Air Fryer Twice-Baked Potatoes

Air Fryer Twice-Baked Potatoes are a classic comfort food and a must-make side dish for any meal, any time of year. They are extra crispy on the outside and creamy and cheesy on the inside – perfect for entertaining. Whether you’re serving these loaded twice-baked potatoes as a side dish, a snack, or as a main course, they’re always a big hit.

The air fryer gives the skins an extra crispy texture while keeping the insides wonderfully fluffy. Plus, it cuts down on cooking time compared to traditional methods.

These air fryer stuffed baked potatoes are easily customizable to suit your taste—just fill the potato skins with your favorite toppings. Also, you can prepare them up to 3 days in advance and simply pop them in the oven right before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Potatoes – Russets in the U.S. and Maris Piper, Desiree, or King Edwards in the U.K. are perfect because their starchy nature gives a fluffy texture inside. Make sure they are nice and large, and choose potatoes that are even in size to ensure they bake evenly. Each one should weigh around 300-350 grams (10-12 oz).

• Shredded cheese – No stuffed potato would be complete without plenty of cheese. I use kasar cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella to add gooey, cheesy goodness but you can use any soft cheese or hard cheese you prefer.

• Spring onions (green onions) – Finely chopped spring onions add fresh flavor and color to these double-baked potatoes.

• Wild garlic pesto – Any pesto would do, but I prefer using homemade wild garlic pesto for my stuffed jacket potatoes.

• Cream – I use double cream (heavy cream) to add some creaminess.

• Butter – I use good quality salted butter to add fluffiness, richness, and flavor to the potatoes.

Optional add-ins

• Chives

• Crispy bacon bits

• Pulled pork or beef

• Sour cream

• Sweetcorn

• Roasted red peppers

How to Make Twice-Baked Potatoes in an Air Fryer?

Although making these cheesy and gooey Air Fryer Double Baked Potatoes is very easy, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results :

First, you’ll need to cook your potatoes. For the air fryer, start by washing and drying the potatoes. Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking. Brush them lightly with olive oil and season with a bit of salt. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other.

Air fry at 380°F (195°C) for about 40-45 minutes. They should be tender when pierced with a small knife. Once cooked, let them cool slightly before handling.

Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice about a 2 ½ cm (1″) strip of the skin off the top of each potato.

Scoop out the flesh into a bowl, leaving a small border of potato around the edges to keep the skin intact.

Add the butter, cream, cheddar cheese, pesto, salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and green onions.

Mix until everything is well combined. If you’re using optional ingredients like bacon bits or additional herbs, fold them in now.

Spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins, mounding it slightly. Top with the shredded mozzarella or kasar cheese. 

Return the stuffed potatoes to the air fryer basket.

Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes or until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Expert Tips From The Chef

• Russet potatoes in the U.S. and Maris Piper, Desiree, or King Edwards in the U.K. are ideal for this recipe due to their high starch content, which results in a fluffy interior. Waxy potatoes won’t give you the same texture.

• Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking.

• When preparing the filling, mix just enough to combine the ingredients. Over-mixing can lead to a dense filling.

• You can check the doneness of your potatoes by poking them with a skewer or a small knife. 

• When scooping out the potato flesh, be careful not to tear the skins. They should be sturdy enough to hold the filling.

• Mix the filling when the potatoes are cooled enough to touch without burning your fingers. Don’t let them cool down entirely.

• Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients. Try different cheeses, add some crispy bacon bits, or mix in your favorite herbs to make the dish your own.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Double Baked Potatoes?

Air fryer twice-baked potatoes are incredibly versatile. You can serve them as a side dish along with Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Skewers – Shish Kebabs, Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Lamb Rib Chops, or Air Fryer Marinated Salmon.

You can top double-baked potatoes with a fried egg and a sprinkle of chives for a hearty breakfast.

Or you can add a side of Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini with Red Onions, Air Fryer Eggplant, or a simple green salad for a complete, satisfying meal.

Storing and Reheating

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To keep them fresh, let them cool completely before storing them.

Reheating in the air fryer is the best way to bring back that crispy texture. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and heat the potatoes for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.

You can also freeze twice-baked potatoes. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, cook directly from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes.