The Easiest Air Fryer Potato Skins Recipe You Will Ever Find

These air fryer loaded potato skins will make you feel game-day ready or like you’re at your favorite sports bar! Let us teach you how to make delicious, mouthwatering potato skins at home. These are so simple to make, you will be shocked when you see how easy it is.

I’m such a SUCKER for potato skins – I mean – what’s not to love? I’d never made them at home – and now I make them all the time! These air fryer potato skins from scratch are so much better than the frozen ones! Oye! Cheese, bacon, sour cream – I’m hungry again already!

Ingredients for Potato Skins

These guys are like little mini loaded baked potatoes with all the fixins! Here’s what you need: 

• 6 small red potatoes – you can use russet potatoes but you’ll need to cook them longer. I went with small red potatoes because of the air fryer basket size. 
• 6 slices thick cut bacon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp coarse sea salt
• 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese or cheddar cheese 
• 2 green onions diced – or you can use chives
• sour cream – you can also substitute plain greek yogurt for sour cream
  • OPTIONAL: you can drizzle your favorite ranch dressing over the top
• Lawry’s seasoning salt – or any kind of seasoning salt like my Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning

What kind of potatoes should you use for potato skins?

I’m not sure there’s a bad potato to use for these! You can use small russets, Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes. I used fairly small red potatoes so they would be 1-2 bites. I found mine at a Farmers’ Market – but really – any potato is a good potato!

What are the health benefits of potato peels?

Potato skins are full of iron, B3 and fiber. They help support red blood cell function, break down nutrients into useable fuel and help you recover from stress.

How to make crispy potato skins in the air fryer?

This recipe has a few steps but it’s easy and actually pretty fun! 

• Air fry bacon at 400 for 10 minutes 
  • If your air fryer blows the bacon around – hold down slices by laying two butter knives across them
  • Once bacon is done, place in paper towel to cool
• Poke slits in potatoes, wrap in wet paper towel and microwave for 5 minutes. potatoes are done when knife or fork goes in easily (you’ll need more time for larger potatoes)
  • After potatoes are done in microwave, set in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to cool
  • Once potatoes are cool, slice in half lengthwise
• Scoop out about half of the flesh (the inside of the potatoes) delicately with a sharp spoon (save the insides for mashed potatoes!) Be sure to leave a ridge around the edges because you still want some tater in there!
• Place potatoes in air fryer basket – cut side down – sprinkle with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle of coarse sea salt
  • Air fry at 375 for 5 minutes
  • Flip potatoes to cut side up and sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt. This will get the outsides nice and crisp! Air fry at 375 for 4 minutes more
• While potatoes are air frying, chop bacon, shred cheese and dice green onions
• When potatoes are done, add shredded cheese. Pack in a bit so it doesn’t blow around. Air fry at 375 for 3 minutes until cheese is melted
• Remove and plate potato skins, top with bacon crumbles, sour cream, green onions and seasoning salt

Can you freeze air fryer potato skins?

Yes – you definitely could freeze them at the step before you add the cheese. You could even add the shredded cheese but not heat it and freeze at that point. I would place them on a cookie sheet covered with something like Press ‘n Seal until they freeze and then pop them off and into a freezer bag. Then you could take out a few and make whenever you want (omg – I’m doing that tomorrow!!!).

How do you warm up potato skins in the air fryer?

Place them back in the air fryer – you might want to scrape off any sour cream – and air fry at 300 for 5-7 minutes. Check frequently to be sure you’re not overcooking. You might also want to add some fresh cheese. 

How long to heat up frozen potato skins in the air fryer?

My rule of thumb with grocery store frozen snacks is same temperature and half the time. For example – the TGI Fridays brand says to bake at 450 for 18 minutes in the oven – so in the air fryer – 450 degrees for 9 minutes!

Game Day Snacks

• Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
• Skyline Chili Cheese Dip
• Copycat Trash Can Nachos

Other Pub Food Favorites

• Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Taco Stuffed Jalapenos
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes