Ninja Foodi Baked Potato (Crispy Skin and Fluffy Inside)

A Ninja Foodi baked potato gives you the best of both cooking methods: a soft, fluffy centre from pressure cooking and beautifully crisp skin from air frying.

This is my favourite way to make jacket potatoes in the Ninja Foodi. Rather than waiting for them to cook entirely in the oven or air fryer, the pressure cooker gets the potato tender first. A short spell using the air fryer function finishes the skin.

You need just four ingredients and around 35-40 minutes of cooking time, excluding the time needed for the Foodi to come up to pressure. It is a straightforward way to make jacket potatoes for lunch or dinner.

Jump to:

• Recipe Snapshot
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• The Best Potatoes for Baked Potatoes
• Ingredients
• How to Make a Baked Potato in the Ninja Foodi
• What to Serve with Baked Potatoes
• 3 Ways to Make a Baked Potato in the Ninja Foodi
• Tips for the Best Ninja Foodi Baked Potato
• A Delicious Variation: Ninja Foodi Potato Skins
• Can You Make More Than One Potato?
• Storage and Reheating
• Frequently Asked Questions
• MORE POTATO RECIPES:
• 📖 Recipe

Recipe Snapshot

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 35-40 minutes, plus time to come to pressure

Servings: 4

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: British, American

Cooking Method: Pressure cook and air fry

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Fluffy inside, crispy outside - Pressure cooking softens the potato, while air frying gives the skin time to crisp up.

Quicker than a traditional baked potato - You don't need to wait an hour for the potato to cook through in the oven.

Simple ingredients - Potatoes, water, coarse salt and a little oil are all you need.

Easy to adapt - Make them for a simple lunch or add your favourite toppings to turn them into a more substantial meal.

The Best Potatoes for Baked Potatoes

The type of potato makes a difference to the final texture.

In the UK, I recommend:

• Maris Piper - A good all-rounder with a fluffy texture.
• King Edward - A floury potato that works particularly well for baking.
• Desiree - Another option that gives you a soft interior.

In the US, Russet potatoes are the most popular choice for baked potatoes. They have a high starch content and become lovely and fluffy when cooked.

Try to use potatoes that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Very large potatoes may need a little extra pressure-cooking time.

You can also use this method for sweet potatoes, but they generally cook more quickly, so check them earlier.

Ingredients

Potatoes - Use four large Maris Piper, King Edward or Desiree potatoes. Russet potatoes are a good choice in the US. Scrub them well and leave the skin on.

Water - You need 375ml water in the inner pot to create the steam required for pressure cooking. The potatoes sit on the trivet rather than directly in the water.

Coarse salt - I use coarse sea salt to coat the outside of the potatoes. It helps season the skin. Some salt will fall away during cooking, so you don't need to worry about every grain sticking.

Oil spray - A light coating of oil before air frying helps the skin crisp up. Use a neutral oil suitable for high temperatures.

How to Make a Baked Potato in the Ninja Foodi

The method uses both the pressure cooker and air fryer functions. You will need the pressure cooker lid for the first part and the air fryer lid for the second, depending on your Ninja Foodi model.

Step 1 - Add the water and trivet

Pour 375ml water into the inner pot of the Ninja Foodi. Place the trivet inside.

Step 2 - Prepare the potatoes

Wash and scrub the potatoes. Pierce each one all over with a fork. This allows steam to escape as they cook.

Step 3 - Season

Place the coarse salt on a plate and roll each potato in it to coat the skin.

Step 4 - Pressure cook

Place the potatoes on the trivet. Close the pressure cooker lid, set the valve to seal and select Pressure Cook on High for 20 minutes.

Step 5 - Release the pressure

Once the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure according to your model's instructions. Open the lid once the pressure has fully released.

Remove the potatoes and carefully drain the water from the inner pot.

Step 6 - Air fry

Lightly spray the potatoes with oil. Return them to the Foodi and select Air Fry at 200°C for 10-15 minutes, until the skins are crisp.

Step 7 - Serve

Cut a slit along the top of each potato, gently fluff the inside with a fork and add your favourite toppings.

What to Serve with Baked Potatoes

I like to keep jacket potato fillings fairly simple, but there are plenty of options.

• Butter, salt and black pepper
• Sour cream and chives
• Grated cheese and baked beans
• Tuna mayonnaise
• Chilli con carne
• Chicken curry
• Spring onions and mature cheddar

You could also put out a selection of toppings and let everyone make their own.

