Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that packs a spicy punch? Look no further than these Spicy Potato Wedges! Made with simple ingredients like potatoes, avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, Cajun seasoning, and all-purpose flour, these wedges are the perfect way to add flavor and heat to any meal. Whether serving them as a snack, a side dish, or even as part of a main course, these potato wedges are sure to please. So fire up the oven, grab some potatoes, and let's get cooking!
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What are Spicy Potato Wedges?
Spicy potato wedges are a popular side dish made from potato wedges coated in a spicy seasoning blend before being baked in the oven. The seasoning typically includes a combination of spices like garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, Cajun seasoning, and salt, which give the potato wedges a delicious and spicy flavor. Spicy potato wedges can be served as a snack, appetizer, or a side dish alongside burgers, sandwiches, or other main courses. They are a tasty and easy-to-make option for anyone looking to add heat and flavor to their meals.
Spicy Potato Wedges Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided below.
- Russet or Red Potatoes: These are the main ingredients and form the base of the dish. They are sliced into wedges, providing the starchy and hearty component of the recipe.
- Avocado Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The oil serves multiple purposes. It helps to coat the potato wedges, ensuring they cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior. Additionally, the oil contributes to the overall flavor and helps bind the seasonings to the potatoes.
- Granulated Garlic: This ingredient adds a savory and aromatic flavor to the potato wedges.
- Red Pepper Flakes: These flakes add heat and spice to the dish, providing a kick of flavor. Adjust the amount according to your desired level of spiciness.
- Cajun Seasoning: This spice blend typically contains a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and other herbs and spices. It brings a robust and complex flavor profile to the dish, with hints of smokiness, heat, and tanginess.
- Kosher Salt: Salt enhances the overall taste of the potato wedges, balancing the flavors and bringing out the potatoes' natural sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The flour coats the potato wedges, creating a thin layer that aids in achieving a crispy texture when baked.
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How to Make Spicy Potato Wedges
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a 13'' x 18''x 1'' baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a nonstick baking sheet). Scrub the potatoes, cut them in half lengthwise, then cut each half in thirds lengthwise. You'll have 6 long wedges from each potato. Put the garlic potato wedges into a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the cajun, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and oil until blended, then pour over the potatoes.
Sprinkle the flour over the potatoes and toss until the potatoes are thoroughly coated. Spread the potatoes out on the prepared baking sheet, being sure to leave space in between the wedges. Bake the garlic potato wedges for 30 to 35 minutes, turning to the other cut side after 20 minutes. Bake the Garlic Potato Wedges until lightly browned, crisp outside, and tender inside.
Substitutions
- Potatoes: You can use any potato for this recipe, such as russet, red, or Yukon gold.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You can use any cooking oil, such as canola or vegetables.
- Granulated garlic: You can use fresh minced garlic instead of granulated garlic.
- Red pepper flakes: Use cayenne or chili powder if you don't have red pepper flakes.
- Oregano: You can use any other dried herb, such as thyme, rosemary, or basil.
- Cajun seasoning: You can use any other seasoning blend, such as taco or chili.
Variations
- Potatoes: You can use any potato for this recipe, such as russet, red, or Yukon gold.
- Avocado oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You can use any cooking oil you prefer, such as canola or vegetable.
- Granulated garlic: You can use fresh minced garlic instead of granulated garlic.
- Red pepper flakes: Use cayenne or chili powder if you don't have red pepper flakes.
- Oregano: You can use any other dried herb, such as thyme, rosemary, or basil.
- Cajun seasoning: You can use any other seasoning blend, such as taco or chili.
- All-purpose flour: You can use cornstarch or potato starch instead of flour to coat the wedges.
How to Serve
- Burgers: Serve spicy potato wedges, a juicy burger, and coleslaw for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Sandwiches: Add some extra crunch to your favorite sandwich by serving it with spicy potato wedges.
- Grilled chicken: The spicy flavor of the potato wedges pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, making it a great side dish for a summer BBQ.
- Fish and seafood: Serve the potato wedges alongside fish and seafood dishes, such as fish and chips, shrimp tacos, or crab cakes.
- Appetizers: Spicy potato wedges make a great appetizer for parties and gatherings. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, ranch dressing, ketchup, or aioli.
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: Leftover spicy potato wedges, cool to room temperature, and transfer them to an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat: The potato wedges, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the potato wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated. You can also reheat them in a microwave by placing them on a microwave-safe plate and heating them in 30-second intervals until heated.
Make-Ahead
You can slice the potatoes into wedges and store them in a water container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before using. You can mix the seasoning blend in advance and store it in an airtight container until you're ready to use it. This can save you time and make the recipe come together quickly. You can also mix the all-purpose flour with the seasoning blend in advance and store it in an airtight container until you're ready to coat the potato wedges. You can line a baking sheet with parchment paper in advance so it's ready to go when you're ready to bake the potato wedges.
How to Freeze
While it is possible to freeze these spicy potato wedges, it may affect their texture and flavor. The potato wedges may become mushy after being frozen and thawed, and the coating may become less crispy.
