Fitness / April 5, 2024

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

A dish so easy a couch potato could do it!

There is literally no way to tell who made the first baked potato – they probably ate the evidence! Even if a potato were to survive a delicious devouring, tubers like spuds don’t typically survive long enough for anthropological researchers to discover today. What researchers do suspect is that potatoes were originally cultivated by the Inca in Peru, several thousands of years ago. Following the conquistadors back to Europe, potatoes have since been grown across the globe and used in dishes all over the world; however, one of the simplest ways to cook and eat a spud may be the oldest. Due to the simplicity of baking a potato, anthropologists think that even the Inca savored a fluffy spud fresh out of the huatia (their version of an oven which consisted of a rock dome that collapses after getting up to temp).

You, too, can dig into a delicious dish from the dawn of South American agriculture with our simple air fryer baked potatoes! With the technologies provided to us in our privileged era, you can make scrumptious spuds within the comfort of your kitchen and with the ease of your air fryer (no huatia needed!)

Our air fryer baked potatoes are fluffy and delicious and only need 3 ingredients: potatoes, salt, and just a dash of olive oil! Your air fryer can put out up to 4 quick and easy baked potatoes that taste just as good as oven-rack potatoes! Just top with your choice of butter, sour cream, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, or anything else that helps doll up your delightful russets!

Are Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Healthy?

Requiring only 3 ingredients, our air fryer baked potatoes don’t use anything you don’t need to make a delicious and hearty lunch! Baked potatoes are filling and have potassium (which is integral to the balance of fluids in your cells) and most topping options contain sodium (which is needed to balance fluids outside your cells!) making them a delectable regulator perfect to pair with an entrée or all on its own! If you’re looking for a keto option for air-fryer baked potatoes, might I recommend sweet potatoes, which also contain a healthy bite of potassium!

Where you only need to worry is in your toppings – a healthy potato is only as good for you as the sour cream, bacon, and shredded cheese you put on top of it! Low-fat sour cream options help to assure that you can enjoy that refreshing dollop without sacrificing the goodness in your gourmet. Additionally, most bacon bits are actually made from soy, which makes them a high-protein, low-fat and vegan alternative to top your otherwise totally vegan air fryer baked potato with!

What toppings make a good baked potato?

We all know the most common toppings on a baked potato, but some of the tastiest toppings are the ones that taint a fantastic dish with excess fat. Sour cream and bacon taste phenomenal on top of a potato but they only contribute to the dish’s notoriety for health-unconscionability. That doesn’t mean that you can’t decorate your dinner with divine adornments!

Next time you make one of our air fried baked potatoes, try topping it with roasted broccoli florets or low-carb creamed spinach for a healthy bite of color! Red or caramelized onions also make a refreshing, zippy bite for every scoop of that fluffy potato-y goodness!

INGREDIENTS

4 medium russet potatoes uniform in size
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Clean and dry the potatoes, then poke them with a fork. Coat with olive oil and sea salt for flavor and crispiness.

Air Fry

Cook the potatoes in the air fryer at a high temperature to achieve a crispy skin and tender inside. Flip halfway through for even cooking.

Serve

Remove the potatoes, let them cool slightly, and then they’re ready to be enjoyed with your favorite toppings.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If you’re making your baked potatoes ahead of time or just need to store and reheat the remainder of your spuds, you’re going to want to wrap them in foil and store in the fridge until needed. Then, you can bake them again! The skin will get a nice crisp on it after 15-20 minutes at 350°F!

What happens if I bake my potato for too long?

Potatoes are hard to over-cook since they take so long in the oven; however, they can lose their structural integrity and go from fluffy and light to deconstructed mash. Additionally, the skins of your potatoes could burn and cause a fire in your oven (which is, admittedly, a bigger problem than inconsistent spud).

How do i keep my baked potato vegan through all the toppings?

Baked potatoes are a vegan delight but the toppings so often breach vegan edge! The best way to find delicious decor for your potatoes that stays within your dietary needs is to find approximations for every dollop you desire! Cashew cream can be used instead of sour cream, soy-based bacon bits can replace crumbly bacon, and roasted/sautéed greens make a colorful addition to every bite!

How does keto-friendly sweet potato change the palette of air fryer bakes?

Sweet potatoes have a natural sweetness that totally changes the way your baked potato is going to taste! You can add your bacon bits to the sweet potato for a dash of sweet and savory or you can add some beany chili on top for a protein-packed keto dish!

Serving Suggestions

Baked potatoes are a delicious lunch all on their own but they pair nicely as a side dish for any savory meal! Try air fried baked potatoes with a protein-packed lunch of bacon-wrapped hot dogs or with a refreshing BBQ chicken summer wrap! You can even serve a sweet potato variant alongside keto-friendly zoodles with sun-dried tomato!

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 199kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

4 medium russet potatoes uniform in size
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Scrub thoroughly the potatoes under cold running water. Once clean, pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. The skin needs to be dry to crisp up in the air fryer.
Prick the potatoes all over using a fork to allows the steam to escape while cooking. Coat each potato with olive oil. Sprinkle the sea salt uniformly over the potatoes. This helps both the flavor and get a crispy skin.
Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between to allow the air to circulate. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 30 minutes.
Flip the potatoes using tongs. Continue to cook for an additional 5 to 15 minutes. The potatoes are done when a fork can easily slide into the center. The exact time will depend on the size of your potatoes.
Once fully cooked, remove the potatoes from the air fryer basket with tongs and transfer them to a serving plate. Let them cool for a few minutes before slicing open. Add your favorite topping before serving.