Air frying has become an increasingly popular method of cooking in recent years. It provides a convenient way to make crispy, delicious fried foods like french fries using little to no oil. While prepping potatoes for air frying, many people wonder if it’s necessary to soak the potato wedges first. Here’s a look at what happens if you don’t soak potatoes before air frying and whether soaking is recommended.
The Purpose of Soaking Potatoes Before Air Frying
Soaking potatoes before air frying is often recommended for a couple of key reasons:
- To remove excess starch on the surface of the potatoes
- To allow seasonings and oil to better adhere to the potatoes
Raw potatoes contain a fair amount of starch. When cut into wedges or fries, the starch can accumulate on the exterior of the potato pieces. If the potatoes are not soaked, this surface starch can burn and become bitter when air fried at high temperatures.
Soaking also allows the potato wedges to better absorb any added flavorings like salt, spices, or herbs. The soak softens the exterior to open up the potato pieces. Oil can also stick to soaked potatoes better to promote browning and crisping in the air fryer.
What Happens if You Don’t Soak Potatoes Before Air Frying
If you don’t soak the potatoes before air frying, a few things can happen:
- Excess surface starch can burn, leaving a bitter taste
- Potatoes may cook unevenly
- Potatoes may not get as crispy
- Flavorings and oil will not absorb as well
The main risk with not soaking is that the surface starch will burn and become bitter. This can leave the fries or wedges with an unpleasant taste. Even if you rinse or dry the potato pieces, there may still be enough residual starch to cause bitterness in the air fryer.
Skipping the soak can also lead to uneven cooking. The exterior of the potatoes may burn while the centers remain underdone. Soaking allows the potato pieces to cook through more gently and evenly.
You also may find that unsoaked potatoes come out less crispy. The crust won’t get as dehydrated and crunchy, especially if there is excess starch still clinging to the surface.
Finally, any added seasonings, oil, or sauces will not adhere and absorb into the potatoes as well without soaking. The result can be flavor that seems superficial rather than infused into the potato.
Should You Soak Potatoes Before Air Frying?
While you can certainly air fry potatoes without soaking, it is strongly recommended to soak them beforehand for the best results.
Here are some of the key benefits of soaking potatoes before air frying:
- Removes surface starch to prevent burning and bitterness
- Allows for more even cooking throughout
- Promotes crisper, crunchier exterior
- Allows potatoes to absorb more oil and seasoning
- Enhances overall flavor and texture
The small effort of soaking is well worth it for the improvements to the taste, texture, and cooking results. Soaking helps the potatoes air fry up better in every way.
Tips for Soaking Potatoes
When you do soak potatoes in preparation for air frying, follow these tips:
- Soak for at least 30 minutes but no more than 3 hours
- Use cold water
- Don’t overload the water or soak too many at once
- Pat potatoes dry before air frying
You don’t need to soak for hours – a 30 minute soak is typically plenty to remove excess starch. Make sure to use cold water rather than hot to avoid prematurely cooking the potatoes. Also avoid overcrowding the soak or the potatoes may not get totally submerged.
Once done soaking, pat the potatoes thoroughly dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. The dryer they are before air frying, the better they will crisp up.
Soaking Alternatives
If you really don’t want to soak the potatoes, there are couple alternative preparation methods to consider:
- Rinse: Rinse the potato wedges under cold water to wash off some surface starch.
- Dry out: Let the potatoes sit out for 30+ minutes to allow surface moisture to evaporate.
Rinsing can help wash off a little excess starch, though not as well as a full soak. Letting the potatoes dry out uncovered in the fridge or on the counter can also help draw out moisture before air frying.
However, neither method works quite as well as a soak. You may still get uneven cooking or burning. For best results, take the time to soak the potatoes.
Conclusion
Soaking potatoes before air frying helps remove excess surface starch, allows for more even cooking, yields a crispier exterior texture, and lets the potatoes better absorb seasonings and oil. While you can skip pre-soaking, the potatoes are much more likely to have quality issues like bitterness, soft spots, uneven cooking, and lack of flavor.
To get the most out of your air fried potatoes, make sure to soak the wedges or fries in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour before air frying. Pat them very dry afterwards. Following this simple step will help your potatoes turn out perfectly crispy, flavorful, and delicious.
| Soak Potatoes Before Air Frying? | Potential Results if No Soak |
|---|---|
| Yes |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Why soak potatoes before air frying?
Soaking serves multiple purposes: it removes excess starch from the potato surface that can burn, allows for more even cooking, helps potatoes get crispy, and enables better absorption of oil and seasonings.
How long should you soak potatoes for air frying?
Only soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. More than 3 hours can begin to break down the potatoes. 30 minutes is usually enough time to remove surface starch.
What is the best temperature for air frying potatoes?
Air fry potatoes between 380-400°F. Higher heat ensures the exterior gets crispy before the inside overcooks. Adjust time based on the thickness of your potatoes.
Should you rinse potatoes after soaking for air frying?
Yes, gently rinse the potatoes after soaking to remove any remaining loose starch, then pat very dry before air frying for best results.
Do you have to use oil when air frying potatoes?
A small amount of oil is recommended – about 1-2 tbsp per pound of potatoes. The oil helps facilitate browning and crisping. You can skip it but the potatoes may not get as crunchy.
The Takeaway
While not strictly required, soaking potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes prior to air frying is strongly recommended. Soaking removes excess starch, promotes even cooking, yields a crispier crust, and allows potatoes to absorb more oil and seasonings. For best results, take the extra time to soak potatoes before air frying.
