Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside - these double-cooked spuds in the air fryer make an amazing accompaniment to any meal. They mix up the smooth, cheese-filled center with a super crisp exterior. You won't need much prep time, and they cook up fast for a fresh take on regular baked potatoes.
What You'll Need
- 3 medium Russet Potatoes: They've got that fluffy inside that works perfectly for scooping and refilling.
- 1-2 tbsp Olive Oil: This helps the skins get nice and crunchy when they hit the air fryer.
- Kosher Salt: It kicks up the taste of the skins and makes everything tastier.
- 2 tbsp softened Butter: Gives that smooth, rich feel to what goes inside the potatoes.
- Black Pepper: Brings a bit of zing that cuts through all that creaminess.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a light garlic taste that doesn't take over the whole dish.
- Onion Powder: Works with the garlic to give the potato mix more flavor layers.
Extra Stuff You'll Need:
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese (split up): Gets all gooey in the mix and on top, adding that rich cheese flavor.
- 1 cup Sour Cream: Makes everything smooth and tangy, balancing out the richness.
- 2 cooked and crumbled Bacon slices: Adds that salty crunch that goes so well with soft potatoes.
- Green Onions, chopped (if you want): Sprinkle on top for color and fresh taste.
How To Make Them
- Step 1: Get the Potatoes Ready
- Scrub and dry your potatoes completely. Rub them all over with olive oil, add a sprinkle of kosher salt, and poke holes with a fork so steam can get out.
- Step 2: Warm Up Your Air Fryer
- Get your air fryer hot at 400°F (204°C) for about 3 minutes, making sure to follow what your specific model needs.
- Step 3: Cook the Potatoes
- Put the potatoes in your air fryer basket with some space between them. Let them cook for 30 minutes, turning them over halfway. They're done when a fork slides in easily.
- Step 4: Let Them Cool and Hollow Out
- Wait about 10 minutes until you can handle the potatoes. Cut them in half the long way and carefully scoop out most of the insides, leaving just a thin layer so the skins don't break.
- Step 5: Create Your Filling
- In a big bowl, smash up the potato insides with a mixer or masher. Mix in the soft butter, some black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, and all the sour cream. Stir until it's all smooth.
- Step 6: Stuff the Skins
- Put the mashed mix back into the potato shells, piling it a bit high. Sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of cheese on top along with the bacon bits.
- Step 7: Final Cook
- Put the filled potato halves back in the air fryer. Cook them for 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts and everything's hot all the way through.
- Step 8: Time to Eat
- Enjoy these twice-cooked potatoes while they're hot. Toss some green onions on top if you want that fresh pop of flavor.
How to Serve and Store
- These double-cooked air fryer potatoes taste great alongside steaks, grilled chicken, or just about any roasted veggies.
- Make them even better by adding a handful of green onions, a spoonful of sour cream, or extra bacon crumbles right before you dig in.
- Got leftovers? Keep them in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days.
- When you want to warm them up, toss them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until they're hot and still have that nice crunch.
Extra Advice
- Want something lighter? Swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt.
- Try different cheeses like Monterey Jack or pepper jack to switch things up.
- Throw in some fresh chives or parsley to add color and freshness.
Advice From The Pros
- Alton Brown says russet potatoes work best for twice-cooked recipes because they get so fluffy inside.
- Bobby Flay thinks it's worth putting extra seasoning on the skins to make every bite taste amazing.
- Rachael Ray suggests adding extra cheese to the filling if you want that super gooey, indulgent experience.
Why These Are So Good
- You'll get that perfect mix of crunchy outside and creamy, cheesy inside with every bite.
- They're super easy to make in the air fryer, so you'll save time but still get awesome flavor.
- You can add whatever toppings you like best, making them work for any dinner or special occasion.
Different Ways To Make Them
- Skip the bacon and add finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms if you don't eat meat but still want that savory taste.
- Make them hot and spicy by mixing in diced jalapeños and using pepper jack cheese instead.
- Dust the tops with smoked paprika before the final cook for a subtle smoky flavor.