Here I share with you some game-changing tips for getting Oven Baked Potato Wedges that are crispy and crunchy on the outside, yet light and fluffy on the inside!

side shot of potato wedges served with dip

Life Changing Potatoes Wedges

I mean ever so sliiiiiiiiightly dramatic. BUT, they are seriously delicious. Crispy, crunchy, fluffy, flavoursome deliciousness. Here’s why you’re going to love them:

  • Oven Baked – No faffing about with deep frying, these come out truly crispy straight out the oven.
  • Parmesan – Secret ingredient that takes these wedges through the roof!
  • EASY – Even the most beginner of cook can master these.

Okay, first things first, let’s talk potato. I tend to use 4 medium potatoes, which will get 8 wedges from them each (32 in total).

What is the best potato to use for wedges? – You want to use floury potatoes such as King Edwards, Maris Pipers or Russets. They retain less moisture and turn out fluffier in the centre. I’d avoid waxy potatoes as they cling on to more moisture.

How to cut Potato Wedges

  1. Find 4 evenly sized potatoes (important so the wedges are uniformed size and cook at an even rate).
  2. Slice them in half, place them flat side down, slice in half again, flip them again then slice those 4 slices in half again. This will produce 8 wedges from each potato.

how to cut potatoes into wedges - 3 step by step photos

Top Tip – Keep the skins on for extra flavour and extra crispiness!

Parboiling Potato Wedges

In terms of preparing potato wedges, different people having different methods. Some soak in cold water, others coat them straight in the seasoning. I prefer to par-boil.

Removing Starch from Potatoes

Potatoes are stuffed full of starch, and when cooked that’s what makes potatoes go gloopy in the centre. So essentially we want to remove as much starch as possible before baking. By parboiling the wedges you do just this.

However…

After placing them in the water, the wedges will soak up some of the moisture. This is ironically what we don’t want. Potatoes that have too much moisture = soggy. So, what to do is after you’ve drained them, let them sit for at least 5 minutes and allow the steam to leave the wedges. This is the moisture that we don’t want escaping the wedges, which is good.

I don’t recommend soaking in cold water, you want the potatoes to be partly cooked so they’re not in the oven so long they burn the parmesan (more on that in just a sec). Plus, this way the salty water can help season the insides of the potatoes too.

How to Parboil Potato Wedges (quick summary)

  1. Pop wedges in cold water (important – if you place straight in boiling water they won’t cook evenly from the centre). Bring to boil for 3-4mins.
  2. Drain in colander and allow to steam for minimum 5mins (preferably until they completely stop steaming)

parboiling potato for wedges - 2 step by step photos

Top Tip – As the wedges rest and steam, give them a shake in the colander to rough up the edges (rough edges = extra crispiness)

Parmesan Potato Wedges

Okay, here’s where things get intense. There’s a couple of reasons I add parmesan to potato wedges. First is flavour. Parmesan adds a gorgeous, salty flavour to potato wedges. Plus, potatoes and cheese is a match made in heaven. The second is texture. Baking potato wedges in parmesan enhances that gorgeous crispy outside.

In terms of other seasoning, here’s what you’ll need:

Potato Wedge Seasoning

  • Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Thyme
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Salt & Black Pepper
  • Olive Oil
  • Parmesan

When it comes to baking the wedges, my number 1 tip is making sure you spread the wedges out. If you pile them on top of each other they are just going to steam and not get crispy. Use two trays if you have to!

How to make Parmesan Wedges (quick summary)

  1. Coat potatoes in oil and seasoning.
  2. Stir through freshly grated parmesan.
  3. Space out on a baking tray and bake!

How to make parmesan potato wedges - 3 step by step photos

Potato Wedges FAQ

Do I have to parboil the wedges?

Parboiling helps draw out starch, it reduces baking time so the parmesan doesn’t burn and also helps season the inside of the wedges. Whilst I don’t recommend soaking in cold water in favour of parboiling, soaking in cold water is better than nothing. If for whatever reason you don’t have access to a stove, you can soak the wedges in cold salted water for 20-30mins, then thoroughly dry.

Do I have to add parmesan?

The parmesan adds flavour and helps create a crispy exterior to the wedges, but if for whatever reason you can’t use parmesan then just go ahead without. They’ll still be delicious!

