Air Fryer Potato Skins

Air Fryer Potato Skins are potato halves that are topped off with cheese, turkey bacon, and creamy chipotle mayo. These are not your average stuffed potato skins, this recipe has an ingredient that most others do not have…barbecue sauce! Make these tater skins for the big game, holiday get togethers, or bbq’s, truly a crowd pleaser!

These air fried potato skins make an incredible appetizer for your guests. I love to serve them alongside our Caprese Salad Skewers and these Bite Sized Pretzels made with this incredible dip.

Homemade Potato Skins

I realize that potato skins are supposed to be more of an appetizer, but do we really need to stick to these nonsensical rules? Who comes up with these rules anyway? I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. These also make an amazing main dish at lunch or dinner time (might as well add breakfast in there, too, ya know since we are already breaking rules). Throw a couple of these bad boys onto a plate along side a giant salad and you have an amazing meal that your family is going to adore.

Mine does anyway. The first time I made these, my husband exclaimed that they were even better than the ones he used to get at one of his favorite restaurants (they always serve them with this creamy chipotle sauce). That is a huge compliment and needless to say, this tater skins recipe is in high demand around my house.

Potato Skins in Air Fryer

I hate to brag on these potato skins (just kidding, I love bragging about them), but they are some of the best potato skins I’ve had. I lighten them up a little turning them into healthy potato skins, well healthy-ish.

When I make these, I don’t like to drown them in cheese and I use turkey bacon (yes, also made in the air fryer) instead of pork bacon. I still like to use full fat sour cream because I just use a little, but you can use reduced fat sour cream or fat free sour cream or switch it out for some Greek yogurt.

What are Potato Skins?

If you have never had a potato skin, I highly recommend you go get yourself some potatoes and try out this recipe as soon as possible. Potato skins are baked potatoes that have been cut in half and made into little boats by scooping out a little of the flesh. Then some toppings and you have yourself an amazing appetizer (or dinner, ha).

Best Potatoes to Use for Potato Skins

My hands down favorite potato to use in this recipe, is the ever versatile Russet (or Idaho) Potato! This potato works so well here because it has a thick skin that makes it optimal to hold all those toppings. It also has a light and fluffy interior which gives each bite an amazing texture.

Is the Skin of a Potato Good for You?

I never liked eating the skin of the potato as a child, but my mom drilled it into me that the skin of the potato is the most nutritious part. I am sure you got a similar spiel. According to Live Strong, it is actually true. The potato peel contains a lot of vitamins and fiber.

You do want to make sure you buy organic potatoes or grow your own. If you can’t find organic, make sure to wash the outside of the potato well.

How to wash potatoes?

If you have really dirty potatoes, soak them in a clean sink of cool water with a cup of vinegar added in. Let soak about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse the potatoes. Scrub each potato well with a vegetable brush under water to get off any additional dirt and remove any eyes. Lay your cleaned potatoes on a clean towel and pat dry. Make sure to only clean potatoes right before you are going to use them.

Can you eat green potatoes?

I am sure you have seen green potato in your lifetime. The potato has a greenish tinge to the skin. These potatoes are toxic and you don’t want to buy them or eat them. Eating green potatoes is technically possible if you are peeling the potato, but it is still not recommended. In this recipe, we need healthy, brown potato skins that can’t be peeled away, so make sure to get healthy potatoes.

Why Using an Air Fryer is the Best Way to make Potato Skins

Not only are these tasty potatoes easy to make, they come together super quickly with the use of the air fryer. I’m not gonna carry on about how much I love my air fryer, you’ve heard it all before. But, it seriously cooks so fast. Which saves me a lot of time, something we don’t have a lot of.

An air fryer doesn’t actually “fry” foods. It is basically a portable convection oven that bakes foods. So it cooks the potato skins so much faster than an oven would. That’s why it is the best way to make the BEST potato skins.

Potato Skins Ingredients

• Potatoes: You will need russet potatoes that have already been baked. I like to make mine in the air fryer before hand.
• Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite brand of bbq sauce.
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese that has been freshly shredded from the block.
• Bacon: I use air fried turkey bacon, it crisps up really well and tastes great. I like that it’s a healthier option to pork bacon, however regular bacon can be used instead.
• Green Onions: These are optional, but green onions add another layer of flavor.
• Sour Cream: I use full fat sour cream, but reduced fat or fat free sour cream or greek yogurt can be used.
• Chipotle Mayo: I use this 5-minute homemade chipotle mayo, it is optional but add amazing flavor. You can also use store bought.

