Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Potato Skins made with tender russet potatoes, seasoned with roasted garlic infused oil and garlic pepper seasoning, loaded with melted mild cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, and optionally garnished with green onions and sour cream for a perfect appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 8 small russet potatoes, scrubbed
- 2 tablespoons Roasted Garlic Infused Oil, divided
- 1½ teaspoons Garlic Pepper Seasoning, divided
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese
- ½ pound bacon slices, cooked and crumbled (about 1 cup)
- Sliced green onions, optional for garnish
- Sour cream, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Pierce each scrubbed potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during cooking. Rub or brush the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of roasted garlic infused oil and sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon of garlic pepper seasoning for added flavor.
- Air Fry Potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes in the air fryer basket or on the lowest rack without preheating. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove and allow to cool sufficiently to handle.
- Scoop and Season: Cut each cooled potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh, reserving it for another use such as mashed potatoes. Brush the inside of each potato skin with the remaining 1 tablespoon of roasted garlic infused oil and sprinkle with the remaining ½ teaspoon of garlic pepper seasoning.
- Crisp the Skins: Place the potato skins skin-side down back into the air fryer basket or rack. Air fry at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until the insides are nicely browned and the skins become crisp.
- Add Toppings: Remove the crispy potato skins from the air fryer and evenly top each with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish the potato skins with sliced green onions and a dollop of sour cream. Serve warm as a delicious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Russet potatoes work best for crispy skins due to their starchy texture.
- Do not discard the scooped potato flesh; it can be used to make mashed potatoes or other dishes.
- Adjust garlic pepper seasoning according to your taste preference.
- You can substitute bacon with a vegetarian topping for a vegetarian version but note that the recipe is not marked vegetarian as is.
- Ensure potatoes are cooled enough before handling to avoid burns.
- Air fryer temperatures and timings may vary; check potatoes early to prevent overcooking.
