Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

These Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes bring steakhouse quality right to your dinner table with minimal effort. Fluffy potato filling mixed with creamy cheese and topped with melted cheddar and crispy bacon creates the ultimate comfort food side dish. 

They can be prepped ahead and easily cooked in the air fryer from fresh or frozen, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Keep a batch in your freezer and you’ll always have an impressive side dish ready in minutes to complement your favorite meals.

I love making these Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes whenever we have guests over for dinner. They always impress everyone at the table, but they’re so simple to prepare! The combination of the crispy potato skin with the creamy, cheesy filling is absolutely delicious.

These potatoes pair perfectly with so many main dishes. We enjoy them alongside grilled steaks for a classic steakhouse dinner at home, and they’re equally fantastic with roasted chicken or these BBQ boneless pork ribs. During the holidays, I like to make a batch to serve with ham or prime rib.

I love this twice baked potatoes recipe because can prepare everything up to the second bake earlier in the day when I have time, then just pop them in the air fryer right before dinner. And the freezer option has saved me countless times when I need a quick side dish on busy weeknights.

Your family will love customizing their twice baked potatoes. They can add extra bacon and a dollop of hot sauce or pile on more cheese. I like to set out additional toppings like chopped chives, jalapeños, or even chili for a loaded potato bar that makes everyone happy (and makes a complete meal)!

You can easily adapt the recipe based on what you have in your refrigerator. Sometimes I’ll mix in leftover broccoli, caramelized onions, or different types of cheese. During the summer, I’ll even add fresh herbs from my garden for a pop of color and flavor. The basic recipe is so versatile – once you master it, you can create endless variations.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• Russet potatoes: Medium russet potatoes are ideal because they have the perfect starchy texture and sturdy skins for twice-baking. Try to select potatoes of similar size so they cook evenly.
• Oil: Vegetable oil, canola oil, or light olive oil all work well for coating the potatoes before the initial bake. This helps crisp up the skins.
• Butter and sour cream: These add richness and creaminess to the mashed potato filling. Make sure the butter is at room temperature so it incorporates smoothly.
• Half and half or whipping cream: This adds moisture and creates an extra creamy texture. You can substitute milk if needed, though the filling won’t be quite as luxurious.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan or pre-grated will work, but fresh always has better flavor.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents.
• Bacon: Cook the bacon until it’s almost crisp – it will continue cooking slightly during the second bake. You can substitute turkey bacon or even ham if preferred.
• Green onions: These add a fresh, mild onion flavor and bright color as a garnish. Chives make a great substitute.

How To Make Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

Start by washing and thoroughly drying your potatoes. Using a fork, prick them all over to allow steam to escape during cooking. Brush each potato with a light coating of oil and sprinkle with a little salt – this helps create that deliciously crispy skin.

Place the prepared potatoes in your air fryer basket, setting the temperature to 400°F. Let them cook for 45 minutes, which gives them plenty of time to become soft and fluffy inside. When the timer goes off, allow the potatoes to cool in the air fryer for about 5 minutes so they’re easier to handle.

Next, transfer the potatoes to a cutting board and cut each one in half horizontally. Carefully scoop out the cooked potato flesh from each half, making sure to leave the skins intact to create little “boats” for the filling. Place all the scooped potato flesh in a medium mixing bowl.

While the potato flesh is still warm, add the butter, sour cream, half and half or whipping cream, grated parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mash everything together until smooth and creamy. Take a quick taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Now divide the creamy potato mixture evenly between the eight potato skin shells. Top each filled potato half with about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese, then sprinkle with a generous tablespoon of the diced bacon.

If you’re serving them right away, place four potato halves back in the air fryer basket (they likely won’t all fit at once) and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. This will heat everything through and create that perfectly melted cheese topping. Keep the first batch warm while you cook the second batch.

Serve your air fryer twice baked potatoes hot from the air fryer with optional toppings like a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions.

Substitutions and Variations

• Try different cheeses. Swap the cheddar and parmesan for pepper jack and mozzarella, or use a smoky gouda. Almost any good melting cheese works well in this recipe.
• Make them more substantial. Turn these potatoes into a complete meal by adding cooked ground beef or shredded rotisserie chicken to the potato filling. You can also add chili con carne on top!
• Create a vegetarian version. Skip the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and roasted red peppers to the filling instead.

Make Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make Ahead: These potatoes are perfect for preparing in advance. You can complete all steps up to the second air frying, then store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, simply air fry them at 400°F for 10 minutes.

Store: Keep leftover twice baked potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for about 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy on top.

Freeze: One of the best features of this recipe is how well it freezes! After assembling the potatoes with the filling, cheese, and bacon (but before the final cooking), wrap each potato half individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a large freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

To cook from frozen, you have two options: Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, or cook them directly from frozen at 400°F for about 20 minutes. The direct-from-frozen method works surprisingly well and is perfect for last-minute meal planning

Recipe Tips

• Don’t skip pricking the potatoes with a fork before cooking. This allows steam to escape and prevents them from potentially bursting in the air fryer.
• Let the potatoes cool slightly before handling them – this makes scooping out the flesh much easier and prevents burned fingers.
• If your air fryer basket can’t fit all potato halves at once, work in batches and keep the first batch warm in a low oven (200°F) while the second batch cooks.

Can I make twice baked potatoes in a regular oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes, you can! Bake the whole potatoes at 400°F for about 1 hour until tender. After filling them, bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tops are slightly golden brown.

Can I use other types of potatoes besides russets?

Russets are ideal because of their starchy texture and sturdy skins. Sweet potatoes are another delicious alternative for a different twist.

These Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes combine the best of both worlds – steakhouse flavor with home cooking convenience. They’re perfect for pairing with your favorite main dishes and can be prepped ahead for those busy nights when you need something special. Give them a try and see why they’ve become a favorite in our house!