There’s no need to heat your oven—this easy air fryer baked potato delivers crispy skin and a fluffy center with minimal effort. It’s the perfect way to enjoy classic comfort food without heating your kitchen, making it an easy side or hearty base for your favorite toppings.
We’re entering the season of the year here in Miami where you do NOT turn on your oven. It’s just too hot! As you know, I’m not a super fan of the air fryer. However, my air fryer tofu and kale chips are go-to recipes for utilizing the air fryer to achieve successful results. However, the original food that has had the most success with the air fryer is the potato. Whether you’re making an air-fried baked potato or French fries, they turn out perfectly every time. Even better? There’s no need to turn the oven on and heat the house!
Potatoes often get a bad rap in diabetes management. People love to demonize them. Like carbohydrates, not all are created equal, which is also true of the potato’s form. It’s not that someone with diabetes is unable to eat a potato; remember that the quantity and quality of food will impact blood glucose levels. We might need to discuss whether someone is only eating potato chips and calling it a vegetable. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the broader context of meals and snacks, rather than focusing solely on a specific food. Yes, people with diabetes can eat potatoes in various ways.
Health Benefits of Potatoes
- Nutrient-Rich – Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, B6, potassium, and fiber, especially when eaten with the skin on.
- Heart & Nerve Support – Their high potassium content can help manage blood pressure and support nerve health.
- Energy – Potatoes are complex carbohydrates that can provide energy over extended periods of time. Remember to pair them with lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber for overall better-managed blood sugar levels.
- Diabetes Friendly Tip – People with diabetes can enjoy potatoes! The key is portion size, preparation method, and pairing. Try roasted; smaller portions (1/2 cup to 1 cup); and see how a potato affects your blood sugar levels, as we’re all individuals and may respond differently.
With balance and smart pairings, potatoes can be part of a healthy eating pattern, even with diabetes.
Ingredients: Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes turn out the best! As they bake, they get nice and fluffy inside, and the skin gets extra crispy!
- Olive Oil: While the air fryer’s claim to fame is that you don’t need to use oil, I’m here to tell you that you do need to use some for specific recipes. Can you use less than in other recipes? Absolutely! However, do not omit it (otherwise, you’re not following the recipe, and I cannot confirm if it will turn out as well as mine do!)
- Salt: I’ve often left this off, and it still turns out fine. If you’re watching your sodium intake, feel free to omit it. If you’re not, this will encourage you to eat the potato’s skin (for more fiber), and sprinkle just a little.
How To Make An Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Prep the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes well and pat them dry. Pierce the potatoes a few times with a fork.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the potatoes and rub the oil into the skin with your hands. If using salt, sprinkle it on and then place the item in the air fryer.
- Cook the potatoes in the air fryer until they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, about 40 to 50 minutes (depending on the size of your potato)
- Slice open the tops of the potatoes, add a dollop of Greek yogurt and/or sour cream, and eat!
Yes! If you do not pierce the potatoes, they risk ‘bursting’ in the oven. No one wants to clean up that mess. Make sure to pierce them with a fork, which will allow the steam to release as they cook.
Remember, we want the skin to be crispy. Wrapping the potato in foil can make the skin soggy so that this step can be skipped.
I’ve provided a rough estimation in the recipe caption below. Please note that the cooking time varies depending on your air fryer and the size of your potato. In my air fryer, a medium— to large-sized potato takes around 45 minutes at 400°F.
If you want crispy skin, you’ll want to make the air-fried baked potato right before you eat it. While they do heat up well, they’re best enjoyed right out of the air fryer, in my opinion.
Other Potato Recipes
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Air Fryer Baked Potato
There’s no need to heat your oven—this easy air fryer baked potato delivers crispy skin and a fluffy center with minimal effort. It’s the perfect way to enjoy classic comfort food without heating your kitchen, making it an easy side or hearty base for your favorite toppings.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 4 large baking potatoes, scrubbed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- kosher salt, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Prep the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes well and pat them dry. Pierce the potatoes a few times with a fork.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the potatoes and rub the oil into the skin with your hands. If using salt, sprinkle with salt and then place in the air fryer.
- Cook the potatoes in the air fryer until they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, about 40 to 50 minutes (depending on the size of your potato)
- Slice open the tops of the potatoes, add a dollop of Greek yogurt and/or sour cream, and eat!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Sides
1 thought on “Air Fryer Baked Potato”
I LOVE a good baked potato – can’t wait to try (and can’t believe I haven’t tried this already!)