Chili Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Want to know how to make baked potatoes in the air fryer? This quick and easy recipe delivers crispy, golden skin and fluffy insides using Yukon Gold or jumbo potatoes. Learn how long to cook 4 baked potatoes for the ultimate air-fried side dish that saves time and effort. Pin this recipe to have the best fast and healthy chili baked potatoes ready anytime!

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Why these are the best chili baked potatoes in the air fryer

This is a very simple recipe. There are just a couple of steps, and the first one is to wash the potatoes. It really is that easy.

This recipe uses simple ingredients. Everything I needed for this recipe was found in my pantry (and my pantry is pretty small!). Potatoes, olive oil, leftover chili, sour cream, shredded cheese. You can add a chopped green onion if you want to.

Potatoes are cheap. This is a very inexpensive recipe, and it will feed the whole family.

Baked potatoes are easy and feed a crowd. There are no fancy tricks or elaborate techniques in this recipe. You rub the potatoes with oil, throw them in the air fryer, and you air fry them until they're fork tender. Then add your favorite toppings.

This recipe is versatile and goes with everything. Serve air fried baked potatoes with an omelet, a steak, or a burger. Or do as I have done here and make them a full meal by topping them with a hearty chili.

This recipe is allergy-friendly and good for special diets. It is egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegetarian (as long as your chili is vegetarian). If you are dairy-free or vegan, you could use a non-dairy sour cream. The only thing this recipe isn't is low carb or keto. It's potatoes. I can't help you on that one.

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What you'll need to make air fryer baked potatoes

Equipment

• Air fryer - This is an air fryer recipe, so of course, you're going to need an air fryer. However, if you don't have an air fryer, you can use these instructions to bake your potatoes in the oven.

Ingredients

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

• Yukon Gold potatoes - I like Yukon Gold potatoes because they are creamy and almost buttery inside, but traditional baked potatoes are russet potatoes.
• Olive oil - You need to oil the raw potatoes in order for the skin to get crispy. I like olive oil, but you can use any oil really.
• Your favorite salt - I like sea salt but any salt is fine.
• Ground black pepper - I grind this fresh, but you can use any black pepper.
• Room temperature butter - I use room temperature butter because it melts more quickly, but if you forget, your butter will still melt if it's cold.
• Your favorite chili - This link goes to my favorite chili recipe, which I call World's Best Chili with Bacon. It really is the best chili you'll ever eat.
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt - Sour cream and plain Greek yogurt taste almost identical, so use whichever you want.
• Green onion - I like green onions, but you could substitute chopped fresh chives if you wanted to.
• Shredded cheddar cheese - Use whatever kind of cheese you want or leave it out if you prefer.

How to make Yukon Gold baked potatoes in the air fryer

1. Preheat air fryer to 400ºF. Wash and scrub the outside of the potatoes.
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2. Poke holes in each potato 2-3 times with a sharp knife or fork.
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3. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place oiled potatoes in the air fryer basket.
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4. Air fry potatoes in the preheated air fryer until they are fork tender inside, approximately 40 to 50 minutes, depending on potato size.
5. While the potatoes are baking, chop the green onion and set aside.
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6. When the potatoes are done baking, allow them to cool for 10 minutes, then slice them lengthwise and pinch both sides of each potato, using your hands to force the potatoes open, until the fluffy insides start to come out.
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7. Add 1 tablespoon of butter into the open top of each potato and sprinkle salt and pepper on each one.
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8. Spoon heated chili on top of the butter.
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9. Divide sour cream and place a dollop on the chili. Sprinkle each potato with green onion and grated cheese.
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10. Serve warm.
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Variations & substitutions

I love my baked potatoes with bacon chili, a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and green onions, but feel free to use your favorite toppings, whatever those are. Salsa is good in place of chili.

My chili recipe (linked above in the ingredients section) already has a pound of bacon in it, but you could reserve some for sprinkling over top of the potatoes. If you're not making my bacon chili, you could fry some pork bacon or turkey bacon and crumble that over your baked potatoes.

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I prefer Yukon Gold potatoes, but you could also use russets. I stick to Yukon Golds because their skin is thinner and more palatable, the texture is creamy, and the flavor is buttery even before you add butter. In the air fryer, you still get the crispy skin you want in a baked potato. You don't want to eat the skin of a russet potato as it's tough and unpleasant.

A sprinkle of garlic powder is great with butter and sour cream.

You can use chives in place of green onions.

You can cook these baked potatoes in the oven instead of the air fryer if you need to. The time and temperature are the same.

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How to make twice baked potatoes in the air fryer

You can cut the baked potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out most of the flesh. Mix it with a little cream cheese, sour cream, green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese, and refill the potatoes with it. Pop them back in the air fryer at 400ºF for 15 minutes or until the filling is starting to get crispy on top.

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Storing leftovers

Place fully cooled baked potatoes in an airtight container or zippered plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat potatoes in the microwave or air fryer until heated through.

You can freeze baked potatoes. Wrap each one individually in aluminum foil and then place the foil-wrapped potatoes in a plastic freezer bag. To reheat frozen potatoes, transfer them to the fridge overnight and then reheat in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.

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Try these other delicious easy air fryer recipes:

• Air Fryer Prime Rib with Horseradish Rub
• Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe (check out Red Lobster Copycat Piña Colada Dipping Sauce!)
• Homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Classic Cheddar Cheese Sausage Balls
• Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls
• Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
• Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Mushrooms
• Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
• Air Fryer Ribeye Steak

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