Potatoes - Baked - Various Methods

Air Fryer Method

This may be my new favorite way to bake potatoes!  It's very easy.  It uses no fool.  But best of all, the outside is slightly crispy without being inedible.  YUM!!!

Rub potatoes with olive oil.

Season potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder and parsley to taste.

Place in air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes (depending on size of potatoes).

Source: Bitz and Giggles

Crock Pot Method

Scrub the potatoes and dry completely. 

Place each potato on a plat piece of foil large enough to wrap around the potato completely. 

Prick the potato all over with a fork, then place it in the center of the foil. 

Drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Rub the salt and oil over the surface of the potato.  The oil makes the skins nice and crispy, but if avoiding oil, you can skip this step!

Wrap tightly with the foil sheet. Place in your slow cooker - no water necessary.

Cook the potatoes on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 8 to 10 hours, until soft. Smaller potatoes may need less cooking time. Many seem to think 8 hours is fine for all sizes.   Do not overcook, or the potatoes may become soggy.  

Without Foil

Wash and dry the potatoes and put them right in the crock pot. Drizzle the potatoes with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle some salt over the top. Don’t worry about pricking each potato with a fork either. Since they cook so slowly, you don’t really need to worry about it at all.

Crispy Skins

If you'd like a crispier skin, potatoes can be grilled or broiled for a couple minutes before serving!

BAKED in the OVEN

Baked potatoes are rather basic.  There are a number of ways to make them and it's pretty hard to mess them up completely.  Many people rub oil on them, then sprinkle with salt, and bake at a high temp.  That gives them a crispy, flavorful skin, but also makes them unhealthy, even more so since oil at high temps = carcinogenic.

Here's the simple, oil free technique.  It's a little less crispy, but way better for you.  The flavorful part is not a problem, because toppings will add flavor!

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
   
2. Choose the potatoes.  Russet potatoes are best for baking, but others can be used.   Try to choose potatoes that are about the same size so they will cook the same amount of time.
   
3. Prepare the potatoes.  Wash them.  Cut out any eyes or bad spots.  Use a fork to poke holes all over.  That helps them cook more evenly and prevents them from possibly exploding and making a mess in the oven.
   
4. Do NOT cover with foil.  The foil method steams, rather than bakes the potatoes.  Foil cooked potatoes are more watery and dense.
   
5. Put the potatoes in the oven.  Place them directly on the rack in the center of the oven.  They should not be touching.
   
6. Bake them for 50-70 minutes, depending on the size.

TOPPING IDEAS

• salsa
• green onions
• dressing
• sautéed mushrooms and onions
• broiled veggies 
• broccoli
• tomatoes
• fresh chopped herbs - parsley, cilantro, etc
• avocado
• hummus
• baked beans
• chili

Apple Crisps - Air Fried

Recipe Inspiration Source:  Williams Sonoma

I forgot to take a photo after they cooked.
I scarfed them down!

• 1 apple, peeled, cored and thinly sliced horizontally
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 Tbs. sugar
• Pinch of kosher salt

Preheat air fryer to 390°.

In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon, sugar and salt. Rub all sides of apple slices in the mix.

Working in batches, place the apple slices in the fry basket and insert into the air fryer. Cook until the slices are slightly golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes, turning them over halfway through cooking.  6 to 7 minutes means they are still moist, a bit like baked apples.  

Hmmmmmm...  I need to explore more recipes.  I'm wondering how it would be to add in some oatmeal and create sort of a batter for each slice.  That's not necessary because these were good as is and quite simple.  I'm only thinking of experimenting for variety.