These loaded potato skins are seasoned with garlic butter and topped with gooey cheese, for the perfect snack or appetizer. Easy to prep ahead and cook in just 10 minutes before serving!
Crispy Loaded Potato Skins - Because Is There Anything Better?!
I've always loved potato skins. As a kid we would go to this pub/restaurant in Stockholm where they served them, and it was the only place I ever had them, so I thought it was just "their" thing.
Luckily enough, it is NOT. And as an adult I quickly figured out how to make them. And they're still my absolute favorite pub snack/appetizer.
This air fryer version is my favorite - quicker and easier than the oven, and less greasy than deep fat frying.
They also have the perfect blend of flavors and textures in every single bite: cheesy, crispy, garlicky, and topped with a nice creamy sour cream. And as if you needed more reasons to make them... they're the best way to use up those extra baked potatoes in your fridge!
Got Leftover Baked Potatoes? This Is How You Use Them.
Cheese: I like a mexican pre-shredded cheese blend, but any well-melting cheese works, like mozzarella or cheddar. You could also add some parmesan cheese for a fancier version!
Potatoes: I use the baked potatoes I can find, usually there's just one option. But if you have multiple choices a russet potato is great as they hold up well after baking.
Worcestershire sauce: Do add it. It might seem silly since there's so little but a little goes a long way and adds a ton of flavor. If you don't have any they will still come out tasty, though.
Load Them Your Way!
I topped mine with sour cream and scallions, but you can add other toppings as well. Some good options are:
- Bacon Loaded Potato Skins: Add som bacon crumbles as well.
- Buffalo Loaded Potato Skins: Buffalo dipping sauce and chives.
- Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins: Shredded buffalo chicken and blue cheese sauce.
- Vegetarian Potato Skins: Skip the worcestershire sauce and make sure you're using a truly vegetarian cheese.
- Tex-Mex Loaded Potato Skins: Salsa and/or guacamole & sour cream.
- Jalapeño Popper Potato Skins: Bake with cream cheese, cheddar and jalapeños. Top with sour cream.
How to make them
1. Scoop
Cut the baked potatoes into quarters and scoop out most of the flesh. Make sure to leave about ¼ inch so the skin will hold up.
2. Brush
Brush with garlic butter on all sides.
3. Air Fry
Place in the air fryer, top with cheese, and air fry 10 minutes until cheesey is bubbly and golden.
4. Load
Load with whatever toppings you desire!
Expert Tips
Cook in batches if needed. If your air fryer is on the smaller side you might need to cook in batches. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, cook in a single layer and make sure there is room for the air to circulate around.
Prep ahead! You can bake the potatoes 1-2 days in advance, then just cut, brush and bake the skins in 15 minutes just before serving.
Make ahead and eat them cold! This recipe serves them warm, but they're delicious cold too. So you can even make them fully ahead of time (up to 1 day in advance) and just serve them cold.
Cook them skin-side down. This way the skin gets really crispy and nice.
Let your guests load them! Set up a variety of toppings and let your guests load them up as they like. This is always a hit in my house!
Save the potato flesh. It's delicious eaten just as it is or mixed with some of the garlic butter, or add to meatballs as a binder.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If you want to reheat the potato skins later, store them without toppings.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing leftovers as it destroys the texture.
Leftovers: Leftovers can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Reheating in air fryer: Air fry skin-side down for 3-5 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments, until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
More Quick & Easy Air Fryer Recipes
More Quick & Easy Appetizers & Snacks
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Crispy Loaded Air Fryer Potato Skins
Print RateIngredients
Baked potatoes
- 2 baking potatoes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Potato Skins
- 2 tablespoon salted butter or unsalted plus a pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 squeeze lemon juice
- ¾ cup shredded cheese
To serve
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoon scallions chopped
Instructions
Baked potatoes (air fryer method)
- Preheat the air fryer to 350℉ (180℃).2 baking potatoes
- Prick a few holes in the potatoes. Then coat with olive oil and salt.1 tsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt
- Place potatoes in air fryer basket and air fry 30 mintues at 350℉ (180℃), then flip the and air fry 20 minutes more, until fork tender. Allow to cool enough to handle.
Potato skins
- Cut the potatoes in quarters and scoop out most of the potato, leaving the skin with about ¼ inch (0.5 cm) of potato.
- Melt butter and mix with salt, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and a squeeze of lemon juice.2 Tbsp salted butter, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 squeeze lemon juice, ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Brush all sides of the potato skins with the garlic butter, then place with the skins down in an air fryer basket. Top with shredded cheese.¾ cup shredded cheese
- Air fry 10 minutes at 350℉ (180℃), until cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve topped with sour cream and chopped scallions.½ cup sour cream, 3 Tbsp scallions
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
- Pastry brush* (optional)
- Small bowl
Video
Notes
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If you want to reheat the potato skins later, store them without toppings. Freezing: I do not recommend freezing leftovers as it destroys the texture. Leftovers: Leftovers can be enjoyed hot or cold. Reheating in air fryer: Air fry skin-side down for 3-5 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly. Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments, until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Maria Cortes
LOOK GREAT., AND REALLY GOOD. TANK YOU.