Air Fryer Potato Wedge Fries: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

If you're craving crispy, golden-brown potato wedges that are fluffy and tender on the inside, then it's time to break out your air fryer! This handy kitchen appliance is the key to achieving the perfect texture for your potato wedges without the need for excess oil or a lengthy cooking time. With a simple combination of potatoes, oil, and seasonings, you can create a delicious side dish or snack that will impress your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

Choosing the right potato

Potato Variety

Starchy potatoes, such as russet potatoes, are the best choice for air fryer wedges. Their higher starch content results in fluffy interiors, and they crisp up beautifully. On the other hand, avoid waxy potatoes like fingerlings, as they won't hold up as well during the cooking process. Yukon Gold potatoes are denser and will yield a different texture, but can still be used.

Size

Opt for potatoes that are 5 inches or less in length. Longer potato wedges tend to break apart when tossed in the air fryer, so keeping them on the smaller side will ensure they stay intact.

Skin

Leaving the skin on adds a nice, rustic texture and flavour to your wedges. It also boosts the nutritional value by providing fibre, vitamin C, B vitamins, and iron. However, if you prefer, you can peel the potatoes before cutting them into wedges.

Soaking

While not mandatory, soaking the potato wedges in cold water for about 30 minutes can help remove excess starch and result in crispier wedges. Make sure to dry them thoroughly before adding oil and seasonings.

Cutting Technique

For even cooking, cut the potatoes into evenly sized wedges. Start by cutting each potato lengthwise into halves, and then cut each half into three or four wedges, depending on the size of the potato. This will ensure that all the wedges cook at the same rate in the air fryer.

By choosing the right type of potato, considering their size and skin, and following the appropriate cutting and soaking techniques, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy air-fried potato wedges.

Preparing the potato wedges

Selecting and Cutting the Potatoes:

Start by choosing the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are ideal for air fryer wedges as they get soft and fluffy in the centre, while also crisping up nicely. Alternatively, you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, but they may not yield the same level of crispiness.

Once you've selected your potatoes, it's time to cut them into wedges. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Slice the potato in half lengthwise.
• Cut each half into halves or quarters lengthwise, depending on your desired thickness.
• Place each section cut-side up and cut down the centre to create wedges.
• Repeat this process until you've cut the entire potato into wedges.

Soaking the Potatoes:

Before cooking, it's recommended to soak the potato wedges in cold water for about 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, ensuring crispier wedges. You can also add ice cubes to the water for even better results. After soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

Seasoning the Potatoes:

Place the potato wedges in a large bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of spices, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profile. Mix the potatoes and seasonings until they are well coated.

Cooking the Wedges in the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350-400°F (180-200°C). Place the seasoned potato wedges into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Cook the wedges for about 10 minutes, then use tongs to gently toss and redistribute them. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

For even crispier wedges, increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 15 minutes, tossing the potatoes every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

Seasoning the wedges

The fun part about making potato wedges is that you can get creative with the seasoning. You can stick to a simple seasoning of salt and pepper, or you can experiment with different herbs and spices to find your favourite flavour combination. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury Seasoning

For a savoury twist, mix together paprika, parsley, chilli powder, salt, and pepper. Play around with the quantities of each spice to find your preferred balance of flavours. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add cayenne pepper or rosemary for an extra kick.

Cheesy Wedges

If you're a cheese lover, try tossing your wedges with some grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley after air frying. This will give your wedges a delicious, savoury coating. You could also experiment with other types of cheese, such as cheddar or cotija.

Spicy Wedges

For a spicy kick, coat your wedges with a mixture of taco seasoning, chilli powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. You can also sprinkle on some cayenne pepper or black pepper for an extra spicy punch.

Herbaceous Wedges

If you're a fan of fresh herbs, try tossing your wedges with some Italian seasoning, which typically includes a blend of herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme. You could also garnish your wedges with fresh parsley, dill, or rosemary to add a pop of colour and a boost of flavour.

Classic Seasoning

For a classic fry flavour, stick to the basics and season your wedges with just salt and pepper. You can use regular table salt, or try something fancier like truffle salt or season salt. Just be careful not to overdo it, especially if you're using a salt blend that already includes other spices.

Cooking the wedges

Now that you've cut your potatoes into wedges, it's time to cook them. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Soaking (optional, but recommended for crispier wedges): Place the potato wedges in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for about 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, which will make your wedges crispier. After soaking, drain the water and pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen or paper towel.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350-400°F (around 175-200°C). Greasing the air fryer basket is optional but can be done for added crispness.
• Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the potato wedges with olive oil, salt, and your choice of seasonings. Mix well to ensure even coating. Some popular seasoning options include garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder, onion powder, and pepper. You can also add grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavour.
• Air frying: Place the seasoned wedges into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. For most air fryers, you will need to cook the wedges in batches. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, then use tongs to gently toss and redistribute them. Continue air frying at the same temperature for another 5 minutes.
• Increase temperature: After the initial 15 minutes of cooking, increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Cook for about 15 minutes more, tossing the wedges every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. The total cooking time at this higher temperature will depend on how crispy you like your wedges, but it should be around 15 minutes.
• Serving: Transfer the crispy potato wedges to a serving plate and sprinkle with a little extra salt, if desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy your wedges as a side dish, appetizer, or snack. They pair well with various dips and sauces, such as ketchup, ranch, sour cream, or aioli.

Tips for Success:

• For the crispiest results, use russet potatoes. However, other types of potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, red, or white potatoes, can also be used, although they may not yield the same level of crispness.
• To prevent your potato wedges from sticking to the air fryer basket, grease the basket lightly with oil or cooking spray before adding the potatoes.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the wedges in batches if needed to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• For extra crispy wedges, toss them with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley after air frying.

Serving suggestions

These potato wedges are a great snack or side dish and can be served with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some ideas for how to serve them:

• With ketchup, ranch, or another sauce of your choice
• With a dip such as guacamole or sour cream
• With a spread of dipping sauces such as Chick Fil A sauce, ranch, ketchup, or aioli
• With a sauce such as sugar-free ketchup, sugar-free BBQ sauce, Big Mac sauce, or spicy mayo
• As a side with hamburgers, grilled chicken, or steak
• As a side with a spicy chicken sandwich
• As a side with pork chops, salmon burgers, or a vegan burger
• As a side with German Schnitzel, breaded fish, or air fryer fried chicken
• With ketchup or sour cream on the side

Frequently asked questions