Twice Baked Potatoes Air Fryer Recipe

Last night was one of those chaotic weeknight dinners that every mom knows too well. Between Emma’s volleyball practice, Jake’s homework meltdown, and Lily insisting on reorganizing her rock collection, I needed a dinner win. My twice baked potatoes air fryer recipe came to the rescue! These potatoes have all the creamy, cheesy goodness of the traditional version but cook in half the time. David calls them my “secret weapon” for busy nights, and even picky Jake cleaned his plate—the ultimate mom victory!

Why This Twice Baked Potatoes Air Fryer Recipe Works

• Super Time-Efficient: Traditional twice baked potatoes take forever in the oven. The air fryer cuts cooking time nearly in half!
• Perfect Texture Contrast: Crispy skins with creamy, fluffy centers that traditional methods can’t match.
• Kid-Approved: This twice baked potatoes recipe air fryer version passes my family’s taste test every time.
• Customizable: Each family member can add their favorite toppings to make it their own.
• Energy Efficient: No need to heat up your entire kitchen with the oven, especially helpful during Colorado summers.
• Simple Cleanup: Just a few dishes and the air fryer basket to wash—a busy parent’s dream!

What You’ll Need For These Potato Delights

These twice baked potatoes air fryer masterpieces require just a handful of ingredients you probably already have. Russet potatoes form the base, while butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon create that classic twice baked flavor we all love.

How To Make Twice Baked Potatoes Air Fryer

The basic process is wonderfully straightforward: first air fry whole potatoes until tender, then scoop out the flesh and mix with creamy, cheesy goodness. Refill the potato skins with this mixture and air fry again until golden and bubbly. This twice baked potato air fryer method gives you restaurant-quality results in just about 30 minutes of active time.

Twice Baked Potatoes Air Fryer Recipe

Creamy, cheesy twice baked potatoes made quickly and easily in the air fryer. With crispy skins and fluffy, flavorful filling, this family-friendly recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing side dish.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 4 potatoes

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 375

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 medium Russet potatoes about 5-6 ounces each
• 2 tbsp olive oil divided
• 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
• 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• 2 tbsp chives chopped
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Mixing Bowl
• Spoon
• Fork

Method

 

First Air Fry

• Wash and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Prick each potato several times with a fork.
• Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the potatoes and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Place potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching.
• Air fry at 400°F for 30-40 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Let potatoes rest for 5 minutes.

Prepare Filling

• Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato attached to the skin to maintain structure.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the potato flesh with butter, sour cream, 3/4 cup of cheese, half the bacon, chives, garlic powder, remaining salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined but still somewhat chunky.
• Brush the potato skins with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, inside and out.
• Spoon the filling back into the potato skins, dividing evenly among all halves. Top with remaining cheese and bacon.

Second Air Fry

• Place the filled potato halves back in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.
• Air fry at 370°F for 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
• Garnish with additional chives if desired and serve hot.

Notes

For lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the sour cream. Make ahead: Complete through filling the potatoes, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before the second air fry. Leftover twice baked potatoes can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Twice Baked Potatoes Air Fryer Results

Choose the Right Potatoes

Select medium-sized Russet potatoes of similar size to ensure even cooking. I find potatoes about 5-6 ounces each work perfectly in the air fryer.

Pre-Treatment Matters

Rub potatoes with olive oil and salt before the first cook. This helps crisp the skins and adds flavor to your twice baked potatoes air fryer creation.

My Secret Trick:

Let the cooked potatoes rest for 5 minutes before cutting. This allows the steam to redistribute inside, making the potatoes easier to scoop without tearing the skins.

Don’t Overfill

When refilling the potato skins, pile the filling high but don’t pack it too tightly. This allows hot air to circulate for that perfect golden top on your twice baked potatoes.

Temperature Settings

For the first cook, 400°F works best. For the second cook after filling, reduce to 370°F to prevent burning the cheese while warming the filling through.

Fun Variations for Twice Baked Potatoes Air Fryer Style

Southwest Style: Add chopped jalapeños, corn, black beans, and pepper jack cheese. Lily absolutely loves this spicy version of twice baked potatoes air fryer recipe!

Loaded Breakfast Potato: Mix in scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage, then top with extra cheese. Perfect weekend brunch option when air frying twice baked potatoes.

Greek-Inspired: Add feta cheese, olives, and a sprinkle of oregano. This Mediterranean twist is David’s favorite variation.

Buffalo Chicken: Mix in shredded rotisserie chicken and buffalo sauce, then top with blue cheese. This twice baked potato air fryer variation is what Emma requests for her volleyball team dinners.

Veggie Lover’s: Add steamed broccoli, diced bell peppers, and caramelized onions for a vegetable-packed option.

Serving Suggestions That Complete The Meal

These twice baked potatoes air fryer treats work wonderfully as a hearty side dish or as the main event with a few accompaniments. In our house, we love serving them with:

• A simple side salad with vinaigrette dressing for freshness
• Grilled chicken or steak for a complete protein-packed meal
• Steamed green vegetables like broccoli or asparagus
• Garlic bread for carb lovers (aka Jake, who somehow never fills up!)

For casual family dinners, I set up a toppings bar with extra cheese, chives, bacon bits, and sour cream, letting everyone customize their twice baked potatoes in air fryer to perfection.

Storing & Reheating Tips

Leftover twice baked potatoes air fryer creations store beautifully! Place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

My Quick Tip for reheating: The air fryer is absolutely perfect for bringing leftover twice baked potatoes back to life! Just 3-4 minutes at 350°F restores that wonderful contrast between crispy exterior and creamy interior.

You can also freeze assembled but not twice-cooked potatoes for up to 3 months. Wrap individually in foil, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before the second air frying.

Workflow & Time-Saving Tips

As a busy dental hygienist juggling three kids’ schedules, I’ve developed some time-saving tricks for these twice baked potatoes air fryer style:

1. Prep ahead: Bake the potatoes the day before and refrigerate them whole. The next day, just scoop, mix, fill, and finish in the air fryer.

2. Assembly line approach: When making twice baked potatoes air fryer style for a crowd, set up stations—one for scooping, one for mixing, one for filling.

3. Multitask intelligently: While the potatoes are in their first cook, prepare other meal components or help Jake with homework (math is my nemesis!).

4. Double batch strategy: Make extra and freeze half for another meal. Future you will be so grateful!

FAQs About Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

Nutritional Benefits Worth Noting

While indulgent, twice baked potatoes air fryer style can be part of a balanced meal. Potatoes themselves provide vitamin C, potassium, and B vitamins. Using reduced-fat dairy products and loading up on vegetable mix-ins can improve the nutrition profile.

The air fryer method also requires less oil than traditional recipes, reducing overall fat content. When I make twice baked potatoes air fryer style for Lily’s soccer team, I often substitute Greek yogurt for some of the sour cream for extra protein.

Enjoy This Family Favorite!

These twice baked potatoes air fryer recipe has saved countless weeknight dinners in our home. There’s something magical about that combination of crispy potato skin and creamy, cheesy filling that brings everyone to the table with smiles. Even on our busiest Colorado days, when we’re rushing between school, work, and mountain adventures, I can count on this recipe.

I hope your family enjoys these twice baked potatoes air fryer style as much as mine does! Let me know how it turns out in the comments below.