Air Fryer Blooming Baked Potato

 

I have never made any secret of the fact that the potato is my favorite vegetable. I could quite happily live without other things, but not my potatoes.  That is why low carb diets never work for me. Eventually I just have to have a potato and you know how that goes, once your toe is dipped into the water, you end up all in.  Sigh  . . . 

I saw this Air Fryer Blooming Baked Potato recipe on a blog called The Daily Yum.  They looked so good. I pinned it right away and decided that today I would make myself one for my lunch.  My daughter is with me and she doesn't like potatoes. As she is at work during the day, I thought I would have one for my lunch and then make something she does like for supper.

 

It is a simple recipe really, that makes use of two kitchen appliances. The microwave and the air fryer. I use my microwave all the time, but I hardly ever use my air fryer.  (I would not be without it however.)

I mostly just use my microwave to heat things up or melt things.  I also poach chicken in the microwave. It is very easily done and they always come out perfect, ready to use in a multitude of other recipes such as casseroles, salads, etc.

 

I have a Kuraidori Air Fryer.  I bought it at my local Home Hardware and I have been very happy with it. I loved mine so much that I got one for my sister as a gift as well. She uses hers much more frequently than I use mine and she loves it.

It came with a rotisserie function. We both find it very easy to use. I highly recommend. I really do need to use it more often than I do!

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE AIR FRYER BLOOMING BAKED POTATOES

Not a lot really, depending on how you choose to garnish them at the end.  Basically just some baking potatoes, seasonings and butter, and then your garnishes.

• 2 medium baking potatoes, well washed and dried
• 2 TBS melted butter
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Suggested toppings:

• dairy sour cream
• crumbled bacon
• chopped spring onions
• grated cheese
• chives
• crispy fried salad onions (such as French's or Durkee's)

 

I used medium sized russet potatoes. They are the best for baking. In the U.K. I would use a Maris Piper or a King Edward. You can of course do any size of potato you wish, bearing in mind that a larger potato will take longer to cook.

You will be making cuts down into the potato in two directions so choosing a potato that rests on a flat bottom is best. That way it won't roll around too much when you are cutting it.

 

You can use oil instead of butter if you wish. I happen to prefer the naturally nuttiness of toasted butter with potatoes. I think its quite lovely.

You can adapt the seasonings you choose to use according to whatever you are going to garnish it with. You could even keep it simple and just use seasoning salt if that is all you have.  OR a Cajun seasoning, Tex Mex,  Greek, or whatever!  You pick whatever floats your boat!

I used a Tex Mex Cheese with mine and then garnished it with some sour cream, bacon bits and crispy salad onions.  It was very yummy!

 

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER BLOOMING BAKED POTATOES

Other than the slicing bit, these are quite simple to make.  I love that they cook up in a fraction of the time that it would take to bake them in a conventional oven. 

Do be sure not to overbake them in the microwave. You know the strength of your own microwave so judge accordingly. It is the same with the air fryer.  Some seem to cook faster than others. I cooked mine in a Kuraidori Air Fryer in the open basket, situated in the center of the air fryer.

Make sure your potatoes are really dry. Using a sharp knife, place them onto a cutting board and cut them (without going all the way through to the bottom of the potato) into lengthwise cuts, 1/3 of an inch apart. Then do the same thing crosswise. You should have 1/3 inch square cuts that go down the width of the potato without going all the way through to the bottom. (You need the base intact to keep the potato together.)

 

Wrap in some paper kitchen toweling and place into the microwave. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes until they yield slightly when gently pressed.

Remove from the microwave.

Mix the salt, pepper and all of the spices/herbs together.

Brush the potatoes all over the top and into the cut surfaces with the melted butter, gently pulling them apart. Sprinkle with the seasoning mix.

Preheat your air fryer to 390*F/195*C. Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket.

Cook at the set temperature for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown with a crispy skin. Some air fryers may take longer, some shorter. (I like to add my cheese for the last minute.)

Serve hot and garnished with your favorite toppings! Enjoy!

These were really delicious and made for an excellent light lunch. They would be great as a side or even as a main depending on what you choose to top them with.  I loved the crispy bits and yet inside they were nice and fluffy!

I enjoyed mine just as a lunch with some sour cream, bacon bits, cheese and crispy fried salad onions on top. If I had had any spring onions I would have added them!  My cheese was a Tex Mex blend so a bit spicy, but not overly so! 

 

If like me you have an air fryer that you are looking to use a lot more often, you might also enjoy these other recipes that I have cooked in my air fryer.  They are good for a lot more than just heating up chips and frozen pizza!

PERFECT AIR FRYER EGGS (HARD OR SOFT) -  If you struggle with getting your hard boiled eggs done the way you want them, you really need to try doing them in the air fryer.  They come out perfect every time. I use it mostly for doing eggs to make deviled eggs or for egg mayonnaise sandwich filling.

AIR FRYER ROAST CHICKEN - Bear in mind that you won't be able to roast just any chicken in the air fryer. It needs to fit into the basket comfortably and none of  the chicken can touch the top of the air fryer, but there is no nicer way of cooking a small roasting chicken. It ends up with a lovely crisp skin and beautiful moist and succulent meat. In my air fryer I can do it rotisserie style which is really yummy!

AIR FRYER TUNA MELT -  Once you try this method of making a tuna melt, you will not want to make it any other way. It is fabulously delicious, with perfectly crisp bread, not soggy in the least. The bread stays true to form, not squished in any way, and it is so light and crisp and buttery that it practically melts in the mouth!  This is tuna melt perfection.  Oh yes, there is a delicious tuna salad and cheese in the sandwich. Its not all about the bread, lol.

Yield: 2

Author: Marie Rayner

Air Fryer Blooming Baked Potato

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min

This is called taking your baked potato up to the next level! Done in the air fryer in a fraction of the time and delicious! You can top with anything you enjoy to eat with baked potatoes!

Ingredients

• 2 medium baking potatoes, well washed and dried
• 2 TBS melted butter
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Suggested toppings:

• dairy sour cream
• crumbled bacon
• chopped spring onions
• grated cheese
• chives
• crispy fried salad onions (such as French's or Durkee's)

Instructions

1. Make sure your potatoes are really dry. Using a sharp knife, place them onto a cutting board and cut them (without going all the way through to the bottom of the potato) into lengthwise cuts, 1/3 of an inch apart. Then do the same thing crosswise. You should have 1/3 inch square cuts that go down the width of the potato without going all the way through to the bottom. (You need the base intact to keep the potato together.)
2. Wrap in some paper kitchen toweling and place into the microwave. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes until they yield slightly when gently pressed.
3. Remove from the microwave.
4. Mix the salt, pepper and all of the spices/herbs together.
5. Brush the potatoes all over the top and into the cut surfaces with the melted butter, gently pulling them apart. Sprinkle with the seasoning mix.
6. Preheat your air fryer to 390*F/195*C. Place the potatoes into the air fryer basket.
7. Cook at the set temperature for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown with a crispy skin. Some air fryers may take longer, some shorter. (I like to add my cheese for the last minute.)
8. Serve hot and garnished with your favorite toppings! Enjoy!

All rights reserved The English Kitchen

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #TheEnglishKitchen

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com 

 Thanks so much for visiting! Do come again! 

 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right hand side of the screen.