Air Fryer Wedges: The Perfect, Quick, Crispy Treat

Making potato wedges in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a tasty appetizer, side dish, or snack. The air fryer is the key to perfect potato wedges: crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and irresistibly delicious. This guide will walk you through the steps to make your own mouth-watering wedges.

Potato preparation

The first step to making potato wedges in an air fryer is to prepare the potatoes. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Selecting the Right Potatoes

Choose starchy potatoes such as russet potatoes or Yukon Golds. These varieties yield perfect results, with a fluffy interior and crispy exterior. Avoid waxy potatoes like fingerlings, as they may not hold up well during the cooking process.

Rinsing and Soaking

Rinse the potatoes in cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Then, soak the potatoes in cold water for about 30 minutes. This step is optional but recommended for achieving crispier wedges. Soaking helps release excess starch from the potatoes. For even better results, add ice cubes to the water. After soaking, pat the potatoes dry with a clean kitchen or paper towel.

Cutting the Potatoes into Wedges

To cut the potatoes into wedges, follow these steps:

• Cut each potato in half lengthwise.
• Place the cut side of the potato onto the cutting board and cut it in half again to create quarters.
• Position each potato quarter with the cut side up.
• Cut down the center of each quarter to create a wedge.
• Repeat this process with the remaining potato quarters until you have the desired number of wedges.

Seasoning the Potatoes (Optional)

You can season the potato wedges before air frying to enhance their flavour. Here are some seasoning suggestions:

• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Parsley
• Paprika
• Chili powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Parmesan cheese

Simply toss the potato wedges in a large bowl with the desired seasonings until they are evenly coated.

Air fryer settings

The air fryer is a handy appliance for making potato wedges, yielding a crispy exterior and fluffy interior without the mess and calories of deep frying. Here are the steps to achieve the perfect air-fried potato wedges:

Preheat the Air Fryer

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer to ensure the best results. The ideal temperature for cooking potato wedges is 400°F (200°C).

Cut the Potatoes

Wash and scrub the potatoes, leaving the skin on for a rustic texture and added nutrients. Cut each potato lengthwise into halves, and then cut each half into quarters. Finally, cut each quarter lengthwise to create the wedges. The thickness of the wedges should be about 0.5 inches.

Soak the Potatoes (Optional)

For crispier wedges, you can optionally soak the potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This step helps release excess starch, resulting in a crispier texture. After soaking, pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

Season the Potatoes

Place the potato wedges in a large bowl and drizzle them with oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, or even leftover bacon grease for a smoky flavour. Toss the wedges to ensure they are evenly coated in oil.

For seasoning, you can use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, parsley, and chili powder. You can also get creative with your spices and try mixes like Cajun, Taco, Truffle, or Ranch seasoning. Mix the spices in a small bowl and then add them to the potatoes, tossing to coat evenly.

Cook the Wedges

Place the seasoned wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wedges in batches.

Cook the wedges at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then use tongs to gently toss and redistribute them. Continue cooking at the same temperature for another 5 minutes.

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

Serving and Storage

Transfer the crispy potato wedges to a serving plate and sprinkle with additional salt if desired. Enjoy them as a snack or a side dish with ketchup, sour cream, or your favourite dipping sauce.

Leftover wedges can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes to crisp them up again.

Oil and seasoning

• Start by placing your cut potato wedges into a large bowl.
• Drizzle or spray the desired amount of oil over the wedges. You can also toss the wedges in the oil to ensure an even coating.
• In a separate small bowl, combine all your chosen seasonings and mix well.
• Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the oiled wedges, and toss or mix until all the wedges are evenly coated.
• If you prefer a heavier coating of seasoning, you can place the seasoned wedges back into the large bowl and toss them again.

Remember, the amount of oil and seasoning you use can be adjusted to your personal preference. You can also choose to add more oil and seasoning after the wedges are cooked for an extra flavour boost.

Cooking times

The cooking time for your wedges will depend on how crispy you like them, and how many you are cooking at once. For example, if your air fryer is overcrowded, your wedges may need longer to cook and they may not get as crispy.

As a general rule, you should cook your wedges for around 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). However, for extra crispy wedges, you can cook them for 10 minutes at 350°F (177°C) and then increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the final 5–15 minutes. This will ensure the wedges are cooked through and crispy on the outside.

Remember to shake the basket every 5 minutes or so to ensure the wedges cook evenly. You can also flip the wedges with tongs to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

Dips and sauces

There are many dips and sauces that can be served with potato wedges. Here are some ideas:

Ketchup

Ketchup is a classic dip for potato wedges and can be served as is or mixed with other sauces. For example, ketchup and mayonnaise, or ketchup and mayonnaise with garlic aioli.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is another popular choice for dipping potato wedges. It can be mixed with sour cream, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for a creamy garlic dip. Alternatively, try blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or fry sauce (a mix of mayonnaise and ketchup).

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a great option for adding a sweet and smoky flavour to your wedges. It can be mixed with mayonnaise for a two-ingredient sauce that is perfect for dipping.

Sour Cream

Sour cream is a tangy and creamy dip that can be served on its own or mixed with other ingredients. Try adding some garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to sour cream for a delicious dip.

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

For a healthier option, try a Greek yogurt ranch dip. This dip combines the tanginess of Greek yogurt with the herbs and spices of ranch dressing.

Parmesan Cheese

Potato wedges can be tossed with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley after air frying for some extra flavour.

Truffle Salt and Parmesan Cheese

For a fancier option, try using truffle salt and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley for a sophisticated take on potato wedges.

Chili Mayo

For a spicy kick, mix some mayonnaise with chili powder, or try a sweet and spicy sauce made with barbecue sauce, chili powder, onion powder, Greek seasoning, garlic salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Frequently asked questions