Quick & Crispy Patatas Bravas Recipe: Spanish Comfort Magic

Crispy, golden patatas bravas dance with a spicy kick that turns ordinary potatoes into a Spanish street food sensation.

Authentic flavors burst from each crunchy bite, transporting you straight to bustling Barcelona tapas bars.

Chunks of potato emerge perfectly seasoned and irresistibly textured.

Salt and heat mingle in a delicious culinary performance that celebrates simple ingredients.

Paprika adds warmth while garlic infuses depth into this classic dish.

Madrid’s beloved tapa comes alive through careful preparation and bold spices.

Ready to master this iconic Spanish recipe that will impress everyone at your next gathering?

Why Patatas Bravas Packs So Much Flavor

• Spice Up Your Dinner: Transform ordinary potatoes into a vibrant Spanish tapas-style dish bursting with bold, exciting flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Master Complex Cooking with Ease: Break down intimidating restaurant-style recipes into simple steps, allowing home cooks to create restaurant-quality Spanish cuisine without professional training.
• Perfect for Social Gatherings: Impress friends and family with a shareable appetizer that encourages communal dining and sparks engaging conversations around delicious food.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Adjust spice levels and ingredients to suit personal preferences, making this recipe adaptable for different palates and dietary needs.

What Goes Into Patatas Bravas

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that create a crispy, golden base for the dish.
• Olive Oil: Essential for frying potatoes and creating a rich, flavorful foundation.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Provide a tangy and smooth base for the traditional Spanish sauce.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that add depth and complexity to the tomato sauce.

• Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Pepper: Spices that bring warmth, heat, and seasoning to both potatoes and sauce.
• Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice: Key components that create a creamy and zesty garlic aioli.

How To Cook Patatas Bravas Right

Step 1: Slice and Sizzle Potatoes

Grab your potatoes and slice them into bite-sized cubes. Wash them thoroughly and pat completely dry with paper towels.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully drop potato cubes into hot oil, spreading them evenly.

Fry the potatoes until they turn golden brown and develop a crispy exterior, about 10-15 minutes. Gently remove potatoes using a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt

Step 2: Craft Spicy Tomato Sauce

Warm olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until they become soft and translucent.

• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper

Pour crushed tomatoes into the pan and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper to match your taste preferences.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Garlic Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Minced garlic
• Fresh lemon juice

Blend ingredients until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Create Your Delicious Masterpiece

Arrange crispy potatoes on a serving platter.

Generously drizzle with spicy tomato sauce. Add a dollop of garlic sauce on top.

For an extra pop of flavor, sprinkle additional smoked paprika across the dish.

Tips To Master Patatas Bravas

• Perfectly crisp potatoes require thorough drying before frying to achieve a golden, crunchy exterior without excess oil.
• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Maris Piper for the best texture and crispiness when frying.
• Adjust spice levels in tomato sauce and aioli by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper and garlic according to personal heat preference.
• Let potatoes rest on paper towels after frying to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness, ensuring a lighter, less greasy dish.
• Prepare components ahead of time – sauce and aioli can be refrigerated for 2-3 days, making meal preparation faster and more convenient.

Spicy Spins On Patatas Bravas

• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Replace tomato sauce with harissa-infused olive oil and top with crumbled feta cheese for a zesty Mediterranean kick.
• Herb-Infused Comfort: Mix fresh rosemary and thyme into potato seasoning, and create a creamy herb-based aioli with chopped chives and parsley.
• BBQ Ranch Remix: Swap tomato sauce for smoky BBQ sauce and replace garlic aioli with tangy ranch dressing for a southern-style potato experience.
• Truffle Elegance: Drizzle white truffle oil over crispy potatoes, use truffle-infused mayonnaise for aioli, and sprinkle aged Parmesan cheese for a luxurious gourmet version.

What Tastes Great With Patatas Bravas

• Sip Spanish Tempranillo: Bold red wine perfectly complements the spicy, crispy potatoes with its robust flavor and smooth tannins.
• Pair with Crisp Albariño: Refreshing white wine cuts through the richness of the dish, balancing the smoky paprika and creamy aioli.
• Match with Craft Beer: Local hoppy IPA or Spanish-style pale ale provides a zesty counterpoint to the potatoes' spiciness and creamy sauce.
• Serve with Sparkling Sangria: Light, fruity cocktail adds a festive touch and refreshes the palate between bites of the crispy, spicy dish.

How To Keep Patatas Bravas Crisp And Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover potatoes and sauces separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep the crispy potatoes in a single layer to maintain their crunch.
• Freeze: Preserve tomato sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing potatoes as they'll lose their crispy texture.
• Reheat Potatoes: Revive crispy potatoes in a preheated oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes. Spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer to restore crispiness.
• Reheat Sauce: Warm tomato sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of water if too thick.

FAQs For Patatas Bravas Lovers

• What are patatas bravas?

A traditional Spanish tapas dish featuring crispy potatoes topped with spicy tomato sauce and creamy garlic aioli, originating from Madrid and popular throughout Spain.

• Is patatas bravas spicy?

The dish has a mild to moderate heat level from cayenne pepper and smoked paprika in the tomato sauce, which can be adjusted according to personal preference by increasing or reducing these spices.

• Can I bake the potatoes instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake the potatoes in the oven at 425°F for about 25-30 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even crispiness, though frying typically produces a crunchier texture.

Patatas Bravas Recipe

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4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Spanish “Patatas Bravas” bring sizzling heat and crispy potato perfection to your kitchen, dancing with bold tomato sauce and creamy aioli. Culinary adventurers will discover a classic tapas dish that delivers authentic Mediterranean flavor in every golden, fiery bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) olive oil for frying

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1.5 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1.25 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste

Sauce and Accompaniments:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Transform raw potatoes into crispy delights by peeling and cutting into uniform cubes. Thoroughly rinse and completely dry to ensure maximum crispiness.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet at medium-high temperature (375°F). Carefully place potato cubes into hot oil, allowing each piece to develop a golden, crunchy exterior for approximately 12-15 minutes.
3. Remove potatoes using a slotted spoon, transferring to paper towels to absorb excess oil. While still piping hot, dust with smoked paprika, cayenne, and sea salt for intense flavor.
4. Create vibrant tomato sauce by sautéing diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
5. Incorporate smoked paprika and cayenne into the onion mixture, releasing their aromatic oils. Pour in crushed tomatoes and allow sauce to simmer, reducing and thickening for 8-10 minutes.
6. Prepare creamy garlic aioli by whisking mayonnaise with finely minced garlic and fresh lemon juice until smooth and well-combined.
7. Plate crispy potatoes, generously drizzle with spicy tomato sauce, and crown with dollops of zesty garlic aioli. Optionally sprinkle additional smoked paprika for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Potato Selection Matters: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Maris Piper for maximum crispiness and perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Oil Temperature Control: Maintain consistent medium-high heat to ensure even cooking and prevent potatoes from becoming greasy or soggy.
• Drying Technique: Thoroughly pat potatoes dry before frying to achieve extra crispy texture and prevent oil splattering.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap mayonnaise with vegan alternatives like cashew cream or plant-based mayo for dairy-free garlic aioli version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg