Fryer Jojo's: A Quick, Crunchy Treat

Jojos, also known as potato wedges, are thick slices of potatoes that are extra tasty and crispy. They are usually deep-fried, but can also be made in an air fryer or baked in the oven. To make jojos, start by washing and cutting the potatoes into wedges. Next, soak the wedges in cold water to remove excess starch and make them crispier. Then, coat the wedges in a mixture of flour and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Finally, cook the wedges in an air fryer or deep fryer until they are golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or aioli.

Cutting the potatoes

First, wash your potatoes thoroughly. Then, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Next, cut each half into 4-6 wedges, depending on the thickness and shape of your potatoes. Try to keep the wedges as evenly sized as possible.

If you are making traditional jojos, you can skip the next step. However, if you are making air fryer jojos, it is recommended to soak the cut potatoes in cold water for at least 20 minutes to remove excess starch and make the wedges crispier. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel.

Now your potatoes are ready for the next step in your jojo-making journey!

Soaking the potatoes

While the soaking step is optional, it is worth noting that it does enhance the final texture of the jojos. One recipe suggests that soaking the potatoes makes them about 30% crispier, though it may not be a significant difference. However, if you are pressed for time or prefer a softer texture, you can skip the soaking step without compromising the overall taste of your jojos.

Coating the potatoes

Start by preparing the coating mixture. In a large bowl, combine flour with your desired spices and herbs. You can use a basic mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. For extra flavour, add some paprika, cayenne pepper, or seasoned salt. You can also experiment with different seasonings to create unique flavours.

Next, prepare your potatoes. After cutting your potatoes into thick wedges or slices, you have the option to soak them in cold water for about 20 to 30 minutes. Soaking helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier potatoes. However, if you are short on time, you can skip this step as it only makes a slight difference in crispiness. After soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel.

Now it's time to coat the potatoes. Place the potato wedges or slices into the bowl with the coating mixture. Use tongs or your hands to thoroughly coat each piece, ensuring the mixture reaches all nooks and crannies. Make sure every piece is evenly and generously coated.

Once the potatoes are coated, give them a light spray with oil. This step is optional but recommended, as it enhances the crispiness of the exterior and helps the seasonings adhere better. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or a vegetable oil spray.

Finally, place the coated potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This is important to allow proper air circulation so that each piece cooks evenly. If needed, cook the potatoes in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Cooking the potatoes

Wash your potatoes thoroughly. The number of potatoes you need will depend on how many servings you want to make. For two servings, you will need two medium-large russet potatoes. For four servings, you will need four large russet potatoes.

Cut each potato in half lengthwise, then cut each half into four to six wedges, depending on the thickness and shape of the potato. Try to keep the wedges as evenly sized as possible for consistent cooking. Place the cut potatoes into a bowl of cold water and soak for about 20 minutes to remove excess starch and make the wedges crispier.

In a large bowl, combine olive oil or avocado oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also add cayenne pepper and arrowroot powder to the mix. Make sure to coat the potato wedges evenly in this mixture.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F-400°F. Carefully place the seasoned potato wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.

Cook the potato wedges for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the wedges and the model of your air fryer.

Once they are done, remove the jojo potato wedges from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your homemade jojos as a side dish or a snack!

Serving the potatoes

Once your jojos are ready, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down slightly. They are best served hot, so don't let them cool down too much.

Jojo potato wedges are a great side dish to any meal. They can be served with chicken strips, burgers, hot dogs, steak, chicken, pork, or even eggs and bacon for breakfast. They also go well with fried chicken, chicken tenders, ranch, ketchup, and honey mustard. If you're looking for something more substantial, they can be served with sandwiches, burgers, or Italian beef sandwiches.

If you're making these wedges as a snack, they can be enjoyed on their own or with a dipping sauce such as ketchup, ranch dressing, aioli, or honey mustard.

Jojo potato wedges can be enjoyed by everyone, and they are a great way to get your potato fix!

Frequently asked questions