If you do choose to freeze the potato wedges, here's how to do it:
Allow the potato wedges to cool to room temperature. Place the potato wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 1-2 hours or until they are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen potato wedges to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and label it with the date and contents. Freeze the potato wedges for up to 2-3 months.
Tips for Making The Best Spicy Potato Wedges
- Choose the right potatoes: Russet or red potatoes are commonly used for potato wedges due to their starchy and firm texture, which helps achieve a crispy exterior. Avoid using waxy potatoes like new potatoes, as they may not crisp up as well.
- Cut the wedges evenly: Try to cut the potato wedges into similar sizes so that they cook evenly. This ensures that some don't end up overcooked while others are undercooked.
- Soak or rinse the potatoes: If you prefer less starchy wedges with a crispier texture, you can soak the cut potato wedges in cold water for about 30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. This step helps remove excess starch from the potatoes.
- Use a baking sheet with enough space: It's important to spread the potato wedges on the baking sheet, allowing enough space between them. Crowding the wedges can cause them to steam instead of getting crispy. If needed, use two baking sheets or bake the wedges in batches.
- Preheat the baking sheet: For extra crispiness, preheat the baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes before adding the potato wedges. This helps create a hot surface, promoting better browning and crispness.
- Toss the wedges thoroughly: When coating the potato wedges with the seasoning mixture, toss them well to ensure an even distribution of flavors. This step ensures that each wedge is properly seasoned.
- Adjust the spice level: If you prefer milder or hotter potato wedges, add red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning according to your preferences. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder version.
- Flip the wedges during baking: To ensure that both sides of the potato wedges are evenly browned, flip them halfway through the baking time. This helps achieve a crispy texture on all sides.
- Serve immediately: Potato wedges are best served fresh and hot in the oven when they are crispy. Serve them immediately to retain their texture and flavor.
- Experiment with toppings and dips: Feel free to experiment with different toppings and serve the potato wedges with dipping sauces. Some popular options include sour cream, ketchup, chipotle mayo, or ranch dressing.
FAQ
Why are my potato wedges not crispy?
Crispy potato wedges require proper coating and baking. Make sure you evenly coat the wedges with the oil and flour mixture. Also, ensure enough space between the wedges on the baking sheet. Overcrowding can result in steaming rather than crisping. Lastly, bake them until they are golden brown and crisp outside.
My potato wedges are too spicy. How can I reduce the heat?
If your potato wedges turn out too spicy, you can reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning in the seasoning blend. Start with less and taste-test until it reaches your desired level of spiciness. You can also serve them with a cooling dip like sour cream or yogurt to balance the heat.
Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
While Russet and Red potatoes are commonly used for wedges, you can experiment with other varieties like Yukon Gold or fingerling potatoes. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly based on the type of potato you choose.
How can I make sure the wedges are evenly coated with the seasoning?
Toss the potato wedges in the seasoning mixture in a large bowl to ensure even coating. Toss them thoroughly so that each wedge gets coated with the spices, oil, and flour.
Why are my potato wedges sticking to the baking sheet?
To prevent sticking, use parchment paper or a nonstick baking sheet. If you're not using parchment paper, ensure the baking sheet is well-greased or lightly coated with oil before placing the potato wedges on it.
My potato wedges are not getting brown enough. What can I do?
If the wedges are not browning as desired, you can increase the oven temperature slightly and/or bake them for a few extra minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Related Recipes:
- Garlic Potato wedges
- Spanish Potato Omelette
- Potato Hash
- Roasted Sweet potato
- Baked Cajun sweet potato
- Roasted potato
Recipe
Easy Spicy Potato Wedges
Ingredients
- 4 Large russet or red potatoes , (rinsed) sliced into wedges
- ¼ Cup Avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ Teaspoon Granulated garlic
- ½ Teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- ½ Teaspoon Oregano
- 2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning , adjust to taste
- ¼ Teaspoon Kosher salt , to taste
- 2 Tablespoons All-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a 13'' x 18''x 1'' baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a nonstick baking sheet).
- Scrub the potatoes, cut them in half lengthwise, then cut each half in thirds lengthwise. You'll have 6 long wedges from each potato. Put the garlic potatoes wedges into a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cajun, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and oil until blended, and then pour over the potatoes. Sprinkle the flour over the potatoes and toss until the potatoes are thoroughly coated. Spread the potatoes out on the prepared baking sheet, being sure to leave space in between the wedges.
- Bake the garlic potato wedges for 30 to 35 minutes, turning to the other cut side after 20 minutes. Bake the Garlic Potato Wedges until they are lightly browned, crisp outside, and tender inside.
Notes
If you do choose to freeze the potato wedges, here's how to do it: Allow the potato wedges to cool to room temperature. Place the potato wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 1-2 hours or until they are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen potato wedges to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and label it with the date and contents. Freeze the potato wedges for up to 2-3 months.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.