These Air Fryer Potato Skins are even better than restaurant skins. Start in the microwave and brush with bacon fat – then the air fryer makes them perfect!
I admit to buying frozen potato skins. But I won’t anymore. These air fryer potato skins are truly perfection. Some recipes make the skins start to finish in the air fryer. I think that makes the outsides too tough. Starting them in the microwave to make them tender is the way to go. Once the middle is scooped out, then the air fryer makes them crispy. And the secret to really flavorful potato skins is brushing the insides with a little bacon fat. Oh my gosh, you have got to try these for yourself!
The secret to perfect Air Fryer Potato Skins
The secret is starting your potatoes in the microwave. I personally prefer Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe. The skins on Yukon Gold’s are more delicate than russet potatoes. Meaning the flavor of the skin won’t take away from the flavor of the filling. Because to me, potato skins are really just the delivery vehicle for the melted cheese, bacon, sour cream and scallions.
How to Air Fry Potato Skins
Once the potatoes are tender from being microwaved, allow them to cool for a bit. Slice them in half and scoop out the insides. I like to save the cooked potato insides for mashed potatoes. Brush the insides of the potato skins with bacon fat. Air fry them empty first. Then fill them with cheese. Air fry again to melt the cheese. Then add bacon, scallions and sour cream. They are a drool-worthy appetizer.
Kitchen Tips
- I use a Philips XXL Air Fryer for all my recipes
- Use a pastry brush for coating the skins with bacon fat
- Click HERE for instructions on how to bake bacon in the oven
- These are about the size of Yukon Gold potatoes I used in this recipe
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Air Fryer Potato Skins
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 Yukon Gold potatoes
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, fat reserved
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup scallions finely sliced
- 1 cup sour cream
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes and pierce each one with a pairing knife. Place the potatoes in a single layer on a large, microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the potatoes with a wet paper towel. Heat on high for 5 minutes. Flip the potatoes. Microwave the potatoes again, for 5 - 7 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Place the potatoes in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to cool. Slice the potatoes in half. Scoop out the insides, reserving the cooked potato for mashed potatoes later. Leave about a 1/4-inch border of potato inside in the skins.
- Brush the insides of the potato skins with the reserved bacon fat.
- Place six of the skins inside the air fryer basket - skin side down.
- Cook for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Open the basket and fill the insides of the skins with the shredded cheddar cheese. Heat again at 400 degrees for 3 - 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Repeat the process with the remaining potato skins.
- Top the cooked potato skins with the cooked bacon, scallions and sour cream to serve. Add salt if needed.
Irina says
As potato lovers, we love your recipe! I made it for our lunch today: it was so yummy and delicious. Many years ago, I would never imagine that one day I could eat potato unpeeled!
foodtasticmom says
Love this. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Biana says
These air fried potato skins look just like the ones I had at a restaurant! Will be definitely making them soon.
foodtasticmom says
The air fryer really does bring ‘going out’ home.
Jennifer says
Yes, using the bacon fat on the skins makes it taste so nice. And they crisped up really well. These were delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Glad to hear this. Thanks Jennifer!
Gabby says
Air fryers are a game changer, aren’t they? Like this recipe! Which was absolutely delicious. It will be on high rotation at our place.
foodtasticmom says
Definitely a game changer. Thanks for the comment and rating.
Bhawana says
Air fryer recipes are perfect to make. I totally love air fryer and keep searching easy recipes. I am glad that I found it today. These air fried potato skins looking absolutely amazing.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you.
Frank says
Besides brushing the inside with bacon grease which will be available from the bacon, good work there Mom, you are the first I blogger I have seen recommend microwaving the potatoes instead of baking or otherwise. That’s how I do it. Works great. So much faster. And, like you said, provides a tender crisp skin instead of a tough to chew crisp skin.
The bacon fat idea…. that’s a keeper. I have some shells ready to go, waiting for my wife to get home and thot I’d peruse some ideas. Well done on the bacon fat and the microwave Mom !!
foodtasticmom says
I am so happy to hear that you like my bacon fat idea. I was pretty impressed with myself to be honest when that popped into my head. My recipe for breakfast potatoes also instructs to microwave the potatoes first. Seems logical to me! I love potatoes in all ways, so I’m always thinking about how to prepare them in the best possible way. Thanks for taking the time to write this review!