Ingredients and preparation
Ingredients:
- 4 medium-sized russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for extra heat
Preparation:
- Wash and cut the potatoes: Start by thoroughly washing the russet potatoes to remove any dirt. Leave the skin on for extra texture and flavor. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 3-4 wedges, depending on the size of the potato. Aim for evenly sized wedges to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Soak the wedges: Place the potato wedges in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This step helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier wedges. After soaking, drain the water and pat the wedges dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Season the wedges: In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Toss the potato wedges in the seasoning mixture, ensuring each wedge is evenly coated with the oil and spices.
Cooking instructions
Cooking instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures that the potato wedges start cooking immediately, helping them achieve a crispy exterior.
- Arrange the wedges: Place the seasoned potato wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent the wedges from crisping up properly. If necessary, cook the wedges in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the wedges: Air fry the potato wedges for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. The wedges should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, while tender and fluffy on the inside. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size of your wedges and the specific air fryer model, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes.
- Check for doneness: To check if the wedges are done, pierce one with a fork. It should slide in easily, indicating that the inside is fully cooked. If the wedges need more time, continue cooking in 2-3 minute increments until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
- Serve immediately: Once the wedges are perfectly cooked, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot. You can sprinkle a little extra salt or garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for added flavor.
Tips for perfect wedges
Tips for perfect wedges:
- Choose the right potatoes: Russet potatoes are ideal for air fryer wedges because of their high starch content, which helps create a fluffy interior while achieving a crispy exterior. If you prefer a slightly waxier texture, Yukon Gold potatoes can also work, but they may not get as crispy as russets.
- Soak for crispiness: Don’t skip the soaking step! Soaking the potato wedges in cold water for at least 30 minutes removes excess starch, which is key to achieving that perfect crunch. If you have time, you can even soak them for up to an hour for extra crispiness.
- Dry thoroughly: After soaking, make sure to pat the wedges completely dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels. Any excess moisture can prevent the wedges from crisping up properly in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Air circulation is crucial for even cooking in an air fryer. If the wedges are too close together, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if necessary, and make sure the wedges are in a single layer with some space between them.
- Shake the basket: Shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking ensures that all sides of the wedges get evenly browned. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, you can skip this step, but for most models, shaking is essential for even cooking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste: The seasoning mix in this recipe is a great base, but feel free to customize it to your liking. Add more cayenne pepper for extra heat, or experiment with different herbs and spices like rosemary, thyme, or smoked paprika for a unique flavor twist.
- Check for doneness: Cooking times can vary depending on the size of your wedges and the specific air fryer model. Always check for doneness by piercing a wedge with a fork. If it’s tender inside and crispy outside, they’re ready. If not, continue cooking in short increments until they reach your desired texture.
- Serve immediately: Air fryer potato wedges are best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer. They tend to lose their crispiness as they cool, so serve them right away for the best texture. If you need to keep them warm, place them in a low oven (around 200°F) while you finish cooking the rest of the batches.