Air Fryer Patata Wedges: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious snack, look no further than patata wedges made in an air fryer! This recipe yields golden brown, crispy wedges with a fluffy, tender inside and only requires a few simple ingredients and seasonings of your choice. The best potatoes for this recipe are starchy varieties such as russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. The key to achieving the perfect crispiness is to soak the potato wedges in cold water for about 30 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch. You can then season the wedges with a variety of spices such as paprika, parsley, chili powder, salt, and pepper, or get creative with your own spice blends. The air fryer potato wedges are best cooked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes, with occasional tossing to ensure even cooking. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup or ranch, and enjoy!

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

The best potatoes for air fryer wedges are starchy varieties such as russet potatoes or Yukon Golds. Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, are large, brown-skinned potatoes with a high starch content, making them ideal for frying. They will crisp up beautifully, with a pale golden colour, and their insides will be soft and fluffy. Yukon Golds, on the other hand, have a lower starch and higher sugar content, so they will turn a deeper golden colour and have a slightly softer crisp, but their insides will be creamy and full of flavour. Avoid waxy potatoes like fingerlings, as they won't hold up as well during cooking.

Size

When it comes to size, look for potatoes that are uniform and consistent in size. This will ensure even cooking and browning. Potatoes that are 5 inches or less in length work best for wedges, as longer slices tend to break apart when tossed in the air fryer. If you're using baby potatoes, which are a variety of "new" potatoes that are harvested early, look for thinner skins, which will crisp up nicely.

Freshness and Quality

Always choose firm, fresh potatoes that are free from bruises, sprouting, green discolouration, and soft spots. Check the packaging or the bulk bin for the harvest date to ensure you're getting the freshest potatoes possible. Avoid potatoes that feel light for their size, as this may indicate that they are drying out.

Preparation

Before cooking your patata wedges in the air fryer, there are a few preparation steps to ensure maximum crispiness. First, scrub the potatoes to remove any residual dirt, then cut them into wedges. Soaking the wedges in cold water for 10 minutes or up to overnight will help remove excess starch, resulting in a crispier texture. Be sure to pat them dry thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.

Preparing the potatoes

First, select the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for potato wedges due to their high starch content, which results in fluffy interiors. Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, but they may be denser and smaller in size.

Next, scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt or residue. This ensures that your wedges will be clean and safe to eat.

Now, cut the potatoes into wedges. Start by slicing each potato in half lengthwise, then cut those halves in half lengthwise again to create quarters. Place each quarter cut-side down and cut lengthwise again, making cuts about half an inch apart. You will likely end up with 12 wedges per potato.

Once you have cut all the potatoes, it's time to rinse and soak them. Fill a large bowl with cool water and swish the potatoes around. Drain the water and repeat this process until the water runs clear. This step is crucial as it removes excess starch, ensuring crispier wedges.

After rinsing, pour very hot tap water over the potatoes so that they are covered by at least one inch of water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. This step softens the potatoes, allowing them to cook more evenly.

Spread the potato wedges on a clean towel and pat them dry. It is important to ensure that the potatoes are thoroughly dried before proceeding to the next step.

Now, it's time to season your wedges. Place the dried potatoes in a clean bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder (optional), smoked paprika, and any other desired spices. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.

Your potatoes are now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook the wedges in batches if needed, tossing or turning them occasionally for even cooking.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared potatoes ready for your air fryer, resulting in delicious, crispy potato wedges.

Seasoning the potatoes

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Parsley (optional)
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Onion powder (optional)
• Ranch seasoning (optional)
• Chilli powder (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

• In a large bowl, add the olive oil and spices.
• Add the potato wedges and toss until the potatoes are coated in the oil and seasoning.
• For extra crispiness, let the wedges sit in the mixture for 10 minutes.
• For an extra fancy version, toss the wedges in parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley.

Cooking the potatoes

Preparation

First, scrub your potatoes. Then, slice them into wedges. You can do this by cutting the potatoes in half lengthwise, then cutting those halves in half lengthwise, and then cutting each quarter in half lengthwise. You will likely be cutting each quarter into thirds, giving you 12 wedges per potato.

Place the potato wedges in a large bowl and fill it with cool water. Swish the potatoes around, then pour off the water. Repeat this process once or twice more, until the water runs clear. This removes the excess starch from the potatoes and helps them to crisp up. Once you've rinsed the potatoes, pour very hot tap water over the top so that it covers the potatoes by at least 1 inch. Let them soak for 10 minutes. Do not skip this rinsing and soaking step, or the potatoes will not be as crisp.

Spread the potato wedges onto a clean towel and pat them very dry. Dry out the bowl you used to rinse them, then return the potatoes to the bowl.

Seasoning

Now it's time to season your wedges. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the bowl of potatoes and toss to coat. You can also add other seasonings like chilli powder, Italian seasoning, or smoked paprika.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees F. Add the potato wedges to the air fryer basket. It's okay if they overlap a little.

Air fry the wedges for 10 minutes, then use tongs to gently but thoroughly toss and redistribute them. Continue to air fry at the same temperature for another 5 minutes.

Gently toss and turn the potatoes once more, then increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F. Continue air frying until the wedges are crisp, about 15 minutes more, tossing the potatoes every 5 minutes and checking them fairly often towards the end to ensure they do not burn.

Serving

Transfer the wedges to a serving plate and sprinkle lightly with additional salt. Enjoy immediately.

Storage

Place leftover wedges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. They will lose their crispy texture if warmed up in the microwave, so use the oven, air fryer, or a frying pan to reheat them.

You can also freeze cooked wedges. Once they have cooled, place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat from frozen.

Serving the potatoes

Serving the Potato Wedges

Once your potato wedges are cooked, it's time to serve them. Here are some tips and suggestions for serving these delicious treats:

Dipping Sauces

Potato wedges are often served with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular options include:

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

Main Course Pairings

Potato wedges make a great side dish for a variety of main courses. They go well with:

• Burgers
• Chicken sandwiches
• Steak
• Pork chops
• Chicken salads
• Smoked meat
• Chicken nuggets
• Gluten-free burgers

Garnishes

You can also garnish your potato wedges with various toppings to add extra flavour and texture. Try:

• Dried or fresh parsley
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Paprika
• Sea salt

Storage and Reheating

If you have any leftover potato wedges, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To freeze, place the cooled wedges in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes or until they're warm and crisp.

Frequently asked questions