How to Make Potato Skins in Air Fryer

You are going to be eating air fried potatoes in no time with this easy recipe. For more in depth instructions, go to the recipe card below.

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Cut already baked potatoes in half lengthwise (I like this air fryer recipe). Scoop out some of the flesh into a bowl (I like to leave a lot of the potato still intact, but take out as much or as little as you like). Do this for all the potatoes. We won’t be using the extra potato so you can put it away for use in another recipe.
• Brush olive oil onto the tops of the cut side of the potato. Sprinkle on salt and pepper.
• Carefully place the potato halves into the air fryer hollow side up (it’s going to be hot). Cook for 5 minutes to crisp up the top of the potato.
• Open air fryer and spoon in the barbecue sauce to the divot you made in the potato. Sprinkle on cheese and bacon pieces. Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
• Top cooked skins with a little sour cream, chipotle sauce, and sprinkle on green onions.

Potato Skins Tips

• Use small potatoes. I like to buy smaller potatoes so that I can fit more into my air fryer, plus smaller is a better size for an appetizer.
• Making potato skins in advance. These tasty potato skins can be made in advance. All you need to do is assemble them with barbecue sauce, cheese, and air fryer turkey bacon. Put them into an airtight container until you are ready to cook them.
• Scooped out too much potato. If you accidentally scooped too much of the potato out just press some of it back in again.
• Shred your own cheese. Make sure not to use pre-shredded cheese, it contains anti-caking ingredients that don’t allow it to melt well.
• Serving size. This recipe makes 6 halves of potato skins or 3 servings if each person eats 2.

Potato Skins Variations

• Vegetarian & vegan option. It is super easy to make these vegetarian by leaving off the turkey bacon. Or substitute in vegan cheese and cashew cream to make them vegan.
• Potato skin toppings. Some more options for toppings are jalapeños, quick pickled onions, salsa, chili, vegetables, or this sauce.
• Frozen potato skins in air fryer. Extra short on time? Make a lot of these (sans the sour cream and onions) and pop them in the freezer to cook quickly on busy weekdays. Or buy pre-made potato skins. Cook info is below under storage instructions.

Commonly Asked Questions

• What to serve with potato skins? When I make these potato skins for dinner, I like to serve them with a side of vegetables or a salad. If making as an appetizer make with other appetizers such as caprese skewers or pretzel bites.
• Can you freeze potato skins? Yes, potato skins freeze well. Just make sure not to add any of the toppings to the potato skins before freezing them. Freezing instructions are found below under storage instructions.
• What type of air fryer should I use for this recipe? I have a basket type 5.8 quart Cosori Air Fryer. But any air fryer will work, even the oven type.
• Are potato skins healthy? This potato skin recipe is healthier than some options out there. It’s not deep fried, we only use a little cheese, and turkey bacon instead of pork bacon. The actual skin of the potato does have some health benefits.
• What vitamins are in potato skins? Some of the vitamins and minerals that are in the skin of the potato are vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium, potassium, and iron.
• How to use up the extra potato? I like to save the scooped out potato flesh for mashed potatoes, added to potato soup, or just sprinkle on a little salt and pepper and eat it as is.

Storage Instructions

• How to Refrigerate Potato Skins: Let the cooked potato skins cool and put in a glass container or BPA-free airtight plastic container or zipper bag. They should last about 2-3 days in the fridge.
• How to Reheat Potato Skins: Reheat potato skins from the fridge (without sour cream) in the air fryer at 350° for about 5 minutes.
• How to Freeze Potato Skins: After you scoop the flesh out of the potato halves, lay the potatoes on a baking sheet and put into the freezer for an hour or until frozen. Place the potatoes into a resealable bag or freezer safe container (make sure to mark with the recipe name and date). You can also add the cheese and bacon and freeze that way, just do not add sour cream and green onions. Eat within 3 months.
• How to Cook Frozen Potato Skins in Air Fryer: Add the amount of pre-made frozen skins desired into the air fryer and cook at 370° for 5-6 minutes. Air fryer cooking time may vary, cook for an additional minute or 2 until cooked through. Top with sour cream and green onions if desired.

More air fryer recipes!

• Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
• Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Shrimp
• Air Fryer Finger Foods Platter
• Air Fryer Burst Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad

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