Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes: The Ultimate Crispy & Creamy Side Dish Recipe
Prepare to elevate your potato game with these incredibly delicious Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes! If you’re a fan of classic comfort food and appreciate the convenience of modern cooking appliances, this recipe is about to become your new favorite. Building on the success of perfectly cooked Air Fryer Baked Potatoes and savory Air Fryer Potato Skins, this dish combines the best of both worlds, offering a crispy exterior and a rich, creamy filling that’s simply irresistible. Whether served as an impressive appetizer or a hearty side dish, these twice baked potatoes are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
The journey to these delightful potatoes begins with a perfectly baked potato, and there’s no better tool for the job than your air fryer. Its ability to create a wonderfully crisp skin while ensuring a fluffy interior is unparalleled. Once your initial potatoes are cooked to perfection, the real magic begins as you transform them into a decadent, flavor-packed dish that’s bursting with cheesy, bacony goodness.
Why Choose the Air Fryer for Twice Baked Potatoes?
While traditional oven baking has its place, the air fryer offers distinct advantages that make it an ideal choice for crafting impeccable twice baked potatoes. Here’s why using your air fryer will revolutionize this classic recipe:
- Unmatched Crispy Skin: The intense, circulating hot air of an air fryer is perfect for achieving an incredibly crispy potato skin during the initial bake. This provides a delightful textural contrast to the creamy filling.
- Even Cooking: Air fryers cook food remarkably evenly, ensuring that your potatoes are perfectly tender throughout, without any undercooked spots.
- Faster Cooking Times: Generally, an air fryer can bake potatoes much faster than a conventional oven, making this a more efficient recipe for busy weeknights or when you need a quick side.
- Energy Efficiency: Heating up a small air fryer uses significantly less energy than preheating and running a large oven, making it a more economical choice.
- Less Heat in the Kitchen: Especially during warmer months, using an air fryer helps keep your kitchen cooler by confining the heat to a smaller appliance.
Starting with well-baked potatoes is the foundation of a fantastic twice baked potato, and the air fryer truly shines in this initial step, setting you up for success with a beautiful canvas ready for its rich filling.
Expert Tips for Crafting Perfect Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
Making delicious twice baked potatoes in your air fryer is straightforward, but a few key tips can elevate your results from good to absolutely amazing. Pay attention to these details for a truly restaurant-quality dish:
1. Begin with Perfectly Baked Potatoes
As mentioned, the first bake is crucial. You’ll need a thoroughly cooked potato that’s fluffy on the inside and has a sturdy, slightly crisp skin. We recommend starting with the Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe for optimal results. For this specific recipe, you’ll want to air fry your potatoes at 390°F (199°C) for approximately 40 minutes. Ensure you select Russet potatoes, as their starchy texture is ideal for mashing and creating a creamy filling.
2. Air Fryer Capacity Considerations
When cooking, remember that most air fryers can comfortably fit two whole russet potatoes during the initial baking phase. Once baked, these will be cut in half, resulting in four potato halves for the second bake. Always ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate around each potato half to ensure even cooking and optimal crisping of the filling. Overcrowding can lead to uneven results, so cook in batches if necessary.
3. Monitor Cooking Times
It’s important to note that air fryer cooking times can vary significantly based on your specific model and its wattage. Always keep a close eye on your potatoes, especially during the second bake, to prevent overcooking or burning. The goal for the second bake is a beautiful golden color on top of the filling and thoroughly heated ingredients.
4. Preparing the Potato Skins and Filling
After the first bake, allow your potatoes to cool slightly on a rack for about 15-20 minutes. This makes them easier to handle and prevents the skins from tearing. Carefully slice each potato in half lengthwise. Using a spoon or a small scoop, gently scoop out the fluffy potato flesh into a mixing bowl, being careful to leave a thin layer of potato intact within the skin. This thin layer helps maintain the structural integrity of the potato boat and keeps it from collapsing, similar to how you’d prepare Air Fryer Potato Skins.
Unlike potato skins, where some potato is discarded, for twice baked potatoes, we incorporate all that delicious scooped-out flesh back into the skin after it’s been transformed into a creamy, flavorful mixture. This ensures a rich and substantial filling.
5. Achieving a Creamy Filling
For the filling, you’ll combine the scooped potato flesh with softened salted butter, sour cream, garlic powder, and dried parsley. The secret to an exceptionally smooth and creamy filling is a hand mixer. It efficiently blends all the ingredients without overworking the potato, which can lead to a gummy texture. If you prefer an even softer or creamier consistency, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk or cream to the mixture.
