Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

Indulge in the irresistible combination of creamy, cheesy goodness and crispy potato skins with this easy-to-follow recipe for air fryer twice baked potatoes. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection, these mouthwatering air fryer twice baked potatoes will have your taste buds dancing!

There’s nothing better than going to a steakhouse and ordering a loaded baked potato! I tried every way imaginable to recreate the crispy outer skin with the fluffy creamy potato filling inside. But I would always wind up with rocks or partially baked potatoes with soggy skins.

That is until I pulled out the air fryer one day and decided to experiment with potato recipes. I LOVE these Teriyaki Cheddar Air Fryer Turkey Burgers and these Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders so much, I thought “surely, potatoes would work”.

And BOY did they!!

I was able to make the PERFECT Steakhouse baked potato with my air fryer!

Then I figured why not make twice baked potatoes in the air fryer…and I must say…these potatoes are better than what you’ll find at any steakhouse!

These twice baked potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they are loaded with cheesy goodness and bursting with flavor. Plus, with the convenience of the air fryer, you can enjoy all the deliciousness without the guilt of deep-frying.

Why Use an Air Fryer for Twice Baked Potatoes

The air fryer is designed to mimic the effects of deep-frying but with significantly less oil. It uses hot air circulation to cook food, including twice baked potatoes, creating a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.

This is my favorite air fryer for a large family. It’s big enough that I can cook for all 5 of us at one time, and the dual baskets let me cook multiple items at the same time.

Here’s how the air fryer achieves this:

1. Hot Air Circulation: The air fryer circulates hot air rapidly around the food, creating a convection effect. This circulating hot air helps cook the potatoes evenly from all sides, promoting a crispy texture.
2. Maillard Reaction: The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs when high heat interacts with proteins and sugars in food. In the case of potatoes, the high heat in the air fryer triggers the Maillard reaction on the potato skin, resulting in a golden, crispy crust.
3. Minimal Oil Usage: While traditional deep-frying requires submerging food in oil, air frying uses only a minimal amount of oil, usually just a light coating on the surface of the potatoes. The oil helps facilitate the Maillard reaction, promoting browning and crispiness.
4. High Heat and Dry Environment: The air fryer reaches high temperatures quickly, creating a dry cooking environment. This dry heat helps remove moisture from the potato surface, enhancing the crispiness while retaining the moisture inside, resulting in a fluffy and tender interior.
5. Even Heat Distribution: The air fryer’s design ensures even heat distribution throughout the cooking chamber, which helps cook the potatoes uniformly. This even heat distribution contributes to achieving both a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.

By combining these factors, baking twice baked potatoes in the air fryer results in a crispy texture on the outside, resembling the results of deep-frying, while maintaining a fluffy and tender interior.

It’s a healthier alternative that reduces the amount of oil used while still achieving deliciously crispy and satisfying results.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

To make these heavenly twice baked potatoes in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Baking Twice Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Preparing the Potatoes

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Thoroughly wash and scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt or debris.
• Pat dry the potatoes using a kitchen towel.
• Using a fork, poke several holes all over the potatoes to allow steam to escape while cooking.

Step 2: Air Frying the Potatoes

• Rub olive oil all over the potatoes, ensuring they are evenly coated.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
• Air fry the potatoes for 40-45 minutes or until they are tender and the skins are crispy.

Step 3: Scooping and Mixing the Potatoes

• Once the potatoes are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Slice potatoes in half, lengthwise.
• Using a spoon, scoop out the potato flesh, leaving a thin layer attached to the skins.
• Place the scooped-out potato flesh in a bowl and set the skins aside.

Step 4: Filling and Seasoning the Potatoes

• Mash the potato flesh with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
• Add sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, crumbled bacon, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes.
• Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined and the mixture is creamy.

Step 5: Stuffing and Air Frying Again

• Spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins, dividing it evenly among them.
• Place the stuffed potatoes back in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for an additional 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted, and the tops are golden brown.

Step 6: Serving and Enjoying

• Once the twice baked potatoes are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Serve them hot and garnish with additional sliced green onions, if desired.
• Enjoy these mouthwatering twice baked potatoes as a delightful appetizer or as a scrumptious side dish.

Indulge in the delightful combination of crispy potato skins, creamy mashed potatoes, and a medley of flavorful toppings with this irresistible recipe for twice baked potatoes in an air fryer.

Perfect for any occasion, these easy-to-make air fryer twice baked potatoes will leave your guests asking for more. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply craving a comforting treat, this recipe is a winner.

Give it a try and savor the crispy delight of these air fryer twice baked potatoes that are sure to become a family favorite.

Printable Recipe for Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes