Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato

Get ready to up your potato game with our Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato recipe—where perfectly roasted potatoes meet crispy bacon, butter, and creamy sour cream. Whether it's enjoyed as a hearty side dish or a satisfying main meal, it offers the perfect blend of crispy exteriors + fluffy interiors. Quick, easy, and absolutely delicious! Dairy-free, Vegan + Oven Option.

Alright, listen up! I'm a die-hard potato lover—I mean, mashed, fried, or baked, you name it, I'm there. Lately, I've been living that air-fryer life, and let me tell you, it's a total game-changer. So, I decided to whip up a Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato recipe, and oh boy, it was a hit! The air fryer not only slashes cooking time in half but also gives that irresistible crispy crunch we all crave + bacon makes everything better. Trust me, it's a potato lover's dream.

They're SO fluffy on the inside + crispy on the outside—a total win-win! I love topping them with melted butter, crispy bacon, and sour cream. But here's the best part: you can totally mix it up! Add some melty cheese or a tasty parmesan sauce for a twist. It's such a fun dish for sides or even as the main event, especially because everyone can customize it at the table. The kids absolutely love it too! And if you don't have an air fryer, no sweat—you can easily use an oven.

If you're all about potatoes like I am and love busting out the air fryer, then y'all have to try Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries, Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Potato Wedges next! They're seriously game-changers and perfect for satisfying those cravings. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you later!

Jump to:

• What Is An Air-Fryer?
• What Do Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potatoes Taste Like?
• How To Make Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potatoes
• Ingredients
• How To Air-Fry Bacon
• Tips For The Best Air-Fryer Potatoes
• Ideas For Air-Fryer Baked Potato Toppings
• What Sauces Go Well With Air-Fryer Baked Potato
• What To Serve With Air-Fryer Baked Potato
• Can I Make Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato In The Oven?
• What The Best Type Of Potato For Baked Potato
• Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato Q + A's
• More Mouthwateringly Good Potato Recipes
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato

What Is An Air-Fryer?

An air fryer is like having a magical kitchen sidekick! Picture this: it cooks your favorite foods by swirling hot air around them, creating that crispy goodness you love without all the excess oil. From crispy fries to juicy chicken wings and more, it's a game-changer in the kitchen. My favorite is the Instant Vortex Plus, but feel free to use whatever you have. And if you don't have an air fryer, don't worry—I'll share below how to achieve delicious baked potatoes with an oven too!

What Do Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potatoes Taste Like?

• Crunchy outside, soft inside—a perfect combo.
• Bursting with savory goodness
• Crispy bacon meets fluffy potatoes.
• Each bite is a burst of buttery flavor.
• Seriously addictive—watch out! They'll leave you craving more!

How To Make Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potatoes

We oil our whole potatoes, give them a prick or slash to help them cook, and pop them into the air fryer. As for the bacon, you can check out my Candied Bacon recipe for the Air Fryer option. You can always candy the bacon or skip the topping ingredients and cook them plain. Then, add butter, sour cream, and any other toppings you fancy. Check out more ideas below.

Ingredients

POTATOES:

• Russet potatoes. Russets have a high starch content and a thick skin, which helps them bake evenly and develop that fluffy interior texture that we love in baked potatoes!
• Extra virgin olive oil. This helps to get a crispy outer and make sure it doesn't dry out.
• Sea salt + black pepper.

OPTIONAL GARNISH:

• Chopped bacon. See below for how to air-fry bacon.
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Shredded cheese
• Chopped green onions (aka scallions)
• Butter

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS BAKED POTATO!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato recipe. Everything from my air fryer, knives, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Air-Fry Bacon

Air-frying bacon is simple! Here's how:

• Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping to ensure even cooking.
• Cook the bacon in the air fryer for about 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and your desired level of crispiness. Check it after 8 minutes and adjust the cooking time as needed. Keep an eye on the bacon to prevent burning. It should be extra crispy once cooled.

For this recipe, you can totally use pork or turkey bacon. Thick-cut slices are always best!

