Air-fried Stuffed Potatoes with Savoury Minced Beef

What can I do with potatoes that’s more exciting than French fries or mash?

This recipe began with that simple question. There they were — a humble bag of baby potatoes leftover from last night’s dinner party, waiting to be transformed. I wanted something that would make my weeknight dinner feel special without requiring a trip to the supermarket. A quick rummage through my fridge revealed a pack of minced beef, shallots, and a carrot.

Got it! Stuffed potatoes!

But I also wanted it quick. The thought came to mind:

Could I use bake the potatoes with an airfryer instead of oven, which would take at least an hour?

Only one way to find out. I did some Googling and tossed my washed potatoes into the air fryer.

While they were cooking, I turned my attention to the filling.

A deeply savoury mince to contrast with the plain potatoes

I lightly oiled a nonstick pan and added the minced beef, not stirring too much so the meat could caramelize properly. Then I added the shallot and carrot, which I sautéed until they softened.

A sprinkle of garlic powder, a dash of Worcestershire sauce for depth, and a pinch of mushroom seasoning brought everything together. Finally, a splash of water to loosen the mixture. I let it simmer until the sauce thickened into a glossy, meaty glaze.

After 20 minutes, I opened my airfryer drawer with bated breath.

So did it work?

I poked a spud with a fork. My taters were perfectly tender.

I almost cried with joy. #byebyeoven

I let them cool just enough to handle before slicing them in the centre and gently prying them apart to make room for the filling. Spoonful by spoonful, I filled the gap with my beef mixture. For creaminess, I added a dollop of yogurt and a spoonful of chopped cherry tomatoes for brightness.

At first bite, I knew this was a keeper. The potatoes were soft and comforting, the beef filling deeply savoury with just the right hint of sweetness from the caramelized vegetables. I had just a bit of extra filling. Which was ok, because it could go straight into the freezer for future meals—a quick pasta sauce, a filling for wraps, or a side dish for rice another time.

Bliss.

These stuffed potatoes are proof that simple ingredients, with some creativity, can transform into a wonderful meal.

Love taters? Head over to my roasted potato salad – another keeper!