Crispy Tornado Potatoes

Howdy friends!

It’s always a joy to share some of our favourite ways to enjoy the potatoes we grow right here on our family farm—Alexiou Farms. We’ve been proudly tending these fields for years, and there’s nothing quite like seeing spuds go from soil to table.

Today, I want to share a fun recipe that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family: Tornado Potatoes—those crispy, spiral-cut taters you’ve maybe seen at fairs or festivals. Turns out, they’re easy to make right at home with good farm-fresh potatoes (the best kind, if you ask me!).

Pull up a chair, pour yourself a coffee or a cold drink, and let’s get cooking.

What You’ll Need:

• 4 medium Alexiou Farms potatoes

• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (we like butter around here!)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Wooden or metal skewers

Optional Goodies:

• Grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh chopped herbs (parsley, chives—whatever you’ve got from the garden!)

• Chili flakes for a kick

• Favourite dipping sauces (ranch, spicy mayo, good old ketchup)

How To Make ‘Em:

Prep Your Taters:

Give your potatoes a good scrub. You can peel them if you like, but I say leave the skin on for that nice farm-fresh flavour.

Carefully slide a skewer lengthwise through the center of each potato.

Slice the Spiral:

Now here’s the fun part—grab a sharp knife and cut on an angle as you slowly turn the potato, working your way down the skewer. You’ll end up with a nice spiral.

Gently stretch the spiral out along the skewer. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—it’s homemade!

Season:

Brush the spiraled taters with butter or oil.

Mix up your seasonings (garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper) and sprinkle generously all over.

Cook ‘Em Up:

In the Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F. Lay the skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 25-30 minutes, turning once.

In an Air Fryer: Cook at 375°F for about 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.

Time to Enjoy:

While they’re hot, add your toppings—Parmesan, herbs, maybe a little extra salt. Serve them with your favourite dips and watch ‘em disappear!

Farmer’s Notes:

1. The fresher the potato, the better they hold their shape and crisp up!

2. Feel free to get creative with seasonings. My kids love a little ranch seasoning too.

3. Great for BBQs, family nights, or just because.