Air Fryer Potato Skins Recipe

Air Fryer Potato Skins are a fantastic dinner side, appetizer, or snack. These crispy skins filled with fluffy and cheesy potatoes make for a spectacular recipe. These have bacon, two kinds of cheese, and sour cream, but you can easily change the recipe to suit your tastes and add your favorite toppings as well.

Looking for more great recipes? Another fantastic side dish, these Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are crispy and full of flavors. Our savory Oven Baked Chicken Thighs are the perfect entrée to go with these potatoes. Alternatively, you could make these flaky and crispy Salmon Patties to go with your potato skins. 

This potato skin recipe will be a hit at your next holiday party or game day. Serve as an appetizer or side dish and your friends and family will be asking for more.

It is almost impossible to say no because you love them too and they are so easy to make. You can have these crunchy and delicious taters on your table in 15 minutes. 

Ingredients needed:

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to get the step-by-step instructions from our handy recipe card. Meanwhile, these are the basic ingredients you need for the best potato skins you have ever had:

• Baked potatoes: We used russet potatoes.
• Cheddar jack cheese: Divided and shredded.
• Pepper jack cheese: Freshly shredded is best.
• Cooked bacon: Chopped.
• Sour cream: Or Greek yogurt.
• Green onions: Freshly chopped.
• Olive oil

How to make air fryer potato skins from scratch?

1. Preheat: First, preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees F. 
2. Prepare: While you wait, prepare the skins by cutting the potatoes in half lengthwise and scooping out the insides of the potatoes. Leave a little bit of potato to make the shells strong enough to hold all the filling.
3. Oil: Then, brush the potato halves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
4. Ready: Meanwhile, coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
5. Cook: Next, place the potato shells in a single layer. Make sure they are upside down. Cook for five minutes and then flip before cooking for five more minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of your air fryer. 
6. Cheese: Last, add both cheeses into the shells and cook for five more minutes or until the cheese melts and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
7. Oven: Keep the crispy skins warm on a baking sheet in the oven at about 200 degrees F while you finish frying the rest of your crispy potato skins. 
8. Serve: Finally, put these on a serving tray with a variety of toppings like bacon, cheese, and sour cream.

Recipe variations:

• Spice it up: Add some red pepper flakes to the filling for spicy skins.
• Loaded potato skins: Pile on whatever you want like shredded beef or chicken, broccoli, and other melted cheese. 
• Make them sweet: Try these homemade potato skins with sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Bacon: You could also use bacon grease instead of olive oil for an intense bacon flavor. 

How to serve:

These make the perfect appetizer for a party or family dinner. In fact, they will likely become your family’s favorite appetizers. Serve with your favorite toppings like cheese and bacon bits. Or try one of these serving ideas:

• If you use sweet potatoes, top them with mini-marshmallows and butter.
• You can also make these Italian by adding pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.
• Put a hearty scoop of our delicious chili and make these the main dish.
• Or try making taco taters by adding ground beef, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes. 
• Use leftovers to make a casserole for tomorrow’s dinner. 
• Make our baked garlic lemon chicken to go with this side dish. 

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat raw potatoes?

Yes, eating raw potatoes is safe. However, it is not usually recommended. Some people may have an intestinal reaction that is not pleasant.

Also, raw potatoes have something called antinutrients that steal the vitamins you would have gotten from eating it cooked. 

Is it safe to eat green potatoes?

Green potatoes or those that have started growing sprouts are best tossed in the trash. There are natural toxins in the potato called solanine and chaconine that can cause stomach upset as well as vomiting and diarrhea. 

Are potato skins bad for you? 

Actually, the potato peels are the healthiest part of the potato. They are full of vitamins and minerals. You can even get a good dose of your daily values of calcium and iron as well.

How to store leftovers:

1. Store: Put leftovers in an airtight container and they will stay fresh in the fridge for about three days.  
2. Freeze: If you cannot finish them in a few days, go ahead and put them in the freezer. They will be good in there for about three months. 
3. Thaw: Remember to thaw these in the fridge the night before you want to serve them.  
4. Reheat: The best way to heat up frozen potato skins is to bake in the oven for five minutes at 375 degrees F. 

Recipe tips:

• Try making air fryer baked potatoes to get them done quickly.
• Alternatively, you can use the microwave to make your potatoes cook faster. Just poke them with holes and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure you use a microwave-safe plate. 
• Use a pastry brush for coating your skins in oil. 
• Use bacon bits instead of making your own bacon to save time.
• If this is your first time using your fryer, be sure to leave enough space in between so the hot air can circulate. 
• Cook time in different appliances varies so check yours often so they do not burn.

5 from 7 votes

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Air Fryer Potato Skins

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

9 mins

 

Air Fryer Potato Skins are a fantastic dinner side, appetizer, or snack. These crispy skins are filled with fluffy and cheesy potatoes.

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Potato Skins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 436 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 6 baked potatoes cooled
• 2 cup cheddar cheese shredded, divided
• 12 slices bacon cooked and chopped
• 1/2 cup sour cream

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 385 degrees F.

2. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and using a small spoon carefully remove the flesh, leaving a 1⁄4-inch “rim”.

3. Brush the potato skins with cooking oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Arrange them in the air fryer basket, skin side up.

5. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway.

6. Divide half of the cheese inside each potato skin. Cook for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

7. Next, add sour cream, chopped bacon, remaining cheese, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Potato Skins

Amount Per Serving

Calories 436 Calories from Fat 306

% Daily Value*

Fat 34g52%

Saturated Fat 16g100%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 79mg26%

Sodium 553mg24%

Potassium 1048mg30%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 20g40%

Vitamin A 517IU10%

Vitamin C 42mg51%

Calcium 320mg32%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.