3 Ways to Make a Baked Potato in the Ninja Foodi

There are three ways to cook a baked potato in the Ninja Foodi:

Pressure Cook and Air Fry - This is my preferred method. Pressure cooking gives you a fluffy centre, and air frying crisps the skin.

Air Fry Only - This works too, but takes longer. The skin becomes crisp, although the inside may not be quite as fluffy as with the combination method.

Pressure Cook Only - This gives you a soft, fluffy potato, but the skin will not have the same crisp texture.

If you want the closest result to a traditional jacket potato with a fluffy centre and crisp skin, I recommend using both functions.

Tips for the Best Ninja Foodi Baked Potato

Choose similar-sized potatoes - This helps them cook at the same rate. If one potato is considerably larger than the others, it may need more time.

Pierce the potatoes - Use a fork to prick the skin all over before pressure cooking.

Use coarse salt - I prefer coarse sea salt for the outside of the potatoes. You can brush off any excess after cooking.

Use a high-smoke-point oil - Vegetable, sunflower or avocado oil are all suitable for air frying.

Don't skip the air frying stage - Pressure cooking alone won't give you crispy skin. The final 10-15 minutes make a difference.

Make a slit straight away - Once the potatoes are cooked, cut a slit along the top and open them up. This lets steam escape and helps prevent the skin from softening as quickly.

Check for doneness - Cooking times vary depending on the size and variety of the potatoes. If they are not tender after pressure cooking, give them a little longer before moving on to the air fryer stage.

A Delicious Variation: Ninja Foodi Potato Skins

You can turn these baked potatoes into loaded potato skins.

Once cooked, cut each potato in half lengthways. Scoop out some of the middle, leaving a little potato around the edges so the skin holds its shape.

Mash the scooped-out potato with your favourite filling. I like sour cream and chives. Spoon the mixture back into the skins and return them to the Ninja Foodi.

Air fry for a further 10 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the edges are crisp.

Can You Make More Than One Potato?

Yes. You can cook up to five potatoes at a time, depending on their size and how comfortably they fit in your Ninja Foodi.

Make sure they sit on the trivet without being packed tightly together. The cooking time can remain the same when using potatoes of a similar size, but larger potatoes may need longer.

Storage and Reheating

Jacket potatoes are best eaten freshly cooked, when the skin is at its crispest.

If you have leftovers, allow the potatoes to cool and refrigerate them in an airtight container within 1-2 hours. They will keep for up to two days.

To reheat, use the air fryer at around 180°C until heated through. This will help bring some crispness back to the skin. You can also reheat them in the microwave, although the skin will be softer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make baked potatoes in a Ninja Foodi?

Yes. You can use the pressure cooker function, the air fryer function or a combination of both. I prefer pressure cooking first and then air frying to get a fluffy centre and crisp skin.

How long does it take to cook a baked potato in the Ninja Foodi?

This recipe takes 20 minutes on High Pressure, followed by 10-15 minutes using the Air Fry function at 200°C. Allow extra time for the Foodi to come up to pressure.

Do I need to wrap the potatoes in foil?

No. Leave the potatoes uncovered. Wrapping them in foil traps moisture and won't help you achieve crisp skin.

Why are my Ninja Foodi baked potatoes not crispy?

They may need a little longer in the Air Fry function. Make sure you drain the water from the inner pot after pressure cooking, lightly coat the potatoes with oil and air fry at 200°C until the skin is crisp.

Can I cook sweet potatoes in the Ninja Foodi?

Yes. You can use the same general method, but sweet potatoes usually cook more quickly. Check them regularly and adjust the cooking time according to their size.

Can I cook five baked potatoes at once?

Yes, provided they fit comfortably on the trivet. Use potatoes of a similar size and avoid overcrowding. Larger potatoes may need additional cooking time.

Can I make Ninja Foodi baked potatoes without pressure cooking?

Yes. You can use the Air Fry function on its own, but it will take longer. The combination method is my preference because it gives you a fluffy centre in less time.

MORE POTATO RECIPES:

Did you make this recipe?

Rate and Leave a comment
i'd love to hear about it! did you try any variations? if you loved this recipe/tried any variations/have some top tips, please leave a star rating and comment below. Your reviews make our day and your tips help others to find our recipes and enjoy them too!
 you can also follow us on instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest recipes.

📖 Recipe