Sides · Air fryer

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes (Crispy Jacket Potatoes)

Forget the oven, jacket potatoes belong in the air fryer. Crispy skin, fluffy centre, done in 45 minutes, and the best bit is you just need oil, salt and pepper. Poke a few holes to stop them exploding, then let the heat do the work.

R By Richard · Adapted from Full Of Food · Published 10 June 2026
👁 139.5k source views ❤️ 1.2k source likes
⏱Prep 5 min
🌡Temp 200°C
⏲Air fry 45 min
🍽Serves 3
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

Source video by Full Of Food on YouTube. This recipe was adapted with strict source-fidelity rules and is marked for human review.

These air fryer baked potatoes need just three things: potatoes, oil and seasoning. The hot circulating air gives you that brown crispy skin you want from a proper jacket potato, while the inside stays soft and fluffy. Flipping the potatoes every 15 minutes keeps the bake even, and a generous coat of salt is what really crisps up the skin. Serve with butter, or load with your favourite toppings.

Ingredients

Main
  • 3 wholebaking potatoes, washed
  • 3 tspextra virgin olive oil
  • salt
  • black pepper, freshly ground
To serve
  • butter (add late)

Method

  1. Take each potato and pierce it several times with a small sharp knife. This lets steam escape so the potatoes do not burst in the air fryer.

    ~1 min

  2. Pour about a teaspoon of olive oil into your hand and rub it all over the potato until the skin is shiny and fully coated. Repeat for each potato.

    ~2 min

  3. Season the potatoes generously all over with salt and black pepper, rolling them in any seasoning left on the board so the whole surface is covered. The salt is what gives the skin that extra crisp.

    ~1 min

  4. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket with space between them (about 3 potatoes per basket). Cook at 200°C for 15 minutes.

    ~15 min

  5. Open the basket and flip each potato over. Cook for a further 15 minutes at 200°C.

    ~15 min

  6. Flip the potatoes again and cook for a final 15 minutes at 200°C. Check they are done by pushing a knife in, it should slide through with no resistance. If there is still resistance, give them another 5 to 10 minutes.

    ~15 min

  7. Lift the potatoes out, cut a cross in the top and squeeze gently to open. Add a generous slab of butter, a little more salt and pepper, and serve, or load with your favourite toppings.

    ~2 min

Frequently asked

Why do I need to pierce the potatoes before air frying?
Piercing the skin in a few places lets steam and moisture escape during cooking. If you skip this, pressure can build up inside and the potato may burst in the air fryer.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for baked potatoes?
No, you can start them from cold. If your air fryer has a preheat setting and you prefer to use it, 2 to 3 minutes at 200°C is plenty, otherwise just begin the 45 minute cook from the start.
How do I get really crispy skin?
Two things make the difference: a proper rub of oil over the whole potato, and a generous coating of salt. The oil helps the skin brown and the salt draws out surface moisture so it crisps rather than steams.
Can I cook more than 3 potatoes at once?
You can usually fit 4 in a standard air fryer basket, but keep some space between them so the hot air can circulate. Overcrowding will mean uneven cooking and softer skin.
How do I know when the potatoes are done?
Push a knife or skewer into the centre. If it slides in with no resistance, they are ready. If you feel firmness in the middle, give them another 5 to 10 minutes at 200°C.
Extraction notes (transparency): Servings set to 3 based on presenter saying she fits 3 per basket. Salt and pepper quantities not specified, listed 'to taste'. | Second-pass critique flagged 1 fabricated and 0 quantified issues. See critique.issues for detail.