How To Use Your Air Fryer For Perfect Baked Potatoes Every Time

There aren't many dishes that can compete with a perfectly baked potato. Crispy and golden-brown on the outside, yet beautifully soft and fluffy on the inside, baked potatoes make the ultimate side dish or a satisfying snack. They're incredibly versatile, which means there are plenty of foods you can pair them with. You could stick with a classic roasted chicken with lemon, butter, and garlic; a juicy, mouthwatering ribeye or sirloin steak; or you could simply crumble some feta on top for a salty, tangy kick. However, you should use the air fryer, not the oven, for the fluffiest baked potatoes.

To begin with, you save some time because an air fryer generally doesn't need too much preheating (10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit is all it takes). Second, air-fried baked potatoes typically cook in roughly 30 minutes because air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, which speeds up the cooking process. For comparison, potatoes can take more than an hour in a regular oven. At the same time, the hot air draws moisture out of the potatoes, letting the skins crisp up evenly. Meanwhile, the inside stays wonderfully soft and fork-tender.

The best part about this approach is it couldn't be easier. Before you get started, though, choose the right potato for the best results. Yukon Golds and russets are both excellent. They're naturally starchy, full of flavor, and their skins can turn wonderfully crisp. Sweet potatoes work equally well if you're looking for something different. In fact, this is one of many different ways to cook them beyond baking.

Once you pick your potatoes, give them a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt from the skin, and don't peel them. The skin adds extra flavor to the final result, which is just one benefit of leaving the skin on potatoes. Dry them with a towel, and poke each potato a couple of times. The tiny holes let steam escape during cooking. Then, rub them with a little extra virgin olive oil (for even more flavor, swap the oil for duck, goose, or beef fat), and season them evenly with salt. You can also play around with your favorite seasonings, whether rosemary and thyme for a herby touch, or freshly ground black pepper for a spicy kick.

If you're using a basket-style fryer, follow the general cooking rules we mentioned earlier, but if you have a toaster-style model, lower the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that larger potatoes naturally need more time. Finally, check if they're done by sliding a knife in the middle. If it pierces the potato easily, it's ready to eat.