Greek Fried Potatoes (also in the air fryer)

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Greek Fried Potatoes, in Greek called Patates Tiganites,  (pr. pah-TAH-tess Tee-ghah-nee-TESS), are fried in olive oil, with oregano sprinkled on top.

The post has been updated in April 2022 with instructions how to make the fried potatoes in the Air Fryer, scroll down for the instructions.

In some countries they call them potato chips and in others, French fries, fries or finger chips.  

As fried potatoes are served as a side dish, they are the perfect accompaniment to many dishes, such as stewed dishes, grilled meat, fried fish or seafood, etc.

You may think that frying potatoes is very easy, as it is a simple recipe, but it took me quite a long time to accomplish a nice crispy taste outside, yet soft inside.

What makes these potatoes different from any other fries is that they are fried in olive oil.  

How to make Greek Fried Potatoes

You need to put enough olive oil in a frying pan, in order to cover them while frying and not to add too many potatoes as they will rather boil than fry.

Potatoes oxidize easily, so if we prepare them ahead, we need to keep them covered in cold water.  

Then drain them well before adding some salt.  

After they are fried we can sprinkle more salt on top and oregano.   This makes them delicious!

How do we know that the oil is ready for frying  

We know that the oil is ready, if we place our hand above the frying pan and feel the heat.

Until we know this by experience try this: after 2 – 3 minutes put the first piece of potato in the hot oil and if floats and starts sizzling, your oil is ready. Then put the potatoes gradually, just enough to have them covered by the oil.  

Do not start mixing them immediately but let them sit in the oil for a few minutes and using a fork start turning them over until they become golden on all sides.
A good serving is one medium potato per person.  They can be made either in sticks or round slices.

If you have a thermometre, the oil should reach 175_^oC / 350^oF.

Learn the secret to making the best homemade Greek Fried Potatoes right at home!

Ingredients needed:

• Potatoes (about 1 medium potato per person)
• Olive oil for frying (in Greece we use extra virgin olive oil)
• Salt
• Oregano (optional)

How to make the perfect fried potatoes:

Peel and wash the potatoes.

Cut them into slices about 1 cm, thick and then into sticks.

Put them in a bowl with cold water until you are ready to fry them, so that they do not oxidize.

Just before frying, drain the potatoes.

At this stage see instructions further down how to proceed to make them in the air fryer.

Sprinkle with some salt.

Heat the olive oil (which should be enough to cover the potatoes) in a heavy skillet or a wok.

Add 1 potato chip to test and see if the oil is ready.

Just before smoking point, add the potatoes. (See note above, about temperature).

Don’t stir before 5 minutes have passed and then stir occasionally until the desired colour.

Serve hot sprinkling some oregano and extra salt on top.

Note: 

1. If you use a deep fryer the same as above applies but follow the instructions of your fryer as to how long to fry.
2. Never fry the potatoes more than once in the same oil.  It is best to always use fresh olive oil but  as olive oil is expensive, when it cools store it it in a clean jar with a lid.  
3. You may use the leftover oil to fry fish, or schnitzel or meatballs or use it in an oven roast and then discard any leftover.

Greek Fried Potatoes in the Air Fryer

My air fryer can make a batch of 3 – 4 medium sized potatoes.

To make these fried potatoes you follow the above instructions and cut the potatoes.

After draining them put them in a bowl and add 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and some salt. Toss to coat them.

There is an installed program for French fries which I used. It is set at 180oC for 15 minutes.

I prefer them more golden brown, so I add 5 more minutes.

At this stage, if you are going to make more batches, remove to a platter and continue with the same procedure until you cook them all.

Put all of them back in the air fryer, toss them and give them another minute to warm up.

When done, sprinkle some more salt and oregano. Serve immediately.

You can warm them up when serving them for example with schnitzel, salmon, mpiftekia, meatballs, pork chops, marinated chicken breast, etc.

Just put them above the cooked item and give them 1 more minute.

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!

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