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Air Fryer Potato Skins Recipe

4.7 from 127 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Potato Skins loaded with melted cheddar, bacon, and topped with sour cream and green onions. A quick and easy appetizer or snack perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

  • 4 Russet potatoes

Seasoning

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil (plus more for brushing)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Toppings

  • 4 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream or ranch (for serving)
  • Green onion (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even cooking of the potatoes.
  2. Prepare Potatoes: Scrub the Russet potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt, then pat them dry with a clean towel to ensure the skin crisps up properly during air frying.
  3. Season Potatoes: Coat each potato evenly with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and sprinkle all over with 1 teaspoon kosher salt to enhance flavor and texture.
  4. Air Fry the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 35-45 minutes at 400°F, flipping about halfway through, until a fork pierces easily. Remove and let cool for 10 minutes to handle safely.
  5. Scoop Out Flesh: Cut each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out most of the potato flesh, leaving about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the potato inside the skin to maintain structure. Save the scooped potato flesh for another recipe.
  6. Brush and Crisp Skins: Brush the inside of each hollowed potato skin with olive oil and return them, skin side up, to the air fryer. Cook for 5 minutes at 400°F to crisp.
  7. Fill Potato Skins: Flip the skins over and fill the cavity with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly distributed over all halves.
  8. Melt the Cheese: Air fry again at 400°F for 3 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  9. Serve: Top each potato skin with a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of ranch dressing and garnish with finely chopped green onions. Serve warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon or omit for a vegetarian option (without bacon).
  • Leftover potato flesh can be used for mashed potatoes or hash browns.
  • Adjust cooking time depending on the size of your potatoes and air fryer model.
  • Use sharp cheddar for best melting results and flavor.
  • To make it spicier, sprinkle some chili flakes or paprika on the potato skins before air frying.

Keywords: Air fryer potato skins, crispy potato skins, loaded potato skins, easy appetizer, bacon and cheese potato skins