Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
*This page may contain affiliate links
These air fryer loaded potato skins are crispy, cheesy, and topped with bacon. Perfect as a snack or side dish.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
These air fryer loaded potato skins are the ultimate comfort food. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and topped with melted cheese and bacon, they’re impossible to resist.
Whether you’re looking for a snack, appetizer, or side dish, these potato skins hit the spot every time. They take me back to my school days, standing in the school cafeteria at break time on a cold winter day, feeling very content with my little cheesy, bacon potato hand warmer… good times.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
This recipe is simple yet delivers big on flavor. The air fryer creates perfectly crisp potato skins while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
What’s even better is that this recipe is featured in my latest book, Fitwaffle’s Easy Air Fryer, available now on Amazon. It’s packed with quick, easy, and delicious recipes like this one!
Equipment You’ll Need
To make these loaded potato skins, you’ll need:
- Air fryer – For perfectly crispy potato skins without the mess of deep-frying. I used a Tower 11L Air Fryer, it’s my favourite Air Fryer.
- Mixing bowl – To combine the potato filling.
- Spoon – For scooping out the potato flesh.
- Knife – To slice the potatoes in half.
Why Cooking in an Air Fryer is a Game-Changer
- Faster Cooking: The air fryer reduces the cooking time compared to traditional ovens.
- Crispy Results: It creates a crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
- Energy-Efficient: Air fryers use less energy than ovens, saving both time and money.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
- 2 small or medium floury or baking potatoes (I use Maris Piper)
- Olive oil
- 15 g salted butter, softened (1 tbsp butter)
- 50 g Cheddar and/or mozzarella, grated (1 ¾ oz)
- 1 rasher of bacon, diced into small pieces
- Salt and pepper
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Fresh chives, finely chopped
How to Make Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 170˚C (340˚F) to preheat.
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
Scrub the potatoes clean, then rub them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes.
Increase the temperature to 200˚C (400˚F) and cook for an additional 12–15 minutes. The potatoes should be crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. They may need slightly longer depending on your air fryer.
Step 3: Prepare the Skins
Carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Slice them in half horizontally and scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl, leaving a thin layer inside the skins. Set the skins aside.
Step 4: Make the Filling
Mash the potato flesh with the butter, salt, pepper, and half the grated cheese. Stir until well combined, then spoon the mixture back into the potato skins – I fill mine right up to the brim.
Step 5: Add the Toppings
Sprinkle the remaining cheese and diced bacon over the stuffed potato skins.
Step 6: Air Fry to Finish
Place the filled potato skins back into the air fryer and cook at 200˚C (400˚F) for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Sprinkle the potato skins with chopped chives and serve with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
Why These Potato Skins Are Perfect for Any Occasion
These air fryer loaded potato skins are a versatile dish that works for any occasion. Serve them as an appetizer for parties, a snack during game night, or a side dish for dinner.
Their crispy, cheesy goodness makes them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and the fact that they’re cooked in an air fryer means they’re quick and easy to prepare.
Tips for the Best Loaded Potato Skins
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Use floury or baking potatoes like Maris Piper for the fluffiest texture.
- Don’t Over-Scoop: Leave a thin layer of potato inside the skins to help them hold their shape.
- Customize the Toppings: Add jalapeños, sour cream, or extra cheese to make them your own.
- Serve Fresh: These potato skins are best served fresh out of the air fryer for maximum crispiness (be careful though, they will be very hot!).
Serving Suggestions
These potato skins are delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with barbecue ribs, grilled chicken, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
For a fun variation, drizzle them with barbecue sauce or add a pinch of chili flakes for some heat.
Watch My Step-by-Step Video
Want to see how to make these loaded potato skins? Watch my tutorial on the Fitwaffle Kitchen YouTube channel.
Follow me on Instagram @fitwafflekitchen and TikTok @fitwaffle for more air fryer recipes and tips!
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
These air fryer loaded potato skins are everything you want in a comfort food—crispy, cheesy, and full of flavour. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing, whether it’s a casual snack or a party appetizer.
Because they’re so customizable, you can make them your own every time. Once you try this recipe, you’ll want to keep it on repeat!
Other Recipes to Try
If you loved this recipe, check out these other easy air fryer recipes from Fitwaffle Kitchen:
- Air Fryer Mac n Cheese: An easy, cheesy, comforting meal made totally in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Pizza Bagel Bites: A super cute snack or party appetiser that’s quick, easy to make and so delicious!
Both recipes are quick, easy, and perfectly satisfying!
Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
Ingredients
- 2 small or medium floury or baking potatoes I use Maris Piper
- Olive oil
- 15 g salted butter softened (1 tbsp butter)
- 50 g Cheddar and/or mozzarella grated (1 ¾ oz)
- 1 rasher of bacon diced into small pieces
- Salt and pepper
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Fresh chives finely chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Set your air fryer to 170˚C (340˚F) to preheat.
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
- Scrub the potatoes clean, then rub them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Increase the temperature to 200˚C (400˚F) and cook for an additional 12–15 minutes. The potatoes should be crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. They may need slightly longer depending on your air fryer.
Step 3: Prepare the Skins
- Carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Slice them in half horizontally and scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl, leaving a thin layer inside the skins. Set the skins aside.
Step 4: Make the Filling
- Mash the potato flesh with the butter, salt, pepper, and half the grated cheese. Stir until well combined, then spoon the mixture back into the potato skins - I fill mine right up to the brim.
Step 5: Add the Toppings
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese and diced bacon over the stuffed potato skins.
Step 6: Air Fry to Finish
- Place the filled potato skins back into the air fryer and cook at 200˚C (400˚F) for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
- Sprinkle the potato skins with chopped chives and serve with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
