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Jo Jo Potato Wedges are thick and satisfying! They’re crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside and they’re sure to become your new favorite side dish.
I can’t believe it’s already back-to-school week. And while I know some of you mamas are ready for a break, this mama is super sad about it.
We’ve been trying to soak up the final few weeks of summer and trying to get things organized around here. Cleaning out closets and drawers, shopping for new school clothes and getting a meal plan ready for the next week.
Since things are a little hectic, I’ve been trying to keep things simple for dinner with our tried and true favorites. Dinners like Chicken Picatta, Honey Soy Chicken and Rice, Ritz Cracker Chicken, and Homemade Sloppy Joes with Jo Jo Potato Wedges have been in heavy rotation around here.
WHAT ARE JO JO POTATOES?
I’m thinking that the term Jo Jo Potatoes may be a midwestern thing, but I’m not entirely sure.
All I know is that when I reference Jo Jo Potatoes to people outside of Ohio, they look at me like I’m a little crazy and I often get, “You mean potato wedges?”
No, I mean Jo Jo Potatoes, you know the kind you can buy at gas stations and convenience stores alongside fried chicken? Then I immediately lose them because I mentioned actually consuming fried food purchased where gasoline is sold.
Ahhh, Ohio – I love you.
In all seriousness, Jo Jo Potatoes are wedges of potatoes that are coated in a seasoned flour and fried to crispy, golden brown perfection. And even though the outsides are nice and crisp, the insides are fluffy like a perfectly baked potato.
HOW TO MAKE FRIED POTATO WEDGES
Don’t let deep frying intimidate you. Making these potato wedges is actually really easy!
Start by soaking your cut potatoes in water for 20 minutes. Because we are using baking or Russet potatoes, they have a lot of starch in them.
Soaking the potatoes before frying them removes some of the excess starch to make them extra crispy!
After their soak, the potatoes get a dredge in some seasoned flour and a short rest before frying.
I have a deep fryer that I prefer to use when frying these potato wedges. It’s easy to use and prevents me from having 375-degree oil splattering in my kitchen.
I use it for everything from these potatoes to fried pickles and apple cider donuts. For me, it was well worth the investment.
However, you can definitely fry these in a large Dutch oven on your stovetop. Just make sure you have at least 3 inches of oil in the pot. I also recommend using a fry thermometer to keep an eye on the oil temperature.
When frying the potatoes, make sure to cook them in small batches. You don’t want to crowd the fryer or bring the temperature of the oil down too much by cooking in large batches.
When the oil temperature comes down too much, that’s when the food soaks up excess oil and becomes greasy! So adjust your heat source as needed to keep the temperature right around 375℉.
The potatoes should be done after about 7-8 minutes. Drain them on paper towels and sprinkle them with a little extra salt while they’re piping hot if you like!
CAN YOU MAKE JO JO POTATOES IN AN AIR FRYER?
I know that everyone’s new favorite gadget is the air fryer. I even have one that I love!
I tried making Jo Jo Potatoes in the air fryer and sadly, they just didn’t turn out the way they do when they are deep fried. The breading got a bit chewy and the texture just wasn’t quite right.
That doesn’t mean you can’t make great potatoes in the air fryer! I’m working on a recipe for you that I hope to share soon. But in the meantime, I recommend sticking to the deep fryer for this exact recipe.
Serve these golden brown beauties up alongside Instant Pot Pulled Pork and enjoy what might just be the perfect meal.
Jo Jo Potato Wedges
Ingredients
- 4 large baking potatoes cut into thick wedges
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch of cayenne optional
- peanut or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Place potato wedges in a bowl of cold water and allow them soak in the water for about 20 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375°F.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour and spices.
- Dredge wet potatoes in flour mixture and allow the potatoes wedges to sit for a few minutes before frying.
- Working in small batches, gently place the potato wedges into the hot oil and fry for 7-8 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain jo jo potato wedges on paper towels.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- If deep frying in a pan on your stovetop, be sure to have about 3 inches of oil in your pan.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I think these are the same potatoes that the Shakeys Pizza places use to serve, could never get enough. Want to make these right now.
They are so good, Shirley. I hope you enjoy them!
-Jamie
That was the #1 thing I missed from Ohio when I moved to NY–jojos and our particular kind of fried chicken (broasted?? My mom calls it broasted.) and it’s so good to be home in OH and able to eat jojos & chicken whenever I want :D ESP since this recipe is GENIUS! Soooo need to try it!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Kayle! I love me some Jo-Jos and chicken too!
Jo Jo’s in So. Calif. came from the Broasted Chicken place. I thought the Broasted chicken was all gone, but we have one here in tiny Yelm, WA! The chicken is wonderful, and the Jo Jo’s are JUST as I remembered them from my childhood. However, they don’t have any flour on them, but the broasting process gives them a great texture both inside and out.
I don’t think we have any broasted chicken places around here, but it sure does sound amazing! Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Jamie
WOW! These are so perfect. They look so hearty and amazing!
Thanks so much, Becky! :)
Couldn’t resist. I got an Air Fryer for myself for Christmas and am having a wonderful time frying without any oil. Your wedges will be made very easily. Thanks for the info.
Gwen-
Awesome! I’ll have to look into an air fryer – do things get crispy?
-Jamie
wow If I wanted fried foods I go to fried foods .com
Julie-
Thanks so much for stopping. My blog is about things I love to eat. Sorry you’re not fond of fried food or French fries.
-Jamie
Can these be baked in the oven?
Here’s a baked version that I have tried and loved: Baked Potato Wedges
-Jamie
How many calories in these potato wedges? Are they as bad for you as french fries?
Linda-
I don’t post nutritional information, but there are plenty of online tools that allow you get a caloric estimate. I’d say these are just as bad as regular fries though.
I hope this helps.
-Jamie
Yes! I’m from Puyallup (south of Seattle) and they’ve also been jo joes to me. Often just joes. The gas station down the street had the best ones and amazing fried chicken!
Thanks so much for stopping by, clearly these aren’t just a midwest thing then! :)
-Jamie
Oh I miss my WA state Jo jos n fresh Ranch dip!
Speaking of Puyallup, in the 1990’s there was a gas station on 176th (turn left on Meridian onto 176th and go miles. It was next to ball fields. Ohhh sooo good.
Or the Lakewood Woodbrook AVE Sw convience store off I-5 exit 123 Thorne lane. In late 1990s was amazing.
When i go to visit WA… i search everywhere for these gems. Soo good.
I was born and raised in Seattle and that’s the only thing I see them called here as well. In fact, we seem to just call them Jo Jos here instead of jo jo potato wedges.
Hi, Ashley! They’re so good, aren’t they?