Cook Up the Perfect Baked Potato in Only 12 Minutes With This Hack

3 hours ago 2

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As the weather cools down, it's time to trade in the grill for comfort food. Baked potatoes might be simple, but they're a delicious addition to dinner during chillier months. However, waiting on them to cook in the oven can be a real trial, especially on busy weeknights. That's where your air fryer comes in.

With the right prep, the air fryer can deliver steakhouse-quality baked potatoes in a fraction of the time. The skins come out crisp, the insides stay light and soft and you don't have to heat up the entire kitchen to get there. It's a reliable side dish that works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for cookouts or holiday dinners.

Some cooks even combine methods, using a microwave to jump-start the cooking process and then finishing things off in the air fryer for that perfect crunch. Once you try it, you'll see why more people are ditching the old-fashioned oven method.

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My 12-Minute Baked Potato Recipe

What you need

One russet potato
1 teaspoon olive oil or butter
A microwave
An air fryer
Kosher salt for serving

Directions

Step 1: Poke 10 to 12 air holes in the potato using a fork and salt liberally.
Step 2: Microwave the potato on high for 8 to 10 minutes or until it's fork-tender and cooked through.
Step 3: Slice the potato halfway through and toss with melted butter or olive oil. You can also stuff the potato with cheese or bacon bits.
Step 4: Air fry on high, skin side up, for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Flip and cook for another two minutes until desired crispiness is achieved. (If topping with cheese, veggies or bacon, cook skin side down only.)