Can these be frozen?

They do freeze pretty well! Just allow to completely cool, then freeze for up to 3 months. I usually defrost then bake until hot and crispy again, but you could bake from frozen at a lower temp.

Oven Baked Potato Wedges Fresh out the oven - closeup focus on one

Serving Potato Wedges

Once the wedges are out the oven, that smell is going to melt your soul 😍 I like to let them rest for a few mins (just to let the final bit of steam escape) and then sprinkle a pinch of salt. The will extract any moisture from the surface. You know, just for extra crispiness.

From there, you can either serve them as a side, or even as an appetizer with dips! Here’s my faves:

Potato Wedges Dips

Or do it the Aussie way! When I spent 2 years in Australia it became apparent that the only dipping sauces for potato wedges were sweet chilli sauce and sour cream. Hey, it kinda worked!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these oven baked potato wedges shall we?!

oven baked potato wedges served with dipping sauce

How to make Oven Baked Potato Wedges (Full Recipe & Video)

potato wedges served with dip
4.96 from 25 votes

The most INCREDIBLE Oven Baked Potato Wedges

Here I share with you some game-changing tips for getting Oven Baked Potato Wedges that are crispy and crunchy on the outside, yet light and fluffy on the inside!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 4
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Equipment

  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
  • Pot & Colander (for par-boiling wedges)
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Large Greaseproof Baking Tray
  • Fine Cheese Grater
  • Small Pot/Ramekin (for seasoning mix)

Ingredients 

  • 4 medium sized White Baking Potatoes, approx 9oz/250g each (Russets or Maris Pipers work great)
  • 1/2 cup / 40g freshly grated Parmesan
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp tsp Salt,
  • 1 heaped tsp Paprika
  • 1 heaped tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme (can sub Oregano)
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper, (adjust to spice preference, this gives a gentle kick)
  • 1/8 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions 

  • Slice your potatoes into 8 equal wedge shapes. I find this easiest by slicing in half, place flat side down and slice those in half, then flip again and slice in half again.
  • Add to a pot of cold water with 1 tsp salt, then bring to boil. Once bubbling, allow to boil for 3-4mins. The edges should just begin to fray and you should only just be able to slice with a knife.
  • Drain and give them a shake in the colander. Sit and rest to steam dry for at least 5 minutes, but preferably until they stop steaming. The longer the better (the more steam that escapes the fluffier the inside and crispier the outside).
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl/ramekin combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 heaped tsp paprika & garlic powder, 1/2 tsp thyme & salt, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste) and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Preheat the oven to 200C/390F.
  • Combine the wedges with the oil seasoning and mix to fully coat. Sprinkle in 1/2cup/40g freshly grated parmesan and give a gentle toss. Don't overmix the parmesan or it'll clump up with the seasoning and fall off the wedges.
  • Evenly space out the wedges on a large greaseproof baking tray (use 2 trays if you have to). Spacing out is important so they don't steam on each other and have room to crisp up!
  • Bake for 25-35mins, or until deep golden and visibly crispy. Flip once after 15 mins. Timings will vary depending on your oven/size of wedges so just be vigilant after flipping. They will crisp up slightly more as they rest.
  • Serve up and enjoy!

Video

Notes

a) Potatoes - Try and find 4 even sized potatoes so all the wedges come out in uniform size. This is important so they cook at an even rate. I find fluffy baking potatoes like Russets, King Edwards or Maris Pipers work great. I would avoid waxy potatoes as they hold on to too much moisture and won't get as fluffy.
b) Steam - Allowing the wedges to sit whilst the steam is released is an important step. After being parboiled they will have taken on unwanted moisture. The steam is merely that unwanted moisture leaving the wedges. i.e fluffier insides! It's preferable to allow them to rest until they completely stop steaming.
c) Spice - 1/4 tsp of Cayenne Pepper will give a gentle kick of spice. Increase for more spice or take out all together if you'd prefer without!
d) Salt - I only use 1/2 tsp of salt in the seasoning because seasoning is always down to preference. However it's difficult to 'taste test' as such when they're raw. Add more after they're cooked if you want them saltier!
e) Space - It's important to space the wedges apart in the oven. If they're too close they will steam instead of bake, therefore turning soggy in the process! Also important to flip so both sides of the wedges have equal time with direct contact on the hot tray.
f) Cooking Times - they will vary depending on the size of wedges you end up with. Still flip after 15 mins and from there just be vigilant throughout. If you notice they're starting to burn after 15mins, just lower the heat slightly.
g) Dipping Sauces - Check out my Delicious Dips! (Sour Cream and Chive dip and Homemade Blue Cheese Dip are my faves). Or do it the Aussie way and have one pot of sour cream and a second pot of sweet chilli sauce!
h) Calories - Based sharing between 4 people, approx 8 wedges each.

