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Air Fryer Watermelon Rind Fries with Feta Mint Yogurt

Watermelon rind cut into fry sticks, salt-soaked, seasoned with smoked paprika and cumin, and air fried until the edges char, with a feta-mint yogurt dip.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 160
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the rind fries
  • watermelon rind from 1/4 to 1/2 watermelon, green skin removed, cut into 3-inch by 1/2-inch sticks
  • 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • chili flakes a pinch, optional
For the feta mint yogurt
  • 3/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1-2 tsp lemon juice plus zest
  • 1 small garlic clove grated
  • black pepper

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Sharp knife or peeler
  • Small bowl

Method
 

  1. Cut away all the green skin, leaving the pale rind. Cut into 3-inch sticks about 1/2 inch thick.
  2. Soak the sticks in cold salted water 10 to 15 minutes, then drain and pat very dry.
  3. Toss with the oil and spices, using just enough oil to coat.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Cook in a single layer with space, 10 to 14 minutes, shaking halfway, until the edges char lightly and the centres give a little.
  5. Finish with flaky salt and a squeeze of lemon. Stir the feta, mint, oil, lemon, garlic, and pepper into the yogurt and serve alongside.

Notes

Not too thin — thin sticks shrivel.
Salt-soak and dry hard so they crisp at the edges.
They stay tender in the middle — the char is the point.