Crispy Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potato Bowl
A quick and easy comfort food recipe featuring crispy air-fried russet potatoes loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, and sour cream. Perfect for cozy nights and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 medium russet potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
- Optional toppings: diced jalapeños, chives, crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Wash and peel the russet potatoes (optional to leave skin on). Dice into roughly ½-inch cubes (about 3 cups or 450 grams).
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the diced potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning and prevent sticking. Potatoes should be golden and crisp outside, tender inside.
- While potatoes cook, crisp 4 bacon slices in a skillet or microwave, then crumble. Slice 2 green onions thinly. Shred 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese.
- Transfer the crispy potatoes to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon while potatoes are still hot to allow cheese to melt slightly. Add green onions on top.
- Dollop ½ cup sour cream over the bowl and drizzle 2 tablespoons melted butter if desired. Add any optional toppings like diced jalapeños or crispy fried onions.
- Serve immediately for best texture and enjoy while potatoes remain crispy and cheese gooey.
Notes
If your air fryer basket is small, cook potatoes in batches to avoid overcrowding and sogginess. Shake the basket at least once during cooking for even crisping. For vegetarian or vegan versions, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or sautéed mushrooms and use vegan cheese and dairy-free sour cream alternatives. Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness; avoid microwaving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 15
Keywords: air fryer, loaded baked potato, crispy potatoes, comfort food, quick recipe, easy dinner, cheesy potatoes, bacon, sour cream