This easy Air Fryer Potato Skins recipe shows you how to make crispy potato skins in just 15 minutes or less using your air fryer! They're tender inside, crispy outside, and have an oozy cheesy topping. Serve as a party appetizer or a quick satisfying snack.
Be sure to also try Air Fryer Pierogies and Air Fryer Gnocchi.
One of my favorite appetizers of all time is potato skins. I love the crispy, crunchy outside and also enjoy the many ways you can add variety with different toppings.
While I usually order potato skins at a restaurant or buy the frozen kind, I’ve found that making potato skins in the air fryer is much easier and takes no time at all!
You’ll need some cooked and cooled potatoes with the insides scooped out. Once you have the shell, season it with oil, salt, and pepper and pop it in the air fryer to get nice and crispy. Add cheese in the middle and cook until melted.
Once cooked, you can add your favorite savory toppings or even turn it into a meal by adding a ladle of your favorite curry or chili recipe on top.
These versatile potato skins from scratch can be used as a party appetizer or can quickly be made when you need a satisfying snack with lots of flavors!
Plus, you can make them ahead of time, freeze them and reheat in your air fryer too!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
They taste just like TGI Friday’s brand but are much healthier.
A great way to use up any leftover baked potatoes.
They cook in just 15 minutes or less.
They can be easily frozen and then cooked FROM frozen when you need a quick snack.
You can customize them by adding many different toppings and cheeses.
Ingredients
- Cooked Potatoes - You’ll need completely cooked and cooled potatoes to make potato skins in the air fryer. I use Idaho potatoes.
- Olive Oil - Gets brushed on top of the potatoes and on the outside for a crispy finish.
- Salt & Pepper - Helps season the potato and gives it flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese - Cheese gets added to the potato skins after they have cooked halfway to add a salty cheesy taste.
Please see the recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Wondering how to make this air fryer potato skins recipe? It's easy! Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Prepare the potatoes: Slice the cooked potatoes in half horizontally. Using a spoon, scoop out the inside cooked flesh and set it aside for another recipe. Leave about ¼ inch of the cooked flesh as a border inside the potato.
Prepare for baking: Brush olive oil on the inside and the outside of the potato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper on all sides and place in the air fryer basket cut side up.
Air fry the potato skins: Add the potatoes to the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes or until the edges become brown and crispy.
Fill the potato skins: Fill the potatoes with cheese, then cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until all of the cheese is melted.
Remove and serve: Using tongs, remove the cheese-filled potato skins. Top with your favorite toppings and serve hot.
Oven-Baked Potato Skins
Don’t have an air fryer? Try making this recipe right in your oven using these simple steps.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F
- Rub or brush the hollowed potatoes with oil, place them on a baking sheet cut side up.
- Bake for 5 minutes or until the edges darken.
- Fill with the cheese, then bake for a further 7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and serve with toppings.
Top tips
The potato must be fully cooled before turning it into an air fryer potato skin. This helps ensure it cooks properly and doesn’t burn.
Always use tongs when transferring potato skins in and out of the air fryer as they become very hot when cooked.
You’ll need to air fry the potato skins in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If there is not enough room, cook in batches until complete.
Serving Suggestions
Sprinkle the topped potato skin with Vegan Chicken Broth Seasoning for a salty balancing flavor.
Serve with a Green Salad or Dill Pickle Pasta Salad.
Add to an appetizer table at a party along with Herb and Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms or Mac and Cheese Balls.
Makes a great pairing with Blistered Padron Peppers as tapas.
Variations
Change up the flavors of your potato skins by using a variety of different topping ideas!
- Sour Cream
- Parmesan Cheese
- Green onions
- Chives
- Sliced Black Olives
- Alabama White Sauce
- Cane's Sauce
- Lentil Curry
- Veggie Bacon
Storage
Storing: Store any leftover potato skins in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a preheated air fryer at 350F for 3-5 minutes.
Freezing: Make the base of the recipe, but don’t add any toppings (besides the cheese). Allow to cool completely and freeze in an airtight bag in a single layer for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen at 400F for 4-7 minutes or until completely cooked.
FAQs
Preheat your air fryer to 400F/200C, then cook frozen potato skins for 4-7 minutes or until they are completely warmed through and crispy on top.
Soaking potatoes or potato skins before cooking can help make the potato crispy by removing excess starches, but it is not a necessary step.
What is an Air Fryer?
An Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying food.
Instead of deep-frying or shallow frying, both of which use lots of oil, an air fryer uses circulated hot air to cook the food, allowing you to use little or no oil.
An air fryer is essentially a small electric convection oven that sits on your countertop.
When it circulates hot air inside the machine, food gets crispy, similarly to fried food, but without submerging the food in all the greasy oil!
Why Should I Use an Air Fryer?
I am a huge fan of the Air Fryer for so many reasons!
- It's healthier since it uses a LOT less oil than pan-frying or deep frying.
- Air Frying cooks food FAST.
- You don't need to heat the oven, so the house stays cool on warm days.
- It's EASY to use and quick to clean up.
If you're thinking about getting an Air Fryer, I highly recommend it. Check out my recommendations below!
What type of Air Fryer should I get?
There are many Air Fryers to choose from, so here are some options to check out!
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 10 Quart, 7-in-1 Multi-Use Air Fryer.
Ninja Air Fryer - 4 Quart.
COSORI Smart WiFi Air Fryer - 5.8 Quart, 13 Functions & 'Shake Remind'.
GoWISE USA Air Fryer & Dehydrator 7 Quart.
Important Note: Air fryer cooking temperatures vary depending on the model, make and type, so use the cooking time and temperature in this recipe as a guide only and check and adjust as needed. Start checking before the recommended cooking time is up.
Air Fryer Recipes
I hope you love air fryer potato skins as much as we do! Be sure to check out these other recipes that you can make in your air fryer too.
Sign up for our free newsletter and never miss a recipe!
Plus, you'll get a free eBook: 15 Minute Vegan Dinners!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Potato Skins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 large cooked potatoes cooled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese 50 grams
Optional toppings
- 8 teaspoons sour cream
- Green onions
Instructions
- Slice the cooked potatoes in half horizontally. Scoop out the insides (save the cooked potato for another recipe), leaving about a ¼-inch border of potato around the skins.
- Brush or rub the insides and outsides of the potato skins with the oil, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
- Place them into the air fryer basket, cut side up. Air Fry them at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 5 minutes until the edges start to get crispy. You may need to cook them in batches.
- Fill the potato skins with the cheese and air fry for a further 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve topped with the sour cream and green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Jessica Stroup
These were amazing! We made them this weekend for a football party and ha many compliments! Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Formicola
I love potato skins but have never thought to make them in the air fryer! They turned out perfectly and I can't wait to make them again!
Toni
One of my favorite air fyer recipes! So easy to make and so good!
Beth Sachs
What a great idea for potato skins! They look so crispy and delicious.
Jess
Buying an air fryer is worth it just for this recipe! Love how simple it is!