Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

These easy to make Air fryer twice baked potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish perfect for any occasion.

These yummy gems are just like a loaded baked potato but with marvelous crunchies from where the tender potatoes have gotten crunchy from the air fryer’s high heat. Customize this quick side dish with your favorite flavors, and you have ready-made goodness! 

This recipe is perfect for those days when you are in and out, picking up kids and coming home. I put my potatoes in the air fryer, did a couple of other tasks, then mixed up the insides of the potatoes with the other simple ingredients.

I popped those back in the air fryer while setting the table, and our delicious dinner was done!

Equipment:

• Air fryer
• Medium bowl
• Fork, potato masher, or hand mixer
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Aluminum foil (optional)

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Our Favorite Toppings: chopped green onions, bacon bits, chopped parsley, black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

2. Wash and dry the potatoes. Dip a clean paper towel into the olive oil and rub it on the potato. Sprinkle with salt and wrap in aluminum foil. Poke the potatoes with a fork to release steam as it cooks.

3. In a single layer, place the potatoes in the air fryer, bake, and cook for 30-35 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. You’ll see in my photo that I had to stand my large potatoes on end to get them in one layer. 

4. Remove from the air fryer oven, cut them in half lengthwise, and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4″ layer of potato in the potato shells.

5. In a mixing bowl, mash the potato flesh with a fork or potato masher. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

6. Spoon the creamy mashed potato mixture back into the halves, mounding it up.

7. Sprinkle the top with additional cheddar cheese and a few bacon bits, then place the filled potato skins back in the air fryer. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until heated through.  

8. Serve hot with your favorite toppings. I used green onions and a few more pieces of crumbled bacon.

Tips for Making the BEST Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes:

• The best potatoes for air fryer twice-baked potatoes are large and starchy potatoes, such as Russet potatoes. After baking, the high starch and low moisture content produce a fluffy and dry texture. This makes them perfect for the twice-baked method. Yukon gold potatoes have a lower starch and higher moisture content, so they are less ideal.
• Be careful not to over mix the potato mixture, or it can become gummy. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Use crumpled foil to prop up the potato halves in the air fryer basket if they are uneven or wobbly after filling.

• Store your potatoes in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
• To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated and your crispy potato skins have melty cheese.
• If you are lucky enough to have any air fryer twice-baked potatoes left after dinner, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating Tips

• To reheat, place your extra potatoes in the air fryer or oven on a baking sheet at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated. Or microwave them on high for 1-2 minutes, but they will be less crispy. Adding any toppings after reheating is best to maintain their texture and freshness.
• Add a few tablespoons of milk if your mixture is a bit dry.

Variations and Topping Ideas for Twice Baked Potatoes:

• Use different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, Muenster, Gouda, Gruyere, and Fontina.
• Consider adding chopped chives, rosemary, or thyme for a different flavor. 
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, remove the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms, yellow onions, or peppers to the creamy mashed potatoes. 
• For a tangy flavor, use Greek yogurt or cream cheese instead of sour cream.
• Make mini potatoes by using small red potatoes instead of russets. Reduce the cook times accordingly.
• Add chopped jalapenos if you like your potatoes with a touch of heat.
• Add cooked shredded chicken, leftover roast beef, or ground beef to the mashed potato filling to make your twice-baked potatoes more of a main course. 
• Swap olive oil for the butter in the mixture. 

Air fryer twice-baked potatoes are a delicious side dish that can be customized to even the pickiest eaters in your family.

Whether you prefer them spicy (as in with red pepper), vegetarian, or cheesy, there’s a variation for everyone.

And with the help of an air fryer, they’re easy and take less time to make, making regular potatoes combined with your main dish into a fancy dinner.

The Perfect Side Dish

So next time you’re looking for a perfect side dish that is sure to impress and doesn’t take a lot of cooking time, try air fryer twice-baked potatoes instead of making a regular baked potato.

With our potatoes recipe, equipment, tips, and variations, you’ll be well on your way to making the perfect batch of crispy, cheesy, and delicious potatoes.

More Favorite Recipes

Make sure to check out our other recipes including our delicious No Knead Whole Wheat Bread recipe, our 7 Layer Greek Dip appetizer and for dessert, our yummy Strawberry Napoleon recipe.

If you are looking for a slow cooker recipe, try our No Peek Beef Tips recipe!