Once the base is perfectly smooth, fold in your cooked and chopped bacon, a generous portion of shredded cheddar cheese (reserving some for topping), and finely chopped red onion. This combination creates a harmonious blend of textures and savory flavors that truly defines a great twice baked potato.
6. The Second Bake
After you’ve lovingly filled each potato skin with the creamy mixture, place them back into your air fryer basket. The second bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 minutes will heat the filling through, melt the cheese, and give the top a beautiful golden finish. For that extra cheesy delight, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top for the last 3 minutes of cooking, allowing it to melt into a gooey, savory crust.
Customization and Flavor Variations
One of the best aspects of twice baked potatoes is their versatility. Feel free to experiment with ingredients to tailor them to your taste or what you have on hand:
- Cheese Choices: Beyond cheddar, consider using Monterey Jack, Gruyere, smoked gouda, or a Mexican blend for different flavor profiles. A sprinkle of Parmesan can add a sharp, salty finish.
- Protein Power-Ups: Enhance your potatoes by mixing in shredded chicken, pulled pork, seasoned ground beef, or even smoked salmon.
- Vegetable Additions: Finely chopped chives, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted bell peppers, or a handful of fresh spinach can add extra layers of flavor and nutrition. For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños.
- Herb & Spice Blends: Experiment with different herbs like fresh rosemary, thyme, or a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder for a smoky depth.
- Dairy Alternatives: If you don’t have sour cream, cream cheese or Greek yogurt can be excellent substitutes, adding tang and creaminess. A splash of heavy cream instead of milk will also make the filling extra rich.
Serving Suggestions
These Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of main courses. They are truly the perfect side dish for a casual family dinner or a more elaborate gathering.
- Steak Night: They are a classic companion to a juicy steak. Try them alongside Air Fryer Steaks or Grilled Garlic Butter Ribeyes for an unforgettable meal.
- Roasted Chicken or Pork: The creamy texture perfectly complements the richness of roasted meats.
- BBQ Feasts: They make an excellent addition to any barbecue spread, especially alongside ribs or pulled pork sandwiches.
- Light & Fresh: Pair them with a crisp, green salad for a balanced and satisfying meal.
- Garnish Galore: Always offer extra sour cream, fresh green onions, or even a dash of hot sauce on the side for guests to customize their potatoes.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes are just as delicious and easy to enjoy. Properly stored, they can be a convenient make-ahead option.
- Refrigeration: Allow the potatoes to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, wrap individual twice baked potatoes tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat is in the air fryer! Place frozen potatoes directly into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. For refrigerated potatoes, air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. You can also use a conventional oven at the same temperature. Microwaving is an option for speed, but the skin and topping won’t be as crispy.
Enjoy this truly delicious and satisfying recipe!
Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
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Ingredients
Baked potatoes
- 2 Russet Potatoes
- Grapeseed Oil Spray
- Table Salt
Filling
- 1/3 Cup Sour Cream
- 3 Tbsp Salted Butter Softened and Room Temp
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Dried Parsley
- 1/2 Cup Cooked & Chopped Bacon
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese Divided (See Note)
- 1/2 Cup Chopped Red Onion See Note
Instructions
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Start with baked potatoes, using this Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe. using 2 potatoes. If you are following this particular recipe, you would cook them in the Air Fryer at 390*F for 40 Minutes.
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Once the potatoes are already baked in the Air Fryer, proceed to the following steps.
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Once the baked potatoes are finished cooking in the Air Fryer, place them on a cooling rack for 15-20 minutes to cool before touching them.
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Cut the potato in half lengthwise to make 4 halves.
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With a spoon, scoop the potatoes out, leaving a thin layer of skin intact, and place the filling in a bowl.
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Repeat these steps with the additional potato.
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In the bowl, mix in the butter, sour cream, garlic powder, and parsley.
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Mix this up until you have a nice soft, thick mixture. If you want them softer, you can add 1 Tbsp of cream or milk. (This works the best with a hand mixer.)
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Once your mixture is nicely pureed, add in the chopped onions, bacon, and 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
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With a spoon, fill the empty potato skins with the potato mixture.
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Put back into the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 8 minutes at 350*F using the Air Fryer setting. They will be fully cooked once they are a nice golden color.
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Serve with an additional 1/4 cup of shredded cheese and cook for an additional 3 minutes to melt the cheese.
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Serve with sour cream or green onions if you prefer.
Notes
The onion can be substituted with green or sweet depending on what you have.
Nutrition
