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Author:
Franco Salzillo
Baked potatoes are the very definition of beauty in simplicity — they’re just potatoes but baked. Baked potatoes are glorious, though, and incredibly customizable. Baked potatoes are a lovely starter and a side dish; although potatoes alone are already delicious and filling, the best part is the filling.
The question is, can you make baked potatoes in an air-fryer? You can. In less than an hour at high heat, the potatoes turn as soft and creamy as if they came out of the oven.
To make baked potatoes, let’s start with the right type of potatoes. Typically, there are two types of spuds (with many variations) waxy potatoes and starchy potatoes. You want starchy ones when making mashed potatoes, but the waxy variety is firmer and better for high-heat cooking methods. For our air-fried baked potatoes, let’s use the waxy kind.
You’ll also need a filling, and you don’t have to follow our recipe. Fill your potatoes with anything you want — they’re even delicious on their own with a pinch of salt. As for us, we’re going all in with cheddar, sour cream bacon and bell peppers!
If you’ve never tried them before, baked potatoes are heartier than you think — they’re filling too, so they’re no light side dish. Traditionally, baked potatoes pair well with a protein-rich meal, whether a thick steak or roasted chicken. Balancing the potatoes with protein is a must; you don’t need any other starch on the table.
You should also lighten your meal and give variety to your guests with a light salad or a thin soup. Of course, not all potatoes are created equal; if you feel a regular potato is too much for you, use a smaller potato.
Wash the potatoes and scrub them with a brush.
Use a fork to poke 12-16 whole along the potato surface.
In a small bowl, combine the butter and the garlic, season with salt and pepper and brush the potatoes on all sides.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Air-fry the potatoes for 40-45 minutes at 400°F or according to the appliance’s user manual.
Remove the potatoes from the air fryer (be careful, they will be hot.)
Make a hole in the potatoes, and fill them with cheddar, sour cream, bacon crumbs and bell pepper.
Serve immediately.
