It’s no secret that summers in the desert southwest can be hot. The oven is rarely used from June to September, cookie making aside.
Baked potatoes have made a comeback in our house, even in the summer with our air fryer.
They are just as easy in the air fryer. Cooking time is a little faster and the skin gets an amazing crunch. Baked potatoes really are the perfect side dish piled high with butter.
Lately we’ve been having stuffed baked potatoes. You know I’m a leftover girl. We often will recycle leftovers into an entire new meal. We still serve sliced leftover steak, chicken or pork on a salad.
Stuffed potatoes are a whole different kind of delicious with leftovers. We pile leftover chili and shredded cheese on top. Leftover taco meat with the fixings is over the top delicious. I still love steamed broccoli and cheese on top, someday I’ll get Mark to try it. The possibilities are endless and a perfect dinner during our hot Arizona summers.
Get similar sized potatoes for more even cooking. Our air fryer comfortably fits two good sized potatoes. The larger ones can fit four or more.
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°.
Scrub the potatoes and pat them dry before poking holes all over.
Next, rub oil all over each potato, about a tablespoon depending on size. You can be neat and use a basting brush. I do it the messy way pouring the oil in the palm of my hand and rubbing each potato with my hands.
Sprinkle salt all over the potatoes.
Put the potatoes in your air fryer basket and cook for 30-45 minutes. If we have large potatoes, I’ll cook them for 45 minutes.
When the timer dings, pull the basket out and poke them to see if they are done. If they aren’t ready, cook them for five more minutes and check again.
Carefully remove from the basket, cut open and add your toppings.
Here are some topping ideas to get you started: broccoli & cheese or chili & cheese or pork loin & BBQ sauce or taco items or spinach & artichoke dip with chicken or BBQ chicken & grilled pineapple. Let us know what delicious ideas you have!
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Medium sized baked potatoes, about 8 ounces
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Preheat air fryer to 400°.
- Scrub potatoes and pat them dry.
- Rub with olive oil and sprinkle salt on potatoes.
- Cook potatoes for 30 minutes (45 minutes for large potatoes), check for doneness. If not done, cook for 5 more minutes until done.
- Carefully remove from air fryer and add your toppings.