How to Make Perfect Jacket Potatoes in the Air Fryer! (2024)

Can you cook jacket potato in the air fryer? You certainly can cook baked potatoes in an air fryer, and they cook faster than oven baking. Our recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy this classic dish.

We give you two tried and tested methods to make great baked potatoes in the air fryer.

1. Quick Method - Microwave them first, then crisp the jacket potato in the air fryer
2. Air Fry Only Method - Air fry jacket potato for the whole duration.

Either way, you'll make the best-baked potatoes with crispy skin and fluffy inside. We give timings for cooking from just one potato or cooking four at a time.

How to cook jacket potato in the air fryer?

Here is how to cook jacket potatoes in the air fryer. Read on for more advice, serving suggestions, and storage advice.

📖 Step by Step Recipe

We updated this air fryer baked potato recipe on 17/08/2024, moving the recipe card higher in the post to make it more user-friendly.

First you need to decide how much time you have. A time-saving tip that we use is microwaving them before crisping off the potato skin in the air fryer.

If you have plenty of cooking time, you can air fry jacket potatoes for the entire duration.

What Potatoes to Use?

For the best baked potato in the UK, look for large baking potatoes, usually labelled just that! 'Baking Potato' and sold singularly or in multi-packs.

You can also use large starchy potatoes such as King Edwards or Maris Piper.

These floury potatoes are better at absorbing heat, making for fluffy interiors and crispy skin.

In America, look for Russet Potatoes, aka Idaho potatoes.

Scrub potatoes clean before cooking and pat dry before cooking the potatoes.

We also have another blog post showing you how to bake jacket potatoes in a slow cooker for a hands-off approach to baking potatoes. Or if you prefer to stick to the traditional oven-baked potatoes we have advice for that too.

Another of our favourites is jacket sweet potatoes in the air fryer.

What oil to use?

When cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer, you want to use oil with a high smoking point to withstand high temperatures without burning.

We recommend using avocado oil, rapeseed oil (canola oil), olive oil or coconut oil.

You can coat the potato skins with cooking spray oil or roll them around on a plate with oil on them.

Seasoning

I usually season with sea salt and add flavour with my favourite jacket potato toppings. However, if serving plain, you may want to add more flavour to the skin; feel free to add smoked paprika or garlic powder.

Quick Air Fry Baked Potato Method

The quickest way to cook air fry jacket potatoes is to microwave your potatoes first. Pierce each one a few times with a fork and place them on a microwave-safe plate.

Cooking Time

The amount of time needed to cook a whole potato varies depending on the microwave's power, the size of the potato, and the number you're cooking at once.

Remember to cook in the microwave first to soften the inside then use the air fryer to crisp up the skin

If cooking medium potatoes, you may need to deduct a minute, or for larger potatoes, you may need to cook in further 1-minute intervals until soft inside.

Cook on high for the above time, then use a knife to check if it is soft all the way through.

Brush oil over the skin of each potato, or use a cooking spray oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, then place them in the air fryer basket. There is no need to preheat your air fryer.

Now transfer the microwaved jacket potato into the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes (the same time for all amounts of potatoes). This will crisp up the saggy, soft skin caused by the microwave's steam.

Air Fryer Jacket Potato

It will take longer to cook if you do not use a microwave before air frying your potatoes. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C / 400°F

Brush oil around the outside of each potato, sprinkle sea salt over them and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

How long to cook jacket potato in air fryer?

The cooking time for baking potatoes is 40-50 minutes, flipping over halfway through. The time will vary depending on their size.

They are ready when the potatoes' skin turns golden and crisps on the outside. Check to see if they are soft in the middle.

How to check baked potatoes are cooked?

To check they are fully cooked, insert a sharp knife into the centre of the potato; once the knife pierces through the crispy potato skin, it should slide into the flesh easily with no resistance.

If it is still hard inside, air fry the potatoes in 2-minute intervals until ready. If the potatoes are huge and the skin is getting too brown for your liking, you can wrap them in foil and continue cooking them in the air fryer.

We have cooked our baked potatoes in a ninja foodi air fryer; cooking times may vary slightly for other brands of air fryers.

Serving Suggestions

Jacket potatoes are a great side dish in themselves. Cut them in half, fluff the inside with a fork, and then all they need is butter, salt, and pepper.

But if you want to get fancy, here are some of our favourite toppings to inspire your dinner tonight:

• Sour Cream & Bacon Bits
• Chili con Carne and Shredded Cheese
• Tuna Mayo
• Prawn Curry
• Egg Mayo
• Cheddar Cheese and Baked Beans

Tell us your favourite recipe to add to your air fryer baked potatoes.

Storage & Freezing

Cooked jacket potatoes are best served immediately, but they can be kept in the fridge for up to four days or frozen for up to three months.

To freeze jacket potatoes, place them on a baking tray in the freezer for two hours or until solid.

Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to three months. I recommend defrosting in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

The best way to reheat air fryer baked potatoes is in the microwave for about 3 minutes, then the air fryer basket for 5 minutes to help the skin crisp up again.

More Air Fryer Recipes UK

We have plenty of advice on how to cook everyday recipes in the air fryer.

See moreair fryer recipes→

We hope this easy recipe has helped you make quick baked potatoes for the whole family in the air fryer.