Gourmet Cheese Fries: A Delicious Homemade Treat
Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges Topped with Melted Cheese
Skip the restaurant and make your own delicious cheese fries at home! These are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike, perfect as a satisfying snack or a delightful accompaniment to your favorite beverages. Using an oven or air fryer, you can achieve perfectly crispy potato wedges smothered in gooey, savory cheese. Get ready to fall in love with this irresistible combination!
Ingredients
- 1 medium potato
- 3 strips bacon
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pinch of dried parsley
- 5 stalks green onions (scallions)
- Salt to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing the bacon. Cut the bacon into thick strips, about 1 cm wide. This thickness ensures a pleasant texture when it’s baked on top of the fries.
Step 2
Finely chop the green onions (scallions) after washing them. Their fresh, slightly pungent flavor cuts through the richness of the cheese and bacon, and they add a lovely pop of color. If you like, you can also add finely diced bell peppers or other vegetables for extra flavor and texture. This step is optional.
Step 3
Wash the potato thoroughly and cut it into thick wedges, leaving the skin on. Keeping the skin on adds a lovely earthiness and extra nutrients. Aim for wedges about 1.5 to 2 cm thick; thinner wedges may fall apart.
Step 4
Place the cut potato wedges in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes to soak out excess starch. This step is key to achieving extra crispy fries. After soaking, drain them thoroughly in a colander.
Step 5
Season the drained potato wedges with a pinch of salt. Drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and toss well to coat each wedge evenly. The olive oil helps them crisp up beautifully and adds flavor.
Step 6
Generously sprinkle dried parsley over the seasoned potato wedges. The parsley adds a wonderful fragrant aroma that complements the potatoes.
Step 7
Now, let’s get them crispy in the air fryer! Place the seasoned potato wedges in a preheated air fryer set to 200°C (400°F). Cook for approximately 20 minutes. Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your potato wedges and your specific air fryer model, so check them periodically and adjust as needed until golden brown.
Step 8
After 20 minutes, check the potato wedges. They should be golden brown and nicely cooked, with a slightly crispy exterior and a tender interior.
Step 9
Arrange the cooked potato wedges on an oven-safe baking sheet or in your air fryer basket. Sprinkle about half of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the wedges, followed by half of the chopped green onions.
Step 10
Layer the prepared bacon strips over the cheese and green onions. Then, generously top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the chopped green onions over the top for more flavor and color.
Step 11
Now, it’s time to melt the cheese and bring all the flavors together. If using an oven, bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for about 15 minutes. You can also continue cooking in the air fryer. If your oven pan doesn’t fit, you can even use a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop or melt the cheese using a microwave.
Step 12
Your amazing Gourmet Cheese Fries are ready! While delicious as plain wedges, adding this layer of melted cheese and toppings elevates them to a whole new level of savory goodness. A final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds an extra burst of nutty flavor. Enjoy this truly delightful treat!
