crispy skin, just as if they were roasted in the oven. The best way to make baked potatoes and cooking them in the air fryer makes it quicker and super easy! Freezer-friendly, vegan, Whole30 and easy to make ahead!
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Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Move over, oven, and make way for the air fryer! You won’t miss oven-baked potatoes once you try this recipe. The air fryer will cook them perfectly – with crispy skin and a tender interior – every time!
These potatoes are vegan, grain-free, gluten-free and Whole30. They cook with just two other ingredients, then the rest is up to you. You can add whatever toppings you’d like! Baked potatoes are a fool-proof dish that can be served as a simple lunch, a holiday side or anything in between. This recipe will become your go-to method for making them!
Not a fan of regular baked potatoes? Try this method with our air fryer sweet potatoes! We use our air fryer all the time and have a ton of air fryer recipes and this helpful air fryer guide on how to use an air fryer.
Recipe Ingredients
You don’t need very many ingredients to make air fryer baked potatoes. Just the potatoes, some oil and a bit of sea salt! The rest of the ingredients listed are optional toppings that I like to add to mine.
- Medium Russet Potatoes: They should each be between 8-10 ounces. Scrub, rinse and dry them before using.
- Avocado Oil: For that coveted crispy skin!
- Coarse Sea Salt: You’ll need half a teaspoon to season the potatoes before they bake.
- Salt & Pepper: Season the baked potatoes with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
- Vegan Butter: Or ghee. Feel free to use regular, grass-fed butter if you’re not vegan/dairy-free.
- Fresh Chopped Parsley: Or chives.
How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer
There’s nothing tricky about this recipe. If you’ve made any kind of baked potatoes before, you probably already know what to do!
- Heat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Pierce Potato Skin: Use a fork to pierce the potatoes all around.
- Coat with Oil & Season: Drizzle or brush the potatoes with oil and rub with your hands to coat all around. Season with salt.
- Cook: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and roast for 40-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and can be pierced easily with a fork.
- Remove & Serve: Use tongs to remove the potatoes from the air fryer, then cut each one lengthwise to split. Serve with optional toppings and enjoy!
Topping Ideas
There are tons of toppings that taste terrific on baked potatoes, no matter what dietary restrictions you may have! Here are a few suggestions:
- Vegan Sour Cream: For that cool and creamy topping that melts into the potato and makes it even more delicious, just use your favorite brand of vegan sour cream.
- Vegetables: I love a good baked potato topped with a heaping pile of veggies. Olives, beans, broccoli, avocados – you name it!
- Vegan Cheese: You can’t go wrong with cheese as a topping…ever. It’s an easy way to give your potatoes a little something extra.
- Tofu: My ultra crispy Air Fryer Tofu is always a treat, but it’s especially tasty on top of a steaming baked potato!
Tips for Success
Want some more advice for achieving baked potato perfection with your air fryer? Take note of these simple tips and tricks.
- Use Russet Potatoes: Will this recipe work with other kinds of potatoes? Definitely. But I highly recommend trying it with russet potatoes at least once. They just get so fluffy and delicious!
- Pierce Potatoes All Around: It’s always a good idea to pierce the skin of your potatoes before baking them. This prevents any sort of explosions that, although rare, could happen.
- Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer: If you want the potato skin to come out crispy, avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket. It’s better to work in batches instead. There should be a bit of space between each potato.
- Use Similar Sized Potatoes: It’s fine if your potatoes aren’t all exactly the same size as each other, but they should be pretty close. Larger potatoes take longer to bake than smaller ones.
Serving Suggestions
Plenty of main dishes and other sides pair wonderfully with baked potatoes. They couldn’t be more versatile! I like serving mine alongside the following recipes.
- Serve with Chili: My easy recipe for Vegan Chili is the ultimate pairing for these baked potatoes. Such a hearty and comforting homemade dinner idea!
- Pair with Roasted Veggies: Two negatives might not make a positive, but two side dishes can certainly make a meal! Serve your baked potatoes with a fresh and healthy side of Air Fryer Asparagus.
- Serve with Stew: This Vegetable Stew is another tasty and nutritious recipe to go along with baked potatoes.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover baked potatoes should be stored in the fridge once they’ve cooled down completely. You can either keep them in an airtight container or wrap them well in aluminum foil. They’ll stay fresh for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed to desired temperature.
Can You Freeze Air Fryer Baked Potatoes?
Yes, you can! To freeze air fryer baked potatoes, wrap them well in aluminum foil once they’re completely cooled, then place them in freezer-safe bags with all the air squeezed out. Enjoy frozen potatoes within 6 months.
More Easy Side Ideas
If you want more easy side dishes like this one, I’ve got you covered! Check out these yummy air fryer recipes:
- These Air Fryer Fries and Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are so nice and crunchy, and they’re much healthier than classic french fries.
- This super crispy Air Fryer Bacon comes out perfect without the oil splatter from the stove!
These soft and fluffy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes have perfectly crispy skin, just as if they were roasted in the oven. Only this recipe makes it quicker and easier than ever!
- 2 medium russet potatoes 8-10 oz each; scrubbed, rinsed & dried
- 1 tsp avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt plus more for serving
- coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- vegan butter or ghee; you can use grass-fed butter if not dairy-free
- fresh chopped parsley or chives
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Use a fork to pierce the potatoes all around.
Drizzle or brush the potatoes with oil and rub with your hands to coat all around.
Season with salt.
Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and roast for 40-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and can be pierced easily with a fork.
Use tongs to remove the potatoes from the air fryer, then cut each one lengthwise to split.
Serve with optional toppings and enjoy!
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