Tips For The Best Air-Fryer Potatoes

Scrub those taters - The skin is delicious when salted, so give your potatoes a good rinse before cooking to ensure they're clean and tasty.

Give 'em a poke - While it takes a few extra seconds, poking your potatoes helps prevent any messy bursts in the air fryer. Trust me, it's worth it!

Avoid overcrowding - Make sure there's plenty of room for the air to circulate around your potatoes.

Check for doneness - Stick a knife into the center of your potato—if it slides in easily, your spud is ready to go. If not, just pop it back in the air fryer for a bit longer.

Ideas For Air-Fryer Baked Potato Toppings

I'm a huge fan of fully loaded-baked or in this case air-fried potatoes—they're perfect as a side dish or even for dinner/lunch! Setting up a baked potato bar is always a hit, with endless topping options. Here are some of my favorites:

• Cheese--- A classic option, cheddar, shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese! For a vegan option try Follow Your Heart or Daiya (they have a new oat milk base that melts really well)
• Herb roasted tomatoes
• Roasted chickpeas
• For an extra crunch panko breadcrumbs 
• Browned butter
• Roasted garlic
• Chilli flakes for some added spice!
• Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Caramelized onions
• Vegan BBQ meatballs
• Fresh basil or homemade pesto
• Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Dip (it's so yummy drizzled atop)
• Shredded chicken
• Ham
• BBQ pinto beans

What Sauces Go Well With Air-Fryer Baked Potato

This easy Air-Fryer Baked Potato recipe is full of flavor all on its own. But who doesn’t love to drizzle and dip?

Serve your potato with any (or all) of these tasty condiments:

• Garlic parmesan sauce
• Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing
• In-N-Out Sauce
• Ranch Sauce
• Honey mustard
• Creamy Chipotle Dressing/Sauce
• Avocado Cilantro Lime Sauce
• Salsa verde
• Hot sauce!
• Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
• Pesto sauce

What To Serve With Air-Fryer Baked Potato

Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potatoes are delicious solo, but if you're pairing them with a main dish, here are some of my family's favorites:

• Pan Seared Steak
• Hot Honey Chicken Breasts or Jerk Whole Roast Chicken 
• Sheet Pan Garlic Herb Salmon
• BBQ Ribs
• Lemon Pepper Chicken Chopped Salad
• Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
• The Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

And let's not forget about garlic bread! Having some roasted garlic bread alongside is always a hit! Haha

Can I Make Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato In The Oven?

Of course, both methods of making these 'baked potatoes' are effective. However, if you’re wondering whether you’d be able to also make these potatoes in the oven—-then yes!

To make your baked potatoes in the air-frier, it's very similar to doing it in the oven. The only difference would be the cooking time and adding them to a basket versus a baking sheet. The oven will take slightly longer so keep an eye on them and poke a hole if you're unsure if they are cooked.

What The Best Type Of Potato For Baked Potato

The best type of potato for a classic baked potato is typically a russet potato. Its high starch content and thick skin help create that fluffy interior and crispy exterior that we love in baked potatoes.

However, you can use sweet potatoes for a different twist! Sweet potatoes have a sweeter flavor and a softer texture when baked, but they work wonderfully as baked potatoes too. Just keep in mind that the cooking time might vary compared to russet potatoes, so you may need to adjust accordingly. Check out my Spiced Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe!

Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato Q + A's

More Mouthwateringly Good Potato Recipes

If you’re a true lover of this Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato recipe like I am (and my readers), then these other potato dishes will surely be a new staple in your house:

• Chipotle Sweet Potato Quinoa Tacos
• Loaded Mashed Potatoes 
• Garlic Herb Smashed Potatoes
• Ultra Creamy Cheesy Garlic Vegan Mashed Potatoes
• Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Berry Breakfast Boats
• Cajun Sweet Potato Grits with Crispy Chickpeas
• Flourless Vegan Sweet Potato Oats Waffles
• Easy Vegan Roasted Potato Salad
• Vegan Sweet Potato Maple Herb Cornbread 

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Air Fryer Bacon Baked Potato recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

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