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Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potato

Name: Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potato
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 large russet potatoes; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (or Sea Salt); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded ); 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup fresh chives (chopped); 4 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled); 1/4 cup tomatoes (diced)

Author: Laurie Fleming
Published: August 8, 2023

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Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potato is my new favorite recipe; if you love air fryer baked potatoes, you will love this recipe, which takes it up a notch. You still will get the same crispy skin, but loaded with your favorite toppings!

The Best Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potato Recipe

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with the irresistible flavors of Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes. This classic dish takes the traditional baked potato to a new level, combining fluffy and tender potato insides with a crispy, seasoned skin. The magic of the air fryer transforms these spuds into a delectable masterpiece, perfect for satisfying cravings or impressing guests. Topped with an array of mouthwatering ingredients like melted cheese, crispy bacon, tangy sour cream, and fresh chives, each bite is a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors. Whether enjoyed as a hearty side dish or a stand-alone meal, these Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes are the epitome of comfort and culinary delight. 🥔🧀🥓🍽️

Why Making Loaded Potatoes In The Air Fryer Is Amazing!

Making loaded potatoes in the air fryer is amazing for several reasons:

Crispy Skin: The air fryer’s circulating hot air ensures that the potato skins become incredibly crispy and delightful, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite.
Efficiency: The air fryer cooks the potatoes faster than traditional oven baking, making it a convenient option when you’re craving loaded potatoes but short on time. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
Even Cooking: The air fryer’s cooking ensures the potatoes are cooked through and tender inside while achieving that coveted crispy exterior.
Healthier Option: Using the air fryer requires less oil than deep frying, making loaded potatoes healthier without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Customization: You have full control over the ingredients you use to load up your potatoes, allowing endless customization to suit your taste preferences.
Less Heat: Using the air fryer generates less heat in the kitchen compared to a traditional oven, which can be particularly beneficial during hot weather.
Versatility: The air fryer is not limited to just potatoes. You can cook crispy bacon, melt cheese, and warm toppings, creating an all-in-one cooking solution.
Perfect for Parties: Air fryer loaded potatoes are a fantastic party dish. You can prepare multiple batches quickly, ensuring everyone gets their share of deliciousness.
Visual Appeal: The vibrant colors of the toppings against the golden potato skin make for an aesthetically pleasing dish perfect for holidays!
Minimal Cleanup: Air fryer cooking usually involves fewer dishes, making cleanup a breeze after enjoying your loaded potato creation.

In essence, making loaded potatoes in the air fryer combines convenience, flavor, and texture to deliver a delightful dish that’s sure to please your taste buds and leave you craving more. 🥔🧀🥓🍽️

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes

Are you ready for a delicious and easy-to-make meal? Then air fryer loaded baked potatoes should definitely be on your menu! This savory side dish will surely make even the pickiest of eaters happy.

Not only are they hearty and full of flavor, but they’re also quick to prepare using an air fryer! Controlling what ingredients you include in your potatoes can make any meal a perfect fit for whoever might be eating it. Keep reading below to find out which ingredients you’ll need, along with simple instructions to have this tasty side dish ready quickly!

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

Russet potatoes are ideal for loaded baked potatoes due to their fluffy texture and mild flavor.
Olive oil: Olive oil helps the potato skins crisp up in the air fryer.
Kosher Salt and Balck Pepper: These seasonings enhance the flavor of the potatoes.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese adds a rich and gooey element.
Sour cream: Sour cream adds creaminess and tanginess to balance the flavors.
Chopped fresh chives: Chopped chives provide a fresh and aromatic touch.
Cooked bacon, crumbled: Crumbled bacon adds a savory and crispy texture. You can also use bacon bits!
Diced tomatoes (optional): Diced tomatoes contribute to juiciness and color.

Optional Variations: You can customize your loaded potatoes with additional toppings like sautéed mushrooms, sliced green onions, turkey chili, cajun spices, guacamole, salsa, or even a drizzle of hot sauce for extra flavor.

How To Make Loaded Baked Potatoes In Air Fryer

Craving something hearty and flavorful? Then you should try making loaded baked potatoes in your air fryer! This delicious dish takes all of the classic comfort food flavors that you know and love and combines them with modern cooking methods for a culinary experience that is both satisfying and easy.

With just a few simple steps, you can make these irresistible spuds ready to enjoy right from your kitchen. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to learn how easy it is to prepare this tasty treat in an air fryer.

How To Make Loaded Baked Potatoes In Air Fryer

Prepare the Potatoes: Wash and scrub the russet potatoes to remove dirt. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

Coat with Oil: Rub each potato with olive oil to help the skins crisp up during air frying.

Season: Sprinkle each potato with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C) for a few minutes.

Air Fry the Potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about 30-40 minutes, turning the potatoes halfway through, until the skins are crispy and the insides are tender.

Slice and Fluff: Once the potatoes are cooked, use a knife to make a cross-shaped slit on the top of each potato. Gently push in the ends to create an opening, then use a fork to fluff the insides.

Add Toppings: Stuff each potato with lots of cheese, crumbled bacon, and diced tomatoes (if using).

