Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes are crispy and salty on the outside and fluffy on the inside, just like the restaurants make them! These steakhouse potatoes are stuffed with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions. Keep reading to learn how to make these scrumptious steakhouse style baked potatoes that come out perfect every time!
BAKED POTATO AIR FRYER VS MICROWAVE:
While the microwave may be the fastest way to cook a baked potato, you will miss out on that steakhouse crispy potato skin that the air fryer produces. You can combine cooking methods by first cooking the potato in the microwave and finishing it up in the air fryer, that way you get that crispy skin while saving time. If you prefer that way, see my instructions below. Personally, I prefer and believe the more hands-off method of cooking the potato in the air fryer from start to finish is the best method. I can put the potatoes in the air fryer and then work on making my main dish.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 medium russet potatoes (washed, scrubbed clean and dried)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon coarse sea salt
Toppings
- 3 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- ½ cup shredded Cheddar Jack cheese
- ¼ cup cooked bacon crumbles
- 1 green onion (sliced into small pieces)
INSTRUCTIONS
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and set the timer for 40 minutes.
- Poke holes in each potato on all sides using a knife or fork.
- Rub olive oil all over each potato. Generously sprinkle each potato all over with course sea salt.
- Add the potatoes to the air fryer and air fry for 40 minutes or until done. Use a fork to poke the potatoes to check for doneness. They should be soft in the middle.
- Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let cool enough to handle. Once cooled, slice open the potatoes lengthwise and pinch the outer edges to open the potato.
- Add butter to the open potato and use a fork to mash the inside of the potato.
- Top with sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions. Then enjoy!
Microwave First Quick Method:
- Clean potatoes by running under water and scrubbing the outside. Dry and poke holes in potatoes using a fork or knife. Place potatoes on a microwave safe plate.
- Microwave potatoes on high for 12 minutes. That’s 4 minutes per potato. We are using 3 potatoes in this recipe so we need to microwave them for a total of 12 minutes.
- Let potatoes cool for a couple of minutes then brush all sides with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once ready, add the potatoes to the air fryer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove potatoes from air fryer and let cool enough to handle.
- Slice each potato open lengthwise and pinch the outer edges to open the potatoes.
- Mash the inside of the potatoes using a fork. Top with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions. Then enjoy as a side dish or main.
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using a fork or knife, poke holes in the potatoes all over.
- Rub the potatoes all over with olive oil. Sprinkle all sides of each potato with coarse salt.
- Place the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 1 hour or longer depending on the size of your potatoes.
- Once the potatoes are done, let them cool enough to handle, then cut the potatoes open lengthwise.
- Mash the inside of the potatoes with a fork. Top with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions.