Air-Fryer Spicy Wedges: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making spicy wedges in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a delicious snack or side dish. The process is simple: cut potatoes into wedges, add oil and spices, and cook in the air fryer for around 15 minutes. The result is a crispy, golden treat that can be served with a variety of dips and sauces.

The key to achieving the perfect potato wedge is to ensure the potatoes are cut to a similar size, dried thoroughly before cooking, and seasoned generously. While russet potatoes are commonly used, other varieties such as red-skinned potatoes or Yukon Golds can also be used to create a buttery texture.

To add a spicy kick to your wedges, include spices like cayenne pepper, chilli powder, or smoked paprika. For an extra crispy texture, consider soaking the potatoes in cold water for 10-30 minutes before cooking to remove excess starch.

Air fryer potato wedges are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, alongside burgers, chicken, or steak, or simply enjoyed as a snack. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wedges, requiring less oil and cooking time.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

Select starchy potatoes such as Russet, Yukon Gold, or Maris Piper potatoes. These varieties are ideal for wedges because they crisp up nicely on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. Avoid waxy potatoes like fingerlings, new potatoes, or reds and Yukons as they won't yield the best results. Russet potatoes are the most recommended for their ability to get beautifully crisp while staying soft inside.

Quality and Condition

When shopping for potatoes, look for those that are smooth and firm. Avoid potatoes that are sprouted, shrivelled, or have a greenish discolouration, as these signs indicate that they are past their prime. If possible, opt for organic Russet potatoes, as they are often on the "dirty dozen" list for produce with the highest pesticide residue.

Potato Size

For even cooking, choose potatoes that are similar in size. This ensures that your wedges will cook at the same rate, helping you achieve the desired level of crispiness without overcooking or undercooking.

Preparation

Before cutting your potatoes into wedges, give them a good scrub with a brush to remove any dirt. You can leave the skin on, as it adds texture and flavour to your wedges. Cut the potatoes into even-sized wedges to ensure uniform cooking. The size of your wedges can vary depending on your preference, but aim for a thickness of less than 1/2 inch for the wider edge.

Soaking

While optional, soaking your potato wedges in cold water for about 30 minutes can enhance their crispiness. Soaking helps remove excess starch, and if you use hot water, it can also make the wedges absorb moisture, resulting in crisp outsides and moist interiors. After soaking, make sure to pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen or tea towel before adding oil and seasonings.

Preparing the potatoes

Selecting the Right Potatoes

Start by choosing the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are a popular choice for air fryer wedges as they get beautifully crisp on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. You can also use white potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes, but keep in mind that they may be a bit smaller in size.

Cutting the Potatoes

Once you've selected your potatoes, it's time to cut them into wedges. First, scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt. Then, using a sharp knife and a cutting board, cut the potatoes in half horizontally so that you have two long halves. Next, cut those halves in half, and then cut those pieces in half again, and so on, until you have your desired wedge thickness. Place the cut potatoes into a bowl of cold water and let them soak for about 10 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch and will result in crispier potatoes.

Drying and Seasoning the Potatoes

After soaking, dry the potatoes thoroughly using paper towels. This step is crucial, as any excess moisture will cause the potatoes to steam instead of air fry, leaving them soggy. Once the potatoes are dry, place them in a clean bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Feel free to add a kick of heat with some cayenne pepper or experiment with other spices like Italian seasoning, parsley, or rosemary. Toss the potatoes until they are well coated with the oil and seasonings.

Cooking the Potatoes

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned potato wedges in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches. Cook the wedges for about 15 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. For extra crispy wedges, cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid burning.

Your spicy air fryer wedges are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a side dish or a snack, paired with your favorite dipping sauce.

Seasoning the potatoes

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Freshly grated Parmesan
• Fresh parsley
• Smoked paprika
• Oregano
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Chili powder
• Parsley flakes

Method

• In a large bowl, add the potato wedges, olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, grated parmesan, salt, and pepper. You can also add onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.
• Toss the potatoes with the oil and seasonings until they are well combined and coated.
• For extra crispy wedges, you can soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before drying and seasoning them. This helps to remove excess starch and create a crispier texture.
• Place the seasoned potato wedges in the air fryer basket and cook according to your desired level of crispiness, tossing or shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking.
• For an extra touch of flavour, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley on top of the wedges before serving.

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 to making delicious, spicy wedges in your air fryer.

Firstly, if you have time, it's recommended to soak your potato wedges in cold water for around 10 to 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, which will make your wedges even crispier. However, one source mentions that this step is not necessary and can be skipped if you're short on time or prefer a less crispy texture.

After soaking (if you choose to do so), dry the potatoes thoroughly using paper towels or a clean tea towel. This step is crucial, as any excess moisture will cause the potatoes to steam instead of air fry, resulting in soggy wedges.

Next, it's time to season your wedges. Place the potatoes in a clean bowl and toss them with olive oil, salt, and your chosen spices and herbs. You can be creative with your seasonings, but a typical combination might include garlic powder, Italian seasoning or herbs, paprika, onion powder, parsley, chili powder, and black pepper. Don't be shy with the seasonings, as this is what will give your wedges a delicious, spicy kick.

Once your wedges are seasoned, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to around 200°C (400°F). Place the seasoned wedges into the air fryer basket, taking care not to overcrowd them so they can cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wedges in batches.

Cook the wedges for around 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. After this initial cooking time, you can check if they're crispy enough for your liking. If not, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

When your wedges are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot. They go well with various dips, such as ketchup, ranch, garlic mayonnaise, or blue cheese. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

These spicy wedges are a perfect side dish, appetiser, or snack. They are a healthier option than regular fries, as they use less oil, and are also a great alternative to oven-baked wedges, as they cook faster and use less energy.

You can serve these wedges with a variety of dips, including ranch, ketchup, sour cream, aioli, or a copycat Chick-fil-A sauce. They also go well with hamburgers, grilled chicken, and steak.

For a more substantial meal, serve the wedges with a juicy steak, a fancy burger, or air fryer salmon. They also pair well with air fryer chicken nuggets or gluten-free burgers.

If you want to change up the spices, try using taco seasoning instead of Italian seasoning, and sprinkle with cotija cheese. You can also add chipotle chilli powder, cumin, and smoked paprika for a smoky, spicy kick. Top with cheddar cheese and serve warm.

For a simple, classic fry flavour, season with just salt and pepper, or season salt.

Frequently asked questions