There’s something deeply comforting about a perfectly baked jacket potato—crispy skin on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. And thanks to the air fryer, you can now enjoy this classic favorite faster and healthier than ever before. Say goodbye to long oven times and soggy microwaved versions—this method gives you that oven-baked texture in less than 40 minutes with minimal oil.
Is a Jacket Potato the Same as a Baked Potato?
Yes — jacket potato and baked potato are essentially the same thing, but the term you use depends on where you are:
“Jacket potato” is the term commonly used in the UK.
“Baked potato” is the more familiar term in the US.
Both refer to a whole potato that’s baked with the skin on, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Why Is It Called a Jacket Potato?
The term "jacket potato" comes from the United Kingdom, where it poetically refers to the potato's crispy baked skin—as if the potato is wearing a "jacket."
Here’s a breakdown of the name’s origin:
"Jacket" symbolizes the outer skin of the potato, which becomes golden and crisp during baking.
Unlike mashed or peeled preparations, jacket potatoes are cooked whole, with their skin on, allowing the skin to act like a natural shell or “jacket” that keeps the inside soft and fluffy.
Is Jacket Potato Healthy?
Yes, a jacket potato can be a healthy meal.
The skin (the "jacket") is packed with fiber, which supports digestion and helps keep you full longer.
Potatoes are a good source of:
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Vitamin B6
- Iron
Keeping the skin on helps retain many of these nutrients.
A plain baked potato has very little fat, especially when cooked without oil or butter.
Potatoes contain complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy—perfect for a balanced diet.
What to Serve with Jacket Potato?
The healthiness of a jacket potato can go down depending on what you put on it. High-fat toppings like:
- Butter
- Cheese
- Sour cream
- Bacon
can add a lot of calories and saturated fat.
How Many Calories in a Jacket Potato?
A plain medium-sized jacket potato (about 200 grams) typically contains around 160 to 180 calories.
This calorie count comes mainly from the potato’s natural carbohydrates, along with small amounts of protein and fiber. The skin contributes fiber and nutrients without adding many calories.
However, the total calories can increase significantly depending on what you add as toppings. For example:
A tablespoon of butter adds about 100 calories
A sprinkle of cheese can add 50–100 calories
Sour cream adds around 60 calories per tablespoon
Beans or chili can add more protein and calories
If you want to keep it light and healthy, enjoy your jacket potato plain or with low-calorie toppings like salsa, Greek yogurt, or steamed veggies.
How to Cook Jacket Potato in Air Fryer
Start by scrubbing your potatoes clean and patting them dry. Use a fork to poke a few holes in each potato to let steam escape while cooking. Rub them lightly with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt for that crispy, seasoned skin.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (392°F) if it doesn’t have auto preheat. Place the potatoes in the basket, making sure they’re not touching. Air fry at 200°C (392°F) for 35–40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes and your air fryer model, so check for doneness by piercing the center with a knife—it should slide in easily.
Once done, carefully remove the potatoes (they’ll be hot!), cut a slit across the top, and fluff the inside with a fork. Add your favorite toppings like butter, cheese, sour cream, or baked beans.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your air fryer jacket potato with:
- Grilled vegetables for a vegetarian lunch
- Chili con carne for a loaded dinner
- Simple butter and a side salad for a light meal
3 helpful tips for making perfect English jacket potatoes:
First, instead of just poking holes like many Americans do to prevent bursting, try slicing a shallow cross about a quarter-inch deep into each potato. This allows steam to escape, helps create a fluffier interior, and makes the potatoes easier to handle when they’re hot.
Second, bake the potatoes longer than you might expect. While many recipes suggest baking at 425°F for about 30 minutes, baking at a slightly lower temperature of 400°F for nearly 40 minutes- 1 hour results in skin that becomes incredibly crisp—almost like a cracker—without burning the potato.
Finally, after the initial bake, take the potatoes out and carefully deepen the cross cuts you made earlier. Then return them to the oven for another 10 minutes. This extra step helps dry out the potato flesh even more, making it wonderfully fluffy inside.
Why the Ciarra Air Fryer is Perfect for Jacket Potatoes
Using the Ciarra 5.3QT Air Fryer makes this recipe even better. Its Max Crisp Technology ensures that the hot air circulates evenly, giving you the ultimate crisp skin without drying out the insides. You can check the potatoes anytime during cooking by pulling out the basket, without resetting the timer.
Cleaning up is also incredibly easy. The nonstick basket rinses clean in under a minute, and everything is dishwasher safe.
Best of all, the Ciarra air fryer offers this premium performance at just $69—a budget-friendly price point that beats many competing brands. With its 8-in-1 presets, including one for “Cake” and others for meats and vegetables, it's versatile enough to handle everything from desserts to full meals.
Can You Reheat a Jacket Potato?
Yes, you can definitely reheat a jacket potato, and the air fryer is one of the best ways to do it!
To reheat, preheat your air fryer to about 180°C (350°F). Place the jacket potato inside and heat for 5 to 8 minutes until warmed through and the skin becomes crispy again. This method keeps the potato fluffy inside while restoring the crispy “jacket” on the outside.
Final Thoughts
Once you try a jacket potato in the air fryer, it’s hard to go back. Crispy, fluffy, customizable, and easy—it’s the kind of recipe that’s just as satisfying as it is simple. Whether you’re new to air frying or a seasoned pro, this dish is a must-try, especially with a Ciarra Air Fryer in your kitchen arsenal.
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