This Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes is a hearty, indulgent treat. Crispy russet potatoes topped with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, sour cream, and chives make an easy air fryer baked potato recipe—perfect for a quick, fully-loaded dinner that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Pick medium russet potatoes—they bake evenly with crispy skins and fluffy insides; scrub well to remove dirt. Poke deep holes—it prevents bursting and ensures even cooking. Rub oil generously—it crisps the skin perfectly; don’t skimp. Cook bacon separately—it stays crispier than air-frying with the potato. Add cheese and toppings right after baking—they melt and stick best on hot potatoes; preheat the air fryer for faster, crunchier results.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Get ready to dive into a dinner that’s as easy as it is downright drool-worthy with this Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes—it’s an air fryer baked potato recipe superstar and an easy dinner idea that’s about to become your ultimate comfort food go-to! This dish is a hearty, loaded masterpiece: russet potatoes come out of the air fryer with golden, crunchy skins and soft, fluffy insides, then get piled high with gooey melted cheddar, crispy bacon, a dollop of tangy sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh chives for that perfect flavor explosion—all whipped up fast and simple in your air fryer, leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction. It’s the ultimate no-fuss meal—just pop them in, let them crisp up, and enjoy a fully-loaded dinner that feels like a restaurant treat without the hassle, with every bite delivering that irresistible mix of tender potato, melty cheese, smoky bacon, creamy sour cream, and herby freshness. Whether you’re kicking back after a long day, feeding a hungry crew, or just craving a simple recipe that packs a big punch of taste and comfort, this one’s an absolute champ—crisp, loaded, and guaranteed to make every forkful a delightful, stress-free indulgence that keeps you grinning from start to finish!
Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potatoes
Loaded air fryer potatoes with cheese, bacon, sour cream—easy dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gear Up for a Loaded Potato Feast: Alright, let’s dive into this epic dinner adventure—grab your air fryer, a fork, a skillet, a knife, a cutting board, a pastry brush, and a grater if you’re shredding cheese! These loaded baked potatoes are about to make your night hearty and awesome. Picture that cheesy, bacon-y goodness—let’s get rolling with a big, excited grin lighting up our faces!
- Scrub and Prep the Potatoes with Care: Take your 4 medium russet potatoes and give them some love—run them under cold water and scrub them thoroughly with your hands or a brush to wash off any dirt on those skins. Pat them dry with a towel—imagine these spuds getting ready to crisp up and hold all those tasty toppings! Poke each one 6-8 times with a fork, jabbing deep—picture the steam escaping as they cook, keeping them fluffy and safe!
- Oil Up the Spuds for Crispy Skins: Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into a small bowl—dip your pastry brush in and slather it all over each potato, making sure every inch gets a nice, even coat from top to bottom. Sprinkle a generous pinch of salt and pepper over them, rubbing it in—imagine that golden, crunchy skin forming in the air fryer, ready to load up!
- Preheat the Air Fryer for Crisp Magic: Plug in your air fryer—set it to 400°F and let it preheat for 3 minutes, getting that hot air swirling and primed to crisp things up. Picture it working its magic on your potatoes—open the basket and get pumped to load them in, the excitement building as you go!
- Air Fry the Potatoes to Fluffy Perfection: Place your oiled and seasoned potatoes into the air fryer basket—arrange them in a single layer, giving each one some breathing room so they cook evenly. Set the timer for 35-40 minutes—hit start and let them bake, imagining that fluffy interior and crunchy exterior coming together perfectly. Flip them halfway with tongs—around 18 minutes in—picturing that gorgeous, even golden crust forming all around!
- Cook the Bacon to Crispy Heaven: While the potatoes bake, heat your skillet over medium—lay out 4 slices of bacon in a single layer, listening to that sizzle as they hit the pan! Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, flipping with tongs until they’re crispy and golden—imagine that smoky crunch topping your spuds! Drain on paper towels, let them cool, then crumble them with your hands into tasty bits!
