Crispy potato wedges in the oven are the best side dish when you want comforting food without any hassle. My brother asked for the recipe three times last month because his kids ate every single piece off the tray. You only need three large potatoes, a splash of oil, and a few basic spices to make them right now.
The secret to getting that crunchy skin with a soft middle is soaking the cut potatoes in hot water for ten minutes first. After that, you dry them fast, toss them with oil, and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes. It is simple, cheap, and works every single time.
Why Soak Potatoes Before Baking?
Soaking your cut potatoes removes extra starch from the outside of each slice. Too much starch makes the edges soggy instead of crunchy while they cook. I tested this step last year by baking two trays side by side. The unsoaked batch stayed soft, while the soaked tray had a loud, happy crunch when I bit into a wedge.
Use hot tap water for this quick soak. Ten minutes is all it takes while your heat comes up on the stove or inside the stove box. Pour the water off and dry the cuts completely with a clean kitchen towel. Wet potatoes will steam in the hot pan, and steaming is the enemy of crispiness. Good meal preparation starts with keeping things dry.
Ingredients for the Best Crispy Potato Wedges in the Oven
Russet potatoes work best for this recipe because their skin is thick and their insides cook up light and fluffy. You can use Yukon Gold potatoes if that is what you have in the kitchen today. They taste buttery, though their skin turns out a little less noisy when you bite down. Here is what you need on your counter:
- 3 large Russet potatoes, washed clean
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
Paprika gives the wedges a nice red color as they bake under high heat. Garlic powder adds a warm smell that fills your kitchen in about fifteen minutes. If you enjoy cozy food nights, check out this Movie Lists Rank the 1990s Thrillers with Best Plot Twists to find something fun to watch while your pan cooks.
Step by Step Guide to Baking Crispy Wedges
First, turn your oven knob to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it warm up completely so the hot air hits the food right away. Cut each potato in half longwise. Lay the flat side down on your cutting board so it does not slip around. Cut each half into three or four long wedges.
Put your cuts into a large bowl and cover them with hot tap water. Set a timer for 10 minutes. While you wait, mix your salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small cup. This ensures every piece gets the same mix of spices later.NEXT
