These Air Fryer Potato Skins are a healthier twist on the classic appetizer. Made with crispy potato skins, crunchy bacon, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings, they are great for game day or as a snack any time of the week.
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Potato Skins Recipe
- What you’ll need: ingredients
- Creative variations to try
- Step-by-step instructions
- Watch and learn: recipe video
- Essential tools for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
- Deb’s tips to make great potato skins
- How to store leftovers
- Repurpose your leftovers
- More recipes you’ll love
- Mouthwatering pairings: what to serve with
- Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins Recipe
Air Fryer Potato Skins Recipe
They’re delicious balance of crispy, cheesy, and bacon-y goodness for the ultimate snack! Plus, the air fryer makes them so easy to make that you don't have to worry about breaking a sweat to whip up this snack-time favorite.
What you’ll need: ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- Russet potatoes - though if you're looking to make small appetizers, baby red potatoes or fingerlings would be excellent as well.
- melted butter or olive oil
- I use shredded cheddar cheese for this recipe, however, Colby Jack cheese, Pepper Jack cheese would be great to add a spicy kick. Gouda would be amazing as well.
- Ranch dressing or sour cream.
- chopped green onions or chives, pickled jalapeños
Creative variations to try
- Try topping these crispy potato appetizers with some pulled pork and BBQ sauce for a delicious twist on a loaded potato skin.
- Add some spice by using pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar and topping with hot sauce or sliced jalapeños.
- Switch up the flavors by using different seasonings like cajun or Italian seasoning on the potato skins before air frying.
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview; for detailed instructions, scroll down to the bottom! Don't forget to get a better view of the instructions click on the photo to make it full-size.
#1 Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl.
#2 Hollow out the potatoes, brush with butter, sprinkle with seasonings.
#3 Roast in the airfryer until crispy.
#4 Top with cheese & bacon. Return to the air fryer and roast until melted.
Watch and learn: recipe video
Click on the image to watch this fun video and see me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. You'll be notified each time I share a new video!
Essential tools for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Yes, potato skins are safe to eat as long as they are properly cleaned and cooked. Just be sure to scrub the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt and pesticides.
Great question! Basting with butter or oil, then roasting them before adding the toppings will ensure they get crispy. Make sure you preheat the air fryer as directed.
Absolutely! You can prepare the potato skins in advance by hollowing out the potatoes, seasoning, and air frying them. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, simply add the toppings and reheat in the air fryer until hot and crispy.
Yes, they can be baked in the oven. There are instructions in the recipe card below.
Deb’s tips to make great potato skins
When making potato skins it's important that you do not cook skins that are green. Those are better for your compost bin, instead of eating.
- Don't skip or skimp on the oil or butter on the potato skins. This is what makes the skins crispy to give you that satisfying crunch that you crave.
- Air fryers can vary in cooking times, so you will need to adjust the cooking time based on your air fryer model.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freeze - If you have extra potato skins, you can freeze them by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to eat, reheat in the air fryer until hot and crispy.
Reheat - Reheat the potatoes in the air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until hot and crispy.
Repurpose your leftovers
Don't waste your potato centers! You can turn it into mashed potatoes or even use it in soups or stews.
More recipes you’ll love
Potatoes are always on the table for Dan and me because we've never met a spud we didn't like! So, if you also love potatoes, you've come to the right place because these Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Pressure Cooker Baked Potatoes, or Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes are all amazing recipes!
Mouthwatering pairings: what to serve with
We love to serve these homemade Potato Skins alongside our favorite appetizers at our game day parties. Here are some great options!
I would love for you to leave me a comment below and let me know your favorite game-day appetizer! I'm always looking for new ideas for our parties.
Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices of cooked bacon cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup ranch salad dressing or sour cream
- 2 tablespoon chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoon pickled jalapeños finely chopped (optional, for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly. Pat dry.
- Pierce each potato with a fork and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender. Let cool slightly.
- Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about ¼-inch of potato inside the skin. (Save the scooped-out potato for another recipe).
- Brush the potato skins with olive oil on both sides.
- Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the skins.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the potato skins in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Air fry for 8-9 minutes until crispy and golden.
- When cooking time is complete, generously load each potato skin with shredded cheese and crumbled bacon. Return the potatoes to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top the skins with a dollup of sour cream or a drizzle of ranch dressing over the potato skins. Top with green onions and pickled jalapeños. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Follow instructions 1-5 above.
- Place the seasoned skins on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until crispy.
- Remove and top with shredded cheese and bacon. Return to the oven to melt the cheese. It will only take 2-3 minutes.
- Top with jalapenos and diced onions as desired. Drizzle with ranch dressing.
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