- Prep the Toppings for Loaded Bliss: Grab your 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese—if it’s not pre-shredded, grate a block into a fluffy pile with your grater; picture it melting over your hot potatoes! Scoop ½ cup sour cream into a bowl—stir it smooth with a spoon. Chop 2 tablespoons fresh chives on your cutting board—imagine those fresh flecks adding zing to every bite! Set everything aside and feel the anticipation grow!
- Test the Potatoes for Perfect Doneness: When the timer beeps, open the air fryer—grab a fork and poke into one of the potatoes; it should slide in easily, revealing a soft, fluffy inside beneath that crispy skin. If they need more, give them 5 extra minutes—imagine that tender texture ready for all those toppings! Pull them out with tongs and set them on your cutting board!
- Slice and Load with All the Goodies: Take your knife and slice each potato lengthwise down the middle—cut deep but not all the way through, opening them up like a fluffy book to show off that steamy center. Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheddar over each one right away—watch it melt into gooey perfection—then add a tablespoon of crumbled bacon, a dollop of sour cream (about 2 tbsp), and a sprinkle of chives—picture that loaded masterpiece coming together!
- Serve Up Your Loaded Dinner Delight: Plate those fully-loaded potatoes—serve them hot and crispy, savoring every bite of that fluffy potato packed with cheesy, bacon-y, creamy goodness! Pair with a side salad or enjoy them solo—grab a fork and dig in, relishing every tasty, indulgent moment. It’s your air fryer triumph, so enjoy every delicious bite with a big, happy grin lighting up your face!
Notes
- Poke deep—shallow holes might cause bursting, so go all in to keep them intact and cooking right!
- Cook bacon separate—air frying with potatoes softens it, so skillet keeps it crisp and perfect for topping.
- Load hot—cold potatoes won’t melt cheese as well, so add toppings right away for that gooey effect!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 424Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 56mgSodium 557mgCarbohydrates 40gFiber 4gSugar 3gProtein 16g
The recipes and nutritional information on Yum Tonight are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.
Ingredients Notes
Russet potatoes are the hearty base—each medium potato has about 12 grams of carbs and 2 grams of protein, staying light at 130 kcal with a starchy texture that crisps and fluffs. Olive oil crisps the skin—1 tablespoon offers 14 grams of fat and 120 kcal, keeping it healthy and rich. Cheddar cheese melts into gooey goodness—1 ounce brings 7 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein, sharp and savory at 110 kcal. Bacon adds smoky crunch—1 slice has 3 grams of protein and 5 grams of fat, about 54 kcal. Sour cream provides creamy tang—2 tablespoons pack 5 grams of fat and 1 gram of carbs, 60 kcal of cool richness. Chives bring fresh zing—negligible in macros, they’re bright and oniony. Salt and pepper enhance flavors—negligible in macros, they tie it all together.
Variations and Substitutions
Swap russets for sweet potatoes or Yukon golds—sweet potatoes have 25 grams of carbs per medium for a sweeter twist, Yukon golds offer 15 grams with a creamier bite. Sub olive oil with avocado oil or butter—avocado oil matches at 14 grams of fat, butter adds 11 grams with richer flavor. Use mozzarella or pepper jack instead of cheddar—mozzarella (6g fat per oz), pepper jack (7g), for milder or spicier vibes. Replace bacon with turkey bacon or ham—turkey bacon (4g protein per slice), ham (5g), lighter or different savory notes. Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt or ranch—Greek yogurt (4g protein per 2 tbsp), ranch (14g fat), both tangy options. Add green onions or parsley instead of chives—green onions (1g carbs per tbsp), parsley (negligible), for fresh variety.
Storage Options
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days—keep toppings separate to maintain crispy skins! Reheat potatoes in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crunch—microwaving softens them, so air fryer’s best. Freeze plain cooked potatoes (no toppings) for up to 1 month—wrap tightly, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer and add fresh toppings.
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