Baked potatoes are a classic side dish that just go well with so many different dishes. I love them with a steak off the grill, but they’re super versatile. So let’s talk about one of my favorite ways to cook them! I’ll show you how to cook a baked potato in the air fryer with foil for an easy preparation method.
If you’re looking for a super quick method to save time, then I recommend checking out how to microwave a baked potato with plastic wrap for a speedy option.
How Long Do You Cook Foil Wrapped Baking Potatoes in the Air Fryer?
It takes approximately 40 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cook foil wrapped baking potatoes in the air fryer.
The time may adjust slightly depending on the size of your specific potato, as they vary a lot.
Wrapping the potatoes in foil actually adds a little bit to the necessary cooking time versus not using it, but I prefer the result you obtain this way.
How to Cook a Baked Potato in the Air Fry With Foil – Step By Step
- Thoroughly wash and dry your potato
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees, following manufacturer instructions
- Rub the potato skin with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper (optional)
- Wrap potato in aluminum foil, thoroughly compacting around potato
- Place wrapped potato into the preheated air fryer basket
- Cook at 400 degrees F for 40 minutes, flipping every 10
- Carefully remove from air fryer using tongs (they will be hot)
- Rest potatoes for 2-3 minutes before unwrapping
- Serve with toppings as desired
Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your potato. Generally assume a range of about 30 – 50 minutes for very small or very large potatoes.
This is also assuming the use of a regular russet baking potato. If you’re using a sweet potato or smaller (red, gold, etc) potato, start at 30 minutes of cook time.
Give a gentle squeeze on the sides of the potato with tongs or oven mitts when you flip them. If it gives easily, the potato should be done.
You might even enjoy topping your potato with my easy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe!
Can I Wrap Potatoes in Foil in the Air Fryer?
Yes, it’s completely safe to wrap potatoes in foil in the air fryer.
Just make sure you securely wrap them. I’ve left open edges before and the strong air circulation in the fryer actually pulled it open!
You don’t want loose foil floating around in there, as that can block air flow and get caught in the heating element.
Do You Have to Poke Holes in Potatoes for the Air Fryer?
No, you don’t need to poke holes in potatoes for the air fryer.
Poking holes in potatoes is a common practice just to allow steam to escape during the cooking process. The absolute worst case would be your potato splitting open.
The air fryer heats differently than a conventional oven or microwave, so it’s not as common that a potato would burst during cooking.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with poking your potatoes, if you wanted to air on the side of caution. Just skewer them a bit before wrapping them up and proceed as normal!
In fact, sometimes I’ll do it anyway. If you reheat a baked potato in the microwave later on, it prevents any potato blowouts then.
Do You Have to Wrap Your Baked Potato in Foil for the Air Fryer?
You don’t have to wrap your baked potato in foil for the air fryer. However, there are a few reasons why you’d want to:
- Easier cleanup. The foil contains the oil and seasonings, leaving your air fryer completely clean
- More steamed texture. The foil holds steam inside the potato, creating the steamed interior texture you get at some restaurants
- Skin is less crispy/burned. While some people prefer it this way, the foil will prevent your potato skin from getting overly crispy during cooking
- Keep potatoes warm longer. If you’re working on another dish for the meal, foil helps the potatoes stay warm longer so you don’t need to stress about finishing everything at the same time
Wrapping your potato in foil is entirely optional – the potatoes can be cooked in the air fryer without it as well. In fact, it’ll probably take around 10 minutes less cooking time if you don’t use foil.
This is actually the same secret tactic I use cooking frozen potato skins in the air fryer to keep them from getting burned!
That said, my preference in terms of the interior and exterior texture of my potato leads me to wrap it for this cooking method.
In Conclusion
Cooking a baked potato in the air fryer with foil is a simple process that delivers a great steamed potato. While it takes just slightly less time over a traditional oven, it won’t heat your house up as much!
Baked potatoes make a great side dish, or top them up with a heartier food like chili for an easy lunch.
If you love potatoes like I do, then you’ll want to check out these homemade potato skins in the air fryer. They have a lot of the same toppings you’d find in a loaded baked potato, but in a finger food perfect for snack time!
Loaded Foil Wrapped Air Fryer Baked Potato
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Potato (Russet preferred)
- Olive oil (Optional)
- Salt & pepper (Optional)
- 1 Slice of bacon cooked and crumbled
- ⅓ cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp Sour cream
- 1 tsp Butter or margarine
- 1 tbsp Green onions – sliced
Instructions
- Wash and dry your potato thoroughly1 Potato
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Rub potato skin with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, if desiredOlive oil, Salt & pepper
- Wrap potato in aluminum foil making sure to secure it around potato
- Place potato into preheated air fryer basket
- Air fry at 400°F for 40 minutes, flipping every 10 minutes or until soft when gently squeezed using tongs (it will be hot)
- Remove potato from air fryer and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes before unwrapping
- Cut potato down the center and serve with your favorite toppings1 Slice of bacon cooked and crumbled, ⅓ cup Shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tbsp Sour cream, 1 tsp Butter or margarine, 1 tbsp Green onions – sliced
Notes
- While russet potatoes are most common, feel free to substitute another type of potato or sweet potato. Reduce cooking time to 30 minutes to start.
- Very small potatoes may only need 30, whereas very large potatoes may need up to 50 minutes to cook through
- You may substitute another high smoke point oil in place of the olive oil, such as grapeseed, avocado, or sunflower oil
- Don’t bother with the oil and seasoning outside unless you eat potato skins. It won’t change the texture or the interior flavor at all
- If you like your cheese fully melted, you can add it to the potato and return to the air fryer for about 1 minute
- Alternative topping ideas: Steamed broccoli or other vegetables, chili, buffalo chicken dip, spinach and artichoke dip
- This recipe easily doubles or more if you’re cooking more than a single baked potato in the air fryer. Just leave air space between each potato in your air fryer. Cooking time does not increase with multiple potatoes
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific ingredients used, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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