Air Fryer Wedges: Crispy, Homemade, And Healthy!

Making homemade wedges in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a tasty appetizer, side dish, or snack. The process is simple: cut potatoes into wedges, soak them in cold water to make them crispier, pat them dry, season, and then cook in the air fryer for 10–15 minutes. The result is a delicious, healthier alternative to deep-fried wedges that can be made in no time at all.

Choosing the right potato

The type of potato you use will determine the texture and taste of your wedges. For air-fried wedges, it is best to opt for a starchy variety, such as russet potatoes or Yukon Golds. These potatoes have a higher starch content, which will give you extra-fluffy interiors, and they crisp up beautifully.

On the other hand, waxy potatoes with thin skins, such as fingerlings, are best avoided as they won't hold up well during cooking. If you're in the UK, King Edward potatoes are a good option, and if you're in Australia, Dutch Cream is a good all-around choice.

When selecting your potatoes, look for those that are around 5 inches or less in length. Longer potatoes tend to break apart when tossed in the air fryer.

For the best results, it is also recommended to soak your potato wedges in cold water for about 30 minutes before cooking. This will help to remove excess starch, ensuring crispier wedges.

Preparing the potato

First, select the right type of potato. Russet potatoes are the best option for wedges as they have a higher starch content, which makes for a fluffier interior. They also crisp up beautifully. Other types of potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, can be used, but the result won't be as crispy.

Once you have your potatoes, give them a good scrub to remove any dirt. You can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but it's not necessary. In fact, leaving the peels on can add a nice rustic texture and flavour, as well as extra fibre and vitamins.

Next, cut the potatoes into wedges. To do this, first cut the potato in half lengthwise. Then, cut each half into quarters by placing the cut side down onto the cutting board and slicing it in half again. Finally, place each potato quarter cut side up and cut down the centre to create wedges. The number of wedges you get will depend on the size of the potato, but you should aim for wedges that are about 0.5 inches thick.

Once your potatoes are cut, it's time to soak them. Soaking the potatoes is an important step to ensure they get nice and crispy. Place the wedges in a large bowl of cold water and add a couple of cups of ice cubes. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels.

Now it's time to season the potatoes. Place the wedges in a large bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss the wedges until they are evenly coated in the seasoning mixture.

Your potatoes are now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F and add the wedges in a single layer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing the wedges every 5 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wedges in batches.

Seasoning

The seasoning is what takes your homemade wedges to the next level. You can use a variety of spices and herbs to create different flavour profiles. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury Mixture

A savoury mixture of paprika, parsley, chilli, salt, and pepper is a good base. You can also add cayenne pepper for an extra kick or rosemary for an earthy flavour.

Greek-inspired

Add Greek-inspired flavours like lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Sprinkle with feta cheese when the wedges come out of the air fryer.

Italian Herbs

For an Italian twist, use dried basil, oregano, garlic, and red pepper flakes with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Fresh Spring Herbs

Toss the cooked wedges with salt, pepper, dill, and chives for a fresh and light flavour.

Chile-Lime

Make a zesty combination by tossing the wedges with fresh lime juice, chipotle pepper, salt, and a dash of cayenne.

Taco

Try a taco seasoning mix with chilli powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano.

Cajun

Add a spicy kick with Cajun seasoning, but be sure to reduce the salt as Cajun seasoning usually includes it.

Truffle

For a fancy touch, use truffle salt and add freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Ranch

Create a ranch-style flavour with onion powder, garlic powder, and dried dill.

Parmesan

For a cheesy twist, toss the wedges with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley after air frying.

Jerk Seasoning

Try a Caribbean-inspired flavour with jerk-seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper.

Salt and Pepper

Of course, you can always keep it classic with just salt and pepper.

Cooking

Ingredients

To make homemade wedges in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized russet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Method

First, scrub your potatoes. Then, slice them into wedges. You can do this by cutting the potatoes in half lengthwise, then cutting those halves into quarters, and then cutting each quarter down the centre to create wedges.

Place the wedges into a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes. This will help to remove excess starch and create crispier potatoes.

Next, dry the potatoes using paper towels. Place them in a clean bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can also add cayenne pepper for a little heat if you like.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned potato wedges in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes until they are golden brown. It is ok if they are not in a single layer, but you don't want to overcrowd the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wedges in batches.

Your homemade wedges are now ready to be served! They can be enjoyed as a side dish, appetizer, or snack.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer potato wedges are a versatile side dish, snack, or appetizer. They can be served with a variety of dips and sauces, such as:

• Ketchup
• Sour cream
• Ranch dressing
• Aioli
• Barbecue sauce
• Greek yogurt ranch dip
• Vegan queso
• Sugar-free ketchup
• Sugar-free BBQ sauce
• Big Mac sauce
• Spicy mayo
• Pesto
• Fry sauce

They also pair well with a variety of mains, including:

• Steak
• Burgers
• Chicken
• Schnitzel
• Breaded fish
• Pork chops
• Smothered pork chops
• Stuffed pork chops
• Spicy chicken sandwiches

Frequently asked questions