Final Touches: Dollop each potato with sour cream and sprinkle chopped chives; add your delicious toppings before serving.

Serve: These loaded baked potatoes are best served immediately while everything is warm and gooey.

Pro Tips For The Best Loaded Baked Potato Recipe

Here are some pro tips to ensure you make the best Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes:

Choose the Right Potatoes: Opt for large russet potatoes with smooth skin. They have a starchy texture that becomes fluffy when cooked.
Prep the Skin: Scrub the potatoes well to remove dirt, but leave the skin on. The skin becomes wonderfully crispy in the air fryer.
Oil Application: Rub the potatoes with a thin layer of olive oil. This helps the skin crisp up and adds flavor.
Seasoning Balance: Be mindful of the salt. You can always add more later, but fixing an overly salty potato is hard. Some great options are coarse salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Pierce with a Fork: Pierce the potatoes a few times with a fork before air frying. This allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing potential potato explosions.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Always preheat the air fryer before adding the potatoes. This helps ensure even cooking and crispy results.
Flip Halfway Through: Turn the potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness.
Test for Doneness: Use a fork to check if the potatoes are tender on the inside. If the fork goes in easily, they’re done.
Cheese Placement: If you want the cheese to melt perfectly, place it inside the sliced potato while it’s hot.
Customize Toppings: Feel free to get creative with toppings. Add sautéed vegetables, cheeses, or chili for a unique twist.
Bacon Crumbles: Crumble the bacon after it’s cooked and cooled slightly. This gives you the perfect crunchy texture.
Garnish Last: Add cold toppings like sour cream, chopped chives, or fresh herbs before serving to keep them cool and flavorful.
Don’t Overstuff: While loading up the toppings is tempting, be mindful not to overstuff the potatoes, as this can make them hard to eat.
Serve Immediately: Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes are best enjoyed right after assembly while the cheese is gooey and the toppings are fresh.

With these pro tips, you’ll create the most delectable and satisfying Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes that everyone will love! 🥔🧀🥓🍽️

How To Make a Potato Bar Using The Air Fryer

Creating a potato bar using the air fryer is a fantastic idea allowing everyone to customize their loaded potatoes with their favorite toppings. Here’s how to make a delicious potato bar using the air fryer. The air fryer is the fastest way to make a perfect side dish for the holiday or a great meal.

Do you have to poke holes in the potato before putting them in the air fryer?

Yes, it’s a good idea to pierce the potato flesh with holes before cooking them in the air fryer. Piercing the potatoes with holes allows steam to escape during cooking, preventing them from bursting or exploding inside the air fryer due to the buildup of steam pressure.

Piercing the potatoes also helps ensure even cooking throughout the potato, allowing the hot air to circulate inside and around the potato more effectively. This results in a uniformly cooked and tender interior.

So, before placing the potatoes in the air fryer, pierce them with a fork or knife several times. This simple step ensures that your potatoes cook safely and evenly, giving you the best recipe results.

FAQs For The Best Air Fryer Loaded Potatoes

Can I use other types of potatoes for loaded baked potatoes? While russet potatoes are my favorite for their fluffy texture, you can experiment with other types of potatoes, like Yukon Gold, red potatoes, or sweet potato, for slightly different results.

Can I make loaded potatoes in a smaller air fryer? If your air fryer is smaller, you might need to cook the potatoes in batches to ensure they cook evenly and have enough space for air circulation. You can use smaller potatoes, which will work better in the air fryer basket, but remember that they will have different cook times.

Can I prepare the potatoes ahead of time? You can partially cook the potatoes in advance and finish them in the air fryer when you’re ready to serve. However, toppings like sour cream and fresh chives are best added before serving.

Can I use frozen pre-cooked bacon? Yes, you can use frozen pre-cooked bacon. Thaw it slightly before crumbling and adding it to the potatoes.

Can I make these loaded potatoes vegan? Certainly! Replace dairy-based toppings with vegan alternatives like plant-based cheese, sour cream, green onions, and coconut-based bacon.

Can I use sweet potatoes instead? Absolutely! While sweet potatoes have a different taste and texture, they can work wonderfully for loaded potatoes.

Can I use an oven instead of an air fryer? You can bake the potatoes in a preheated oven at around 400°F (200°C) for approximately 50-60 minutes. The air fryer, however, tends to yield crisper skin.

How do I avoid overcooking the potatoes? Check the cooking time and test for doneness using a fork. The fork should easily pierce through the center of the potato.

Can I make loaded potatoes with different toppings? Absolutely! Get creative with your toppings – salsa, sautéed veggies, pulled pork, or even scrambled eggs can be fantastic additions.

Can I freeze loaded baked potatoes? It’s not recommended to freeze loaded potatoes, as the texture of the potato and toppings may change upon reheating.

Can I serve these as a main dish? Absolutely! Adding protein-rich toppings like grilled chicken, ground beef, or black beans can make these loaded potatoes a satisfying main course.

Can kids help assemble the loaded potatoes? Absolutely! Assembling loaded potatoes can be a fun activity for kids. Let them customize their toppings for a family-friendly meal.

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