These easy Air Fryer Potato Skins are filled with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, then air fried at 380°F for about 10 minutes. Top them with sour cream, green onions, Ranch dressing, or your favorite loaded potato skin toppings.
There’s no need to air fry the empty potato skins first. Just scoop out the baked potatoes, add the cheese and bacon, and air fry them once for an easy appetizer or side dish with crispy skins and melty cheese.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They’re quick and easy, with just a few ingredients.
- They are the perfect appetizer for game day or any other get-together where you need snacks.
- They also make a great side dish.
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card for exact amounts.
- Baked Potatoes: I use Russet potatoes, but Yukon Gold or red potatoes will also work.
- Cheddar Cheese: Grated fresh off the block or pre-shredded will both work.
- Bacon Crumbles: I use center cut bacon but you can use any type you like, even the pre-cooked will work.
- Green Onions: Substitute chives, or leave them off if you aren’t a fan of onions.
- Sour Cream: Full fat or low-fat sour cream will work here.
- Ranch Dressing: Your favorite brand, we like Hidden Valley best.
How long do you cook potato skins in the air fryer?
Once the baked potato skins are filled with cheese and bacon, air fry them at 380°F for about 10 minutes. Smaller potato skins may cook a little faster.
How to make air fryer baked potatoes
I like to make the baked potatoes in the air fryer too. They take about 30–40 minutes and can be made ahead and refrigerated until you’re ready to make the potato skins. See my Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe for detailed instructions.
How to Make Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Spoon out the inside of the potato leaving about ¼ inch of potato in the skin.
- Put 2 tablespoons of cheese into each potato skin. Divide the bacon between them.
- Coat the inside of the air fryer basket with a little bit of nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the filled potato halves in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 380° for 10 minutes.
- Top with green onions, sour cream, Ranch dressing, or your favorite toppings.
Recipe Note – My potatoes were about 7–9 ounces each. Smaller potatoes may cook faster.
Tips
- If you just made the baked potatoes in the air fryer, you can skip the cooking spray. Otherwise, lightly spray the basket to help prevent sticking.
- I use a regular teaspoon to scoop out the potato.
- How much potato you leave in the skin is personal preference really, we leave about a ¼ inch.
- I put the sour cream and dressing in a zip top bag and cut a small hole in the corner to “pipe” it onto the cooked potato skins.
Variations
There are no limitations when it comes to baked potato skins. You can use another meat instead of bacon such as chicken or ground beef.
Some ideas are:
- Taco – use ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, cheese, salsa and sour cream.
- Buffalo Chicken – shredded chicken, buffalo sauce and Ranch dressing.
- Chili & Cheese – chili, with or without beans, and cheese.
- Broccoli Cheddar – steamed broccoli and cheddar cheese.
- Pizza – pepperoni and pizza sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover potato skins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until heated through.
Can you reheat leftover loaded potato skins in the air fryer?
Air fry them at 380° for 3-5 minutes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Potato Skins Recipe
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Ingredients
For the baked potatoes
- 4 potatoes 7-9 ounces each
- 2 teaspoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
For the loaded air fried potato skins
- 8 baked potato skins
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 6 slices bacon cooked and cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons green onions or to taste
- sour cream
- Ranch dressing
- Cooking spray
Instructions
To make air fryer baked potatoes
- Scrub potatoes under cold water and dry with a paper towel.4 potatoes
- Pierce each potato several times with a fork. I usually poke them on all 4 sides and on each end.
- Brush each potato with a little oil and sprinkle with salt and put in the air fryer basket in a single layer making sure that there is a little room in between each potato.2 teaspoons canola oil, 1 teaspoon salt
- Air fry at 400° for 30-40 minutes or until a fork goes into the potato easily.
To make loaded air fried potato skins
- Spoon out the inside of the potato leaving about ¼ inch of potato in the skin.8 baked potato skins
- Put 2 tablespoons of cheese into each potato skin. Divide bacon between them.1 cup shredded cheese, 6 slices bacon
- Coat the inside of the air fryer basket with a little bit of nonstick cooking spray.Cooking spray
- Place the potato halves in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 380° for 10 minutes.
- Top with green onions, sour cream, or Ranch dressing, or your favorite toppings.2 tablespoons green onions, sour cream, Ranch dressing
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.