Fluffy, buttery baked potatoes piled high with all the delicious toppings – cheese, bacon, chives and more! Made conveniently in the air fryer, these loaded spuds will become your new favorite side or light meal.
Crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, this simple recipe transforms the humble potato into a crave-worthy treat. Keep reading to learn how to make these mouthwatering loaded baked potatoes in your air fryer!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Full Of Flavor: These loaded baked potatoes are filled with a variety of tasty ingredients like bacon, cheese, and sour cream, making them incredibly flavorful.
Plus, you can easily customize the toppings to your liking and experiment with different seasonings.
Easy to Make: This recipe is super simple and requires only a handful of ingredients. All you need to do is coat the potatoes in olive oil, bake them in the air fryer, and then add your toppings.
Perfect Pairing with Meat: These air fried loaded baked potatoes make for a great side dish to serve alongside meat like steak, brisket, or chicken.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
To make the perfect air fryer loaded baked potatoes you will need:
- 2 Potatoes (large)
- 1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- 3 slices Bacon (crumbled)
- 1 Green Onion (chopped)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoons Sour Cream (full fat)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Chives
- pinch of Salt
- pinch of Pepper
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy air fryer loaded potatoes recipe:
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, coat the potatoes with olive oil and bake them in the air fryer for about 35 minutes.
Step 2
Remove the potatoes from the air fryer. Allow them to cool for at least 20 minutes. Then, slice them lengthwise. Add butter, cheese, pepper, and salt.
Step 3
Top with the crumbled sliced bacon, sour cream, chives, and green onions.
That’s it! It’s so easy to make this easy air fryer loaded baked potatoes recipe, and it tastes amazing!
💡Tips
1. Use Smoked Salt
I really like adding smoked salt to many of my dishes because it adds a ton of flavor. I tried it on my air fryer loaded baked potatoes and they were delicious! The smokey flavor really complemented the potatoes and made them even more flavorful.
Make sure to use naturally smoked salt – there are many great brands out there. I personally really like Maldon’s smoked salt – it’s really good.
2. Potato Sort
Choose starchy potatoes like Russets or Idaho potatoes, as they have a fluffy texture when cooked and absorb flavors well. Avoid waxy potatoes like red or fingerling, as they hold their shape too well for this dish.
When selecting potatoes, choose ones that are firm, without any soft spots, sprouts, or green tints. The size of the potatoes matters too. Pick uniformly sized potatoes to ensure they cook evenly in the air fryer.
3. Cheese Types
Cheddar is a classic, but why not explore options? A blend of mozzarella and Gruyere will give you a gooey, melty experience. Goat cheese adds a tangy touch, while Monterey Jack brings a sharp cheddar-like bite. Get creative and mix and match!
4. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer Basket
One common mistake when cooking in an air fryer is overcrowding the basket. If you add too many potatoes to the basket, they won’t cook evenly and you’ll end up with some potatoes that are overcooked and some that are undercooked.
To ensure that your potatoes cook evenly, make sure to leave enough space in the air fryer basket for the air to circulate.
5. Allow Time to Cool
Be patient and allow the baked potatoes to rest for 20 minutes before slicing open. This allows the inside to finish cooking and firms them up so they don’t fall apart when opened.
Variations
1. Tex-Mex Twists– Instead of butter, bacon, and chives, load up your spuds with chili, shredded Mexican cheese blend, avocado, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream.
2. Pizza Potatoes– Who needs crust when you’ve got potatoes? Channel your inner chef and turn your baked potatoes into personal pan pizzas. Top with marinara sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and Italian seasoning or oregano. Buon appetito!
3. California Potatoes– Top with avocado, corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime instead.
4. Mediterranean Escape- Toss your olive oil with oregano, thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes before coating the potatoes. Top with crumbled feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a flavor vacation you won’t forget.
5. Smoke & Fire- Replace the bacon with pulled pork or shredded BBQ chicken, and drizzle the potatoes with your favorite BBQ sauce. Top with a sprinkle of red onion and a dollop of blue cheese for a tastebud-tingling barbecue bonanza.
Storage
These loaded baked potatoes are best when fresh, right after making them. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot before serving again.
Main Dish Ideas
1. Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs– These moist and tender chicken meatballs are a delightful match for air fryer loaded baked potatoes. Their herby flavor and light tomato sauce partner perfectly with the tangy sour cream, smooth butter and sharp cheddar cheese. The interplay of textures from the crisp potato skin and fluffy interior with the bouncy-soft meatballs is sublime.
2. Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf– Savor the savory goodness of turkey meatloaf alongside your loaded spuds. The classic comfort food flavors of the meatloaf – rich, meaty and subtly seasoned – stands up beautifully to the fully-dressed potatoes. The meatloaf’s crusty exterior and moist interior contrasts the potatoes’ fluffiness too.
3. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken– The bright citrus notes of lemon pepper chicken brighten up hearty loaded baked potatoes beautifully. The intermingling lemon and pepper flavors cut through the potato’s creaminess perfectly.
4. Air Fryer Bone In Chicken Breast– Let an easy bone-in chicken breast upgrade your loaded potatoes to main meal status. The simple, savory chicken partners perfectly with the indulge-worthy spuds. The potatoes make a far more interesting pairing than rice or veggies.
5. Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel– Crisp, golden chicken schnitzel turns indulgent loaded potatoes into a complete and utter crowd-pleaser of a meal. The schnitzel’s ultra crunchy crust plays tantalizingly against the fluffy, creamy potatoes for a truly crave-worthy pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to peel the potatoes before air frying?
Peeling is optional! Leaving the skin on adds a bit more fiber and nutrients, but some people prefer the smooth texture of peeled potatoes. If you do peel them, pat them dry thoroughly before coating them with oil, as moisture can prevent browning.
2. What can I substitute for chives?
If you don’t have chives on hand, you can use other fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or thyme. You can even get creative with a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a touch of heat.
3. Can I use low-fat sour cream or cheese in this recipe?
Yes, you can use low-fat versions of sour cream and cheese. However, this may slightly alter the taste and texture of the final dish.
4. Are there alternatives to bacon for a vegetarian version?
Yes, you can substitute bacon with vegetarian options like smoked tempeh or simply omit it. You can also add more vegetables like diced bell peppers or mushrooms for added flavor.
These loaded air fryer baked potatoes are the ultimate comforting side dish or light meal. Crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, they’re topped with all of your favorite indulgent ingredients. Feel free to customize the toppings to suit your tastes – the possibilities are endless!
Be sure to check out more of my easy air fryer recipes on the blog, like air fryer chicken meatballs or lemon pepper chicken. I hope you enjoy making these loaded baked potatoes as much as I enjoyed creating the recipe for you.
Let me know how they turn out by leaving a comment below! I’d love to hear your feedback, as well as any variations or substitutions you try. Happy cooking!
Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes
- 2 Potatoes (large)
- 1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- 3 slices Bacon (crumbled)
- 1 Green Onion (chopped)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoons Sour Cream (full fat)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Chives
- pinch Salt
- pinch Pepper
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, coat the potatoes with olive oil and bake them in the air fryer for about 35 minutes.
- Remove the potatoes from the air fryer. Allow them to cool for at least 20 minutes. Then, slice them lengthwise. Add butter, cheese, pepper, and salt.
- Top with the crumbled sliced bacon, sour cream, chives, and green onions.
