Imagine sinking your teeth into a scrumptious jacket potato in only 30 minutes.
The popular lunchtime go-to, known for its impressive ability to carry you through the day, is as versatile as it gets with the myriad of toppings you can sprinkle on top. But there’s one minor hiccup – it’s notoriously slow to cook. Unless you chuck it in the oven well in advance, you might find yourself out of luck and still hungry by the end of your break.
But now, thanks to a viral TikTok video, our potato prayers have been answered. One savvy woman claims you can whip up a jacket potato in no time at all – just 30 minutes, to be precise. All you need to make the trick work is a microwave and an air fryer, which will help you drastically cut down the time it takes to cook a deliciously crispy potato.
Her advice rapidly caught the attention of the internet as she revealed: “Guys, you’re making jacket potatoes all wrong. Bung them in the microwave for eight and a half minutes, then cover them with oil, add some salt, and then chuck them in the air fryer for 20 minutes.”
She swore by her unconventional method, insisting it produces mouth-watering jacket potatoes with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior in just 30 minutes, rendering traditional oven-cooking obsolete. In the comments, she shared more information about her method, noting that she cooks the potatoes at 200 degrees in the air fryer, with the crucial step of poking holes in them beforehand.
However, viewers’ opinions were divided. Some claimed they’d tried air-frying jacket potatoes only to end up with unappetizing, brick-like results. On the other hand, many fans of the hack sang its praises, citing the significant time and energy savings it offers.
One enthusiastic commenter shared: “I tried these last night, they’re so much better in the air fryer! ” Another devotee added: “That’s how I make them! They are so much nicer this way! Airfryer crisps them up in half the time.”
How to cook a jacket potato in an air fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 200C (400F) for about 3-5 minutes
- Prepare the potatoes: Wash them thoroughly, poke holes all over to allow steam to escape, and rub with a little olive oil for a crispy skin. You can also season with salt and any herbs you require at this stage.
- Cook the potatoes: Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, making sure they have space around them for even cooking. Cook at 200C (400F) for 35-45 minutes and flip them halfway through.
- Check for doneness: After 35 minutes, check the potatoes by piercing them with a knife or fork. They are done when the skin is crispy and the inside is fluffy and soft. If they need more time, cook for another 5-10 minutes.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and carefully slice them open. Fluff the insides with a fork and add your favourite toppings.