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 60.1g | Protein: 8.8g | Fat: 9.5g | Saturated Fat: 2.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.5g | Trans Fat: 0.08g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 1544mg | Fiber: 9.2g | Sugar: 4.3g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 37.1mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 2.2mg

Looking for more?

You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’


For more similar recipes check out these beauties:

Crispy Potato Recipes

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If you loved these Oven Baked Potato Wedges be sure to Pin the recipe for later! Already made them or got a question? Let me know in the comments below and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!

Chris Collins, food blogger at Don't Go Bacon My Heart in white jumper eating a slice of garlic flatbread
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Recipe Rating




74 Comments

  1. Kaci Nielson says:

    5 stars
    Talk about restaurant-quality wedges! These are fabulous! I omitted the Parmesan, and we devoured these. This is my new go-to recipe. Thank you!

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks so much for the review, Kaci! 🙂 C.

  2. Jo-Anne Lemaire says:

    This recipe sounds wonderful. Please, I’d like to know if I could also use the dried parmesan cheese for this recipe. and if so, how much to be equivalent with the fresh grated? Thank you.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      I’m not sure it would stick as well, but you could certainly give it a go (might be a case of sprinkling more over the top of the wedges). Try the same weight, adding a little more to lightly coat the wedges if you need to. C.

      1. Jo-Anne Lemaire says:

        Thanks for answering so quickly. 🙂 Have a great day.

  3. Sally J says:

    5 stars
    Great flavor. I left out the cheese, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Added onion powder. They were great.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      So great to hear, Sally! Thanks for the review! C.

  4. Nick says:

    5 stars
    Really simple, really tasty as Always. My family are beginning to think I know what I’m doing in the kitchen! Thank you Chris

    1. Chris Collins says:

      So great to hear, Nick! Fake it ’til you make it is what I say Cheers for the review. C.

  5. Geralyn Rohan says:

    5 stars
    I have not made these yet. I just came across the recipe today.
    I personally don’t think you can possibly go wrong.
    I love all the photos and excellent explanation through each step.
    I think that this will definitely be ago to recipe1 Especially that they can be made ahead and frozen.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Hope you enjoy, Geralyn! C.

  6. Toots says:

    4 stars
    Really good! I may have overmixed when I added the cheese cuz I did get a few small clumps of seasonings. They were overall coated very well, though. Flavor is great and they were so crisp on the outside and really soft inside. Definitely going to make again

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks so much for the review, Toots! C.

  7. Victra says:

    5 stars
    This was absolute perfection! Thank you very much for your detailed recipe. I’ve tried a similar recipe b4 but it was a hit and miss. The details u provided helped narrow down the pit falls. This is my go to potato wedges recipe from now on.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Great to hear they went down well!! C.

  8. Yelitza says:

    Can I make part of this ahead? Maybe up to where the potatoes were boiled?

    1. Chris Collins says:

      You could probably parboil them then let them completely cool and tightly store them in the fridge and continue. You could also fully make them then reheat them in the oven at 180C until hot and crisp again! C.

  9. Claudia says:

    5 stars
    We’ve made these many times already. It’s such a delicious recipe, always makes crispy wedges and my family love them. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Chris Collins says:

      That’s so great to hear, Claudia! Thanks so much for popping back for a review 🙂 C.

  10. Michele Burrell says:

    5 stars
    This man is amazing all of his good is delicious. Had these wedges tonight crispy on outside fluffy within .

    1. Chris Collins says:

      Thanks so much Michele 🙂