Salted Potatoes: Fryer-Friendly Or Kitchen Foe?

can one put salted potatoes in a fryer

Salted potatoes are a delicious treat, but can you put them in a fryer? The answer is yes, you can put salted potatoes in a fryer, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the right type of potato. Baby potatoes, fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby russets, and baby red potatoes are all great options as they have thinner skin which is perfect for crisping. Secondly, make sure to season your potatoes properly. Kosher salt is a popular choice, but you can also use regular fine table salt or sea salt. Don't forget to add some pepper too!

If you're using an air fryer, cut your potatoes into water before tossing them with the seasonings. This will help to clean them and prevent them from browning too much. Then, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for around 10 minutes. Shake the basket and stir the potatoes, then cook for an additional 8-10 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.

For a skillet, heat vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes, arranging them in a single layer cut-side down, and season with salt. Cover with a lid and cook until the potatoes are tender and golden brown, which should take about 10-20 minutes. Then, uncover and flip the potatoes to season the other side. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the second side is golden brown.

So, whether you're using an air fryer or a skillet, salted potatoes can be a delicious and crispy treat when prepared properly!

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How to get the perfect crisp?

There are a few ways to get the perfect crisp on your potatoes, whether you're using an air fryer or a skillet. Here are some tips and tricks to achieve the ideal crispiness:

Air Fryer Method:

  • Use the right type of potatoes: Look for “baby” or “new” potatoes, which have thinner skin that crisps up nicely. Examples include fingerlings, Yukon golds, baby russets, and baby red potatoes.
  • Leave the skin on: The skin helps to create a crispy texture, so don't peel your potatoes.
  • Cut potatoes into uniform sizes: This ensures even cooking. Cut them into halves or ½’-¾ inch cubes.
  • Preheat your air fryer: A preheated air fryer at 400°F will help achieve maximum crispiness in less time.
  • Use oil: Toss your potatoes with a coating of oil, such as olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil. This helps to crisp up the potatoes and enhances the flavour.
  • Season generously: Don't be shy with the seasonings! Salt and pepper are a must, and you can also experiment with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, rosemary, or paprika.
  • Cook in a single layer: For maximum crispiness, arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches.
  • Shake or flip the potatoes: During the cooking process, give the air fryer basket a shake or stir to ensure even cooking and browning.
  • Cook until golden and crispy: The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, but aim for a golden and crispy exterior. This usually takes around 10–20 minutes.
  • Add finishing touches: For extra flavour, add a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley before serving.

Skillet Method:

  • Choose the right potatoes: Opt for red or Yukon Gold potatoes for skillet frying.
  • Cut potatoes into chunks: Cut the potatoes into 1-inch wide chunks to ensure even cooking.
  • Use a skillet with a lid: The lid helps to trap steam and cook the potatoes through. If you don't have a lid, you can use a baking sheet to cover the skillet.
  • Heat oil in the skillet: Use vegetable oil or another neutral oil with a high smoking point. Heat the oil until it shimmers.
  • Arrange potatoes in a single layer: Place the potatoes cut-side down in the skillet, ensuring they are in a single layer for even cooking.
  • Cover and cook: Keep the skillet covered during the initial cooking phase. This helps to steam the potatoes and cook them through.
  • Flip the potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender and golden brown on the bottom, use tongs to flip them to another cut side.
  • Increase heat and cook the other side: Turn up the heat to medium-high and cook the second side until it's dark golden brown, which should take 5–10 minutes.
  • Add herbs and butter (optional): For extra flavour, add some fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, and a pat of butter if desired. Toss everything together until the butter is melted and the herbs are fragrant.
  • Check for doneness: The potatoes are done when they are tender and have a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

By following these steps and techniques, you'll be well on your way to achieving the perfect crisp with your salted potatoes, whether you're using an air fryer or a skillet. Enjoy the delicious results!

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What type of potato is best?

When it comes to choosing the best type of potato for frying, it's important to consider the desired cooking technique and the characteristics of different potato varieties. Here's a guide to help you select the most suitable potatoes for frying:

Russet or Idaho Potatoes: Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are a popular choice for frying due to their high starch content. They yield crispy results and are ideal for French fries or hash browns. Russets are also versatile and can be used for baking, roasting, and mashing.

Long White Potatoes: Long white potatoes have a medium starch content, making them suitable for frying, boiling, or baking. They offer a good balance between starchiness and moisture content.

Round Red and Round White Potatoes: These potatoes have less starch and more moisture, making them excellent for boiling. They can also be successfully roasted or fried. Their lower starch content contributes to a softer texture.

New Potatoes: New potatoes, also known as baby potatoes, are firm and waxy with thin skins. They hold their shape well, making them ideal for boiling, roasting, and including in salads. Leaving the skin on when frying contributes to a crispier texture.

Yellow Potatoes (Yukon Gold): Yellow potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, fall into the low- to medium-starch category. They are excellent for roasting, mashing, baked dishes, and soups due to their creamy texture. While they can be fried, they may not yield the same crispiness as higher-starch varieties.

When frying potatoes, it's essential to follow some key steps for optimal results. First, cut the potatoes into the desired shape and size. Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then thoroughly dry them before frying. Additionally, ensure that your oil is hot enough, and consider double frying for crispier results.

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Should you boil potatoes before frying?

Frying potatoes without boiling them first can be tricky. If you don't get it right, you might end up with an undercooked or raw centre, or you might burn the outsides. However, it is possible to get good results without boiling first, and there are several methods you can try.

Air frying

If you're using an air fryer, you can get good results without boiling first. One method is to cut the potatoes, season them, and then cook them in the air fryer at 400°F for around 10 minutes. Then, shake the basket or stir the potatoes and cook for another 8–10 minutes, or until they're golden and tender.

Pan frying

If you're pan-frying, you can try frying at a lower temperature for longer, making sure to use enough oil, butter, or fat. You can also try frying with a lid on the pan for the first part of the cooking time, to steam the potatoes. Another option is to microwave the potatoes for a few minutes before frying, to ensure they're cooked through.

Double frying

One way to ensure crispy potatoes is to fry them twice. First, fry at a lower temperature without browning the potatoes. Then, let them cool completely before frying again at a higher temperature to brown them.

Parboiling

Parboiling the potatoes before frying can help ensure they're cooked through. You can also try boiling, then baking, then frying for "god tier" potatoes.

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How long should you fry them for?

The cooking time for salted potatoes in a fryer will depend on the type of potatoes you are using, the method of preparation, and the desired level of crispiness. Here are some general guidelines:

Pan-Fried Potatoes:

If you are using a skillet or pan to fry your potatoes, the cooking time will typically range from 20 to 30 minutes. Here are the steps you can follow:

  • Slice the potatoes into thin pieces, about ¼” thick.
  • Heat a mixture of vegetable oil and extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the potatoes to the pan and season with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
  • Cook the potatoes undisturbed until they are golden and crispy on one side, which usually takes around 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Flip the potatoes and cook the other side until golden and crispy, which will take another 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until the potatoes are tender. This final step should take around 2 minutes.

Air-Fryer Potatoes:

When using an air fryer, the cooking time for salted potatoes will be around 15 to 20 minutes. Here are the steps:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
  • Cut the potatoes into ½”-¾” inch cubes. You don't need to peel them, but make sure to wash and dry them.
  • Toss the potatoes with olive oil or another oil of your choice in a mixing bowl.
  • Add your desired spices and seasonings to the potatoes.
  • Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer without overlapping. You may need to cook them in batches.
  • Cook the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
  • If desired, add toppings such as Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Deep-Fried Potatoes (French Fries):

For deep-fried potatoes, or French fries, the cooking time will be shorter, around 5 to 6 minutes. Here's how to do it:

  • Peel and slice your potatoes into ¼” inch strips.
  • Soak the potato strips in a sugar solution (a mixture of warm water and sugar) for about 15 minutes. This step helps prevent the potatoes from soaking up too much grease during frying.
  • Remove the potatoes from the solution and dry them thoroughly with paper towels.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer to 375°F.
  • Cook the potatoes in the hot oil until they are golden and crispy.
  • Drain the excess oil using paper towels, and season with salt to taste.

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What should you serve them with?

Salty, crispy fried potatoes are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of mains and accompaniments. Here are some ideas for what to serve them with:

Grilled Meats

Fried potatoes are a classic side for grilled meats, including steak, chicken, and pork. The salty, crispy potatoes provide a great contrast to the juicy, tender proteins. For a vegetarian option, try serving them with grilled vegetables or tofu.

Breakfast

Fried potatoes are also a breakfast staple, often served with eggs, bacon, and sausage. They add a hearty, crunchy element to the morning meal. For a lighter option, pair them with a fresh vegetable frittata or an egg white omelette.

Salads and Vegetables

If you're looking for something a little healthier, fried potatoes pair well with salad greens such as arugula, spinach, kale, or romaine lettuce. You can also serve them with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers. The combination of crispy potatoes and tender veggies is always a winner.

Dips and Sauces

Fried potatoes are also delicious when served with dips and sauces. Try a creamy aioli, sour cream and chive dip, or a spicy sriracha or chili sauce. For a more traditional option, go with ketchup or barbecue sauce.

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

For a more indulgent option, serve your fried potatoes with stuffed baked potatoes. Bake large russet potatoes and stuff them with cheddar cheese, sour cream, chives, and bacon bits. The crunchy fried potatoes provide a nice contrast to the creamy, fluffy stuffed potatoes.

Herbs and Spices

Finally, don't forget to experiment with herbs and spices when serving fried potatoes. Common pairings include garlic, rosemary, thyme, paprika, and Parmesan cheese. These additions can really elevate the dish and make it something special.

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