Prepare the Potatoes: Thoroughly scrub your potatoes under cold running water, removing any dirt. Pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This dryness is paramount for achieving a truly crispy skin.

Prick and Oil: Using a fork, generously prick each potato all over, about 8-10 times. Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes, then rub it in well with your hands until each potato is evenly coated and glistening.

Season Generously: In a small bowl, combine the sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Sprinkle this seasoning mixture all over the oiled potatoes, ensuring a good, even coating. You should see the flecks of seasoning clinging to the oil.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes. You'll hear the fan whirring and feel a gentle warmth emanating from the unit as it comes up to temperature.

First Bake (30 minutes): Carefully place the seasoned potatoes directly into the air fryer basket. Ensure they are in a single layer with some space around each one; overcrowding will hinder crispiness. Close the drawer and cook for 30 minutes. Around the 15-minute mark, you might hear a slight sizzling sound and begin to smell the savoury aroma of roasting potatoes.

Flip and Continue Baking (10-15 minutes): After 30 minutes, carefully open the air fryer drawer. The potatoes should look visibly darker, taking on a lovely golden-brown hue, and feel slightly firm to the touch. Using tongs, flip each potato over. Close the drawer and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the skin is deeply golden brown, wonderfully crisp (you’ll feel a slight give when squeezed gently, indicating a tender interior), and a sharp knife or skewer slides in with very little resistance.

Rest and Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer basket and place them on a cooling rack or plate. Allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the steam to redistribute, resulting in an even fluffier interior. The skins will continue to crisp up slightly during this time. When ready, slice them open, fluff the insides with a fork, add a knob of butter, and pile on your favourite toppings!