Crispy and Cheesy Air Fryer Potato Skins (3-Ingredients!)
Crispy and cheesy Air Fryer Potato Skins are the ultimate appetizer or snack. Made with 3 ingredients, these potato skins are delicious and loaded with all your favorite toppings! Enjoy them with a Strawberry Watermelon Mocktail.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These potato skins in the air fryer are crispy, cheesy and sooo easy to make. Serve them topped with sour cream, green onions (or chives), or drizzled with homemade ranch. Crunchy, comforting, and always the best low-effort snack or appetizer.
I love using the air fryer to make appetizers. Everything from these Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Air Fryer Lamb Chops, and these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings with Homemade BBQ Sauce. Quick, easy, and perfect for snacking or serving for game day parties.
Already have baked potatoes on hand? Great, this recipe will take about 15 minutes to make. If you are using raw potatoes, no worries! They’ll take about 40 – 50 minutes to bake in the air fryer, and I’ve included instructions on how to cook baked potatoes in the air fryer down in the recipe card.
Recipe Ingredients
- Baked potatoes – You will need cooked baked potatoes for this recipe. I baked mine inside the air fryer (instructions down below!), or you could bake them in the oven.
- Cheese – I used cheddar cheese but really any cheese would work here. I would avoid fresh mozzarella cheese because it won’t brown well and will make your potato skins soggy. Freshly grated cheese will melt the best.
- Optional toppings – This homemade air fryer potato skins recipe is made with only 3 basic ingredients, but the toppings are endless. Green onions or chives for garnish, sour cream, salsa or chopped tomatoes, this 4-ingredient Guacamole recipe without cilantro or tomatoes, or this Buffalo Ranch Dressing.
How To Make Potato Skins in the Air Fryer
All ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer
If you don’t have leftover baked potatoes here is how to bake them in the air fryer.
Start by scrubbing your potatoes really well with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt or debris. Dry with paper towels, then rub with olive oil. The oil really helps to crisp up the potato skin.
Place potatoes inside the air fryer basket to cook. Flip over, then continue cooking until the potatoes are soft when pressed and a thin knife slides through easily.
Allow your potatoes to cool for at least 30 minutes before trying to cut and scoop out of the insides.
Make cheesy air-fried potato skins
Cut your baked potatoes in half lengthwise then scoop out the insides leaving ¼ inch all around. Brush with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Place potato skins inside the air fryer to cook until the edges are just starting to brown.
Fill with shredded cheese, then return to the air fryer to cook for another couple of minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve immediately with a dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions or chives. Enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Russets! They have large thick skin that holds up when air-fried.
Potato skins are best when enjoyed immediately. If you want to save some time, bake the potatoes in the air fryer or oven the day before, then all you have to do is scoop out the potatoes and fill them with cheese.
Looking For More Recipes?
- Smashed potatoes with cheese
- Garlic Parmesan Ranch Dip
- Herby Ranch Dressing with Fresh or Dried Herbs
- Air fryer lemon pepper wings
- Air fryer buffalo wings
- Crispy Chicken tenders
- Beef Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies in the Oven
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Air Fryer Potato Skins
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Cheese grater
- Vegetable brush
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes or 4 baked russet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
Optional
- Sour cream
- Green onions or chives, chopped
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Ranch dressing
Instructions
Make baked potatoes in the air fryer
- If using cooked baked potatoes, skip to making the potato skins.
- Rinse and scrub your potatoes with a veggie wash or vegetable brush. Pat dry then rub with olive oil. 4 medium russet potatoes 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Bake at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes then flip over and cook for another 10 – 20 minutes until they are soft when pressed and a thin knife slides in easily.
- Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes or until they are cool enough to handle.
Make air fryer potato skins
- Cut cooled, baked potatoes in half lengthwise, scoop out the flesh, leaving ¼ inch of potato on the inside.
- Brush the inside with olive oil then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 – 7 minutes or until the edges start to crisp up. Salt and black pepper to taste
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese then air fry for another 3 – 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
- Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions or chives. Enjoy!
Wash with “Soap”?
Are you serious?
No one washes potatoes with soap.
I’m hoping that was a typo or AI generated 😉
Hi Darrell, like a veggie wash. I just updated the post. Thanks!