Loaded with bacon and cheese, these Air Fryer Potato Skins are ultra crispy and insanely irresistible.
From Air Fryer French Fries to Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes to Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, the Air Fryer reigns supreme for making crispy potatoes.
So it makes sense that making potato skins using the air fryer is a good idea, a REALLY good idea.
Reasons to Love Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Faster than the Oven. While you can certainly make loaded potato skins using the oven, it is significantly faster to make this appetizer using an air fryer.
- Irresistibly Crispy. The air fryer also works its magic to give these Air Fryer Potato Skins the most incredibly crispy skin.
- Unbeatable Flavor. Brushed with garlic butter and topped with cheese and bacon, this is one appetizer no one can resist!
- Make-Ahead Appetizer. You can prepare potato skins up to 2 months in advance and air fry them from frozen whenever the craving strikes.
Notes on Ingredients & Equipment
- Potatoes: Air Fryer Potato Skins start with leftover baked russet potatoes.
- Seasoned Butter: For the most flavorful results, use a combination of unsalted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to brush over the potatoes before air-frying. This will not only help to crisp up the skins crispiest potato skins, brush the potatoes with olive oil before baking. Then use melted butter to brush the potato skins before adding cheese and bacon for added flavor.
- Bacon: Use leftover baked bacon or bacon bits to top these air fryer potato skins.
- Cheese: For best results, shred the cheese from a block as it will melt better than pre-shredded cheese that is coated in anti-caking agents. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination is recommended.
- For Serving: Serve Air Fryer Potato Skins with a side of sour cream, diced chives, and sliced green onions.
- Air Fryer: There are so many brands of air fryers on the market and each is vastly different, but all will work well with this recipe. I personally love the Ninja and Aria air fryer.
How to Air-Fry Potato Skins
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Hollow Out Potato Skins
To make the potato skins from baked potatoes is easiest to wait until the baked potatoes are fully cooled before cutting them open and removing the flesh. I also find that using a melon baller makes quick, efficient work.
Season Potato Skins
I highly recommend brushing the exterior and interior of your potato skins with melted butter that has been seasoned with salt, garlic powder, and pepper to add immense flavor the potatoes themselves.
Air Fry Potato Skins
Air fry the seasoned potato skins until both sides are crispy, flipping halfway through the cook time.
Add Bacon and Cheese
Add the shredded cheese to the crispy skins and then top withe the cooked bacon. The bacon will help to weigh the cheese down, keeping it from flying off the potato skins when air fried. Return to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, just to melt the cheese.
Serve with Toppings of Choice
Serve potato skins with sour cream, ranch dressing, green onions, additional bacon bits. However you like!
Recipe Modifications
- Swap the Butter for Olive Oil. If desired, use extra virgin olive oil in place of the melted butter.
- Get Creative with the Toppings. Stuff air fryer potato skins with prepared sloppy joes, pulled pork, or shredded BBQ chicken, cover in cheese, and bake to warm through. Or use the potato skins as a chili boat and top with leftover Instant Pot Chili or Crockpot Chili. Another favorite is steamed broccoli and cheese.
- Starting with Seasoned Baked Potatoes? If your baked potatoes have already been seasoned, I recommend only brushing the flesh side of the potato skin with the seasoned butter and skip seasoning the outside of the potato skin.
- Don't Have Leftover Baked Potatoes? Follow my instructions for air-frying russet potatoes by air-frying pierced potatoes at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until tender, flipping after 20 minutes.
Put the Leftovers to Use
Don't throw away the flesh from the potatoes. Use that flesh to make mashed potatoes or potato cakes. Alternatively, use the chilled potato flesh for a potato frittata, air fryer roasted potatoes (cut the cooking time in half), or as a base for buffalo chicken casserole.
More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Gnocchi
If you tried this recipe for Air Fryer Potato Skins, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Air Fryer Potato Skins
Ingredients
- 3 russet baked potatoes
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted or extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup bacon bits ~3 slices bacon
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack cheese or sharp cheddar
Instructions
- If needed per your air fryer model, preheat to 400℉.
- Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise. Leaving a ¼" border around the potato skins, carefully scoop out the flesh of each potato.
- In a small bowl combine the melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and pepper together. Brush the butter mixture over the bottom and tops of the potato skins.
- Place the potato skins, flesh side up in the basket or tray of an air fryer, and air fry the potato skins at 400℉ for 4-5 minutes to warm and crisp up the potato skin.
- After air-frying, remove the basket or tray, flip the potato skins over, top each potato skin evenly with shredded cheese. Add the bacon on top of the shredded cheese.
- Return to the air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes at 400℉ or until the cheese has melted and the bacon has crisped up.
- Serve with as desired with green onions, chives, and/or sour cream.
Sha
This is indeed irresistibly delicious. It turned out so goood! I could eat it all day!
Kristen Chidsey
LOL! Me and you both!
Jen R
These come out so unbelievably crispy! And so easy to make, we loved them. We dipped them in sour cream and guacamole.
Kristen Chidsey
Guac is my favorite 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Jen!
Mel
Delicious! Simple, flavorful, and a perfect side dish. Everyone loved it. The kids could'nt get enough.
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing you enjoyed these Potato Skins! Thanks for sharing.