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How to Cook Frozen Potato Skins in the Air Fryer

By Rachel
July 28, 2024

Want to know how to cook frozen potato skins in the air fryer so they turn out perfect? It’s super easy! Take your favorite loaded frozen potato skins and air fry until warm and bubbly. They get a nice crust on them in the air fryer, keeping the inside nice and fluffy but the outside a bite crispy. Top with sour cream, guacamole, green onions, or any of your favorite toppings!

cooked frozen potato skins on a tray with guacamole, sour cream, green onions, and fresh thyme.

I always prefer to make things homemade, especially appetizers as they can be so fun to make! But sometimes time is of the essence and you have to live in the real world. Its’ nice to have shortcuts in your back pocket and these frozen potato skins are just that!

Top with you favorite dips and sauces and some fresh herbs or chopped bacon and you have a pre-made appetizer that feels homemade! Frozen potato skin turn out super crispy in the air fryer, better than in the oven.

If you’re looking for some other apps made from shortcut frozen food check out these Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds, Alexia Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer, or Birds Eye Frozen Cauliflower Wings in the Air Fryer!

Highlights of this air fryer appetizer recipe and why you’ll love it:

  • Quick and easy: these couldn’t be easier! They take just 15 minutes in the air fryer and
  • Crisp texture: these are crispy and crunchy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside. The cheese on top get’s bubbly and gooey.
  • Easy for game day: these are great for game days as they don’t take much time and they are a satisfying snack and delicious, they are also something that most people will enjoy! Great for football season.
  • Great party appetizer: these are great on a appetizer platter along with other finger foods like French fries, chicken wings, mini corn dogs, or cheese curds. Add different dipping sauces and toppings for a fun spread or appetizer tray.
potato skins on a baking stone with toppings

Tips and tricks for perfect potato skins:

  • Don’t thaw the loaded potato skins prior to air frying.
  • Fix toppings if they are falling off the sides. This can be done during cooking as the mixture starts to thaw. You want the cheese and bacon on top of the potato not in the bottom of the air fryer!
  • Don’t overcrowd potato skins, leave in a single layer.
  • Add time as needed if you potato skins are not crispy enough. Start with less time and add more as needed so these don’t burn.
  • Don’t flip unlike most air fryer recipes, these don’t need to be flipped halfway through.

Tools I used for this air fryer recipe:

  • Glasslock Glass Food Storage Containers – the square containers are the perfect size for lunches, stain proof, and they are dishwasher safe. Great air-tight container for storing leftovers or meal prep!
  • Tongs – a must have kitchen tool! I love these for flipping things in the air fryer. They are stainless steel and clean up super easy.
  • Instant 6 qt. Air Fryer – Sleek and functional, the perfect size for 2-3 people. I like this because it has a tray in the bottom which make cleaning easy and it allows for air to circulate evenly. It has a large tray so you don’t have to do so many batches and a window to see into the air fryer while cooking!

How to Cook Frozen Potato Skins in the Air Fryer (with step by step instructions):

Let’s talk a little about the best way to make these frozen potato skins (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

  • Add frozen potato skins to the basket of an air fryer.
  • Bake until golden brown.
  • Serve immediately with toppings.

1: Gather your favorite brands of frozen potato skins. I used both tgi Friday’s potato skins and Aldi brands.

3: Layer frozen, unthawed potato skins in a single layer in the air fryer tray.

4: Air fry for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

5: Serve immediately topped with favorite toppings and dips!

What are potato skins?

Potato skins are a popular appetizer made from the skin of the baked potato. Similar to a twice baked potato, the inside of the potato is scooped out (used for mashed potatoes or something similar) and filled with toppings like melty cheese, bacon, and sour cream.

Then baked again and broiled until the cheese is gooey and the skins are crispy and golden brown. These go great with fresh guacamole, sour cream, ranch, or a spicy aioli.

Ingredients & Ingredient Notes:

  • Frozen loaded potato skins: any brand and flavor of potato skins will work for this recipe! Whatever your grocery store has will work.
  • Toppings & dipping sauce: see topping ideas below for inspiration! I like fresh herbs and a cool sour cream or guacamole.
crispy air fried potato skins with guacamole and sour cream

I like some fresh cracked black pepper on top of my potatoes! These could also make a good quick snack or main meal. Air-fried potato skins will be your new go to easy appetizer! I like to stock up on boxes of potato skins so I have a quick app on hand at all times!

If you liked this post on How to Cook Frozen Potato Skins in the Air Fryer, you’ll love these other easy air fryer recipes…

Birds Eye Frozen Cauliflower Wings in the Air Fryer

40 Easy Air Fryer Appetizers for Super Bowl Sunday

Air Fryer New York Frozen Garlic Knots Recipe

How to Make Fluffy Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer

How to Cook Frozen Spring Rolls in the Air Fryer

Easy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Bites Recipe

Recipe FAQ’s:

Do I need to coat the air fryer basket with oil before cooking?

You do not need to, but to be safe you can spray a coating of cooking spray or olive oil spray on the bottom of the basket to eliminate the chance the the bottom of the skins stick.

What brand of frozen potato skins should I use?

For this recipe I used TGI Fridays and Aldi brand potato skins but any brand or flavor would work.

How do you reheat leftover potato skins?

To reheat cooked potato skins, heat air fryer to 350 degrees F and cook for 6-8 minutes until warmed through.

How long should I put frozen potato skins in the air fryer?

Frozen potato skins take 12-15 minutes in the air fryer. Start with less time and add more as needed.

Can I double or triple this recipe?

Yes! If needed cook in batches, and keep warm in a 200 degree F oven.

loaded potato skins topped with guacamole and sour cream with fresh herbs

Topping ideas for the Crispy Potato Skins:

These can elevate your frozen store-bought potato skins!

  • Green onion or fresh herbs like thyme and oregano
  • Extra shredded cheese
  • Ranch dressing
  • Bacon bits or spicy sausage crumbles
  • Guacamole or a dollop of sour cream
  • Pico de Gallo or salsa
How to Cook Frozen Potato Skins in the Air Fryer

How to Cook Frozen Potato Skins in the Air Fryer

Frozen loaded potato skins air fried until crispy and topped with your favorite toppings!
By: The Hearty Life
Servings:2 servings
Prep Time:0 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:15 minutes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2, 8.5 oz. packages Frozen loaded potato skins
  • Toppings of choice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat air fryer to 360°F and arrange frozen potato skins in a single layer in air fryer basket or rack.
  • Heat potato skins for 12-15 minutes. Serve immediately with toppings of choice.

Notes

*If desired, spray air fryer basket with cooking spray so skins don’t stick.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 304kcalProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 100mgPotassium: 214mgVitamin A: 201IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
Author: The Hearty Life
Calories: 304kcal
Cost: $
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer Recipes, Appetizers, Game Day Snack, Potato Skins, Potatoes, Short Cut Recipe

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @theheartylife on Instagram and hashtag it #theheartylife.

potato skins scattered on a tray with guacamole and sour cream